Jul 7 | Kim Russell And Her AT Paddle

Watch out for Kim Russell!  Wielding her AT2 Flexi Custom paddle and a winning reputation, this pro is nothing to mess with when it comes to competition. Paddling the fierce rivers of the Northwest, Kim  has had quite the eventful kayaking season .

This Year's Events

Upper Wind River Festival: March 19, 20, 2011
       a.    Location: Carson, WA
       b.    Event: Downriver Race

-1st place Women’s Division, Downriver Race

-2nd place in Combined Men and Women's Race

Summary Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy3RXes0cXc&feature=player_embedded

 Northwest Creeking Competition: April 16, 17, 2011:
       a.    Location: Battle Ground, WA
       b.    Event: Downriver Race

-1st place Women’s Pro, Downriver Race

Kim also took first place in the 5th Annual NW Creeking Competition. Plans were to hold a downriver race on the EF Lewis River, WA Saturday, and a downriver race on Canyon Creek, WA, Sunday. Heavy rain Friday night caused water to rise, and plans to change: the EF Lewis Downriver Race would be held upstream of its typical location, with the finish line located at Sunset Falls. Sunday’s event was cancelled due to high water levels.  For the East Fork of the Lewis race, Pro and Expert women were combined into the same category. About 85 racers came out in full force and raced one super fun course!

 
At the Finish Line on the EF Lewis: NW Creeking Competition

Canoe and Kayak Article:
http://www.canoekayak.com/photos/cranking-northwest-creeking-competition/

Summary Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NhcYAFqdL4&feature=player_embedded

BV Pro Rodeo: May 27-29, 2011
a.    Location: Buena Vista, CO
b.    Event: Freestyle Rodeo

On a ten-day trip to Colorado, Kim took her AT2 Flexi Custom to the Buena Vista Pro Rodeo (her first rodeo in 4 years) and placed 8th place in the Women’s Pro, Freestyle Competition.

Summary Video, one of my pre-lim rides at BV Pro Rodeo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYgfPo0tZyo&feature=player_embedded

   (Photo Copyright Robin Carleton)

On the Scene

Although an avid competitor, Russell enjoys  volunteering at kayaking events and festivals such as the Upper Clackamas River Festival in OR, CKS Paddlefest in CO, and Next Adventure Summer Splash in OR.

Future Plans

This year will be Kim's first time participating in the Eddyflower Vertical Challenge. Even amidst school and a full time job, she paddles as much as she can and raises money for First Descents.

http://www.eddyflower.com/EventDetail.aspx?EventId=54#/home

Kim Russell plans to attend the following events and trips:

July:                 USAFK National Point Series Free-Style Kayak Championship
August:           OR Show- Salt Lake City, Utah
September:    Feather River Festival
October:          Trip to Skookumchuck, BC and a trip to CaliBurnFest, Arcata California


Photos:


Big Falls on Copper Creek, WA. (Photo Copyright Dave Hoffman)

Hagen Gorge, WA. Photo Copyright: Dave Hoffman
 

Cartwheeling at Golden Whitewater Park