Thursday, September 21, 2006
LEVEL SIX MINI PUTT GOLF DAY!
Friday September 15th was the day....The day of the Level Six staff mini putt challenge (aka.Staff appreciation day!). But this was no ordinary year, oh no. This years event was accompanied by non other than, Dave Nieuwenhuis and Billy Harris.
The day started off at Kelseys with a pitcher of beer, and a plate of wings. It then continued with a quick visit to the local LCBO for a variety of choices in beverages, after Dave ever so generously brought his monthly gift of Slushies to all of us hard working L6 Staff members. (Notice the "slushie" on the ground of this photo).Billy showed extreme determination after many attempts to drive his ball from the water, after his ball unluckily made it's way into a deep bed of water that was placed ever so nicely on the course. Unfortunately we do not have any photos of this particular situation to share with you...but I'm sure you can all imagine! Dave and Stig also showed some extreme talent with their "hole in ones". After a short break of entertainment in the "Dave and Billy Wrestling Show", we were able to continue on with our mission. ("I have to say that I still cannot believe we were not kicked off the course that day" says Amber)
Our fierce leader, Tyler Lawlor was in the lead for most of the day....needless to say, his vision became more and more blurred as the game went on.....and the office girl Amber Curtis did not give up without a fight. She brought the game to a tie for a sudden death overtime...
So there they were, Amber and Tyler, tied for the Championship, and chance at a prize of a container of wine...
Tensions were high, concentration was key, and game faces were on!
After 4 shots from Amber, Tyler sets up for his final put, which could potential be the winning putt.
But then.....He blows it, Ladies and gentlemen, he blows it. Not once, but twice he misses his shot. Amber leans over in laughter for the win, while Stig laughs directly in Tylers face.
Note from Amber: "Spending a day with 5 drunk guys is like spending a day with 8 year old boys high on sugar....WOW"
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
TEAM L6 STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE.....
Photographer:Pete Woods
The European Freestyle Kayak Championships recently took place, and we are pleased to annouce that Level Six team member James Reeves took silver in the ‘Squirt’ category – "no jokes please" says James.
The event will be shown on Sky sports on the follow dates/times(It will be shown at the following times plus repeats on Sport Nation):
21st September. 4pm Sky Sports Extra.
21st September. 10pm Sky Sports Extra.
22nd September. 1am Sky Sports 2 Digital
(Subject to time changes by Sky Sports).”
"Thanks to Level 6, Necky, Robin Hood Watersports and Roko Health Clubs".
Regards,
James Reeves
Photographer:Pete Woods
The European Freestyle Kayak Championships recently took place, and we are pleased to annouce that Level Six team member James Reeves took silver in the ‘Squirt’ category – "no jokes please" says James.
The event will be shown on Sky sports on the follow dates/times(It will be shown at the following times plus repeats on Sport Nation):
21st September. 4pm Sky Sports Extra.
21st September. 10pm Sky Sports Extra.
22nd September. 1am Sky Sports 2 Digital
(Subject to time changes by Sky Sports).”
"Thanks to Level 6, Necky, Robin Hood Watersports and Roko Health Clubs".
Regards,
James Reeves
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
LEVEL SIX TEAM MEMBERS HEADING TO WORLD'S NEXT YEAR!
Photo By:Dominique Gauthier
Photo By:Dominique Gauthier
Photo By:John Elliot
Photo By:Guillaume La Rue
Level Six Team Member Guillaume La Rue (Top) makes Canadian Team Trials after placing 1st in the Men's C1 Category at the team trials, held at Garborator Wave on the Ottawa River on Aug 29th, 2006. Guillaume is also the official winner of the 2006 World Cup, which was the first year for the event. Guillaume has also claimed the North American Cup...Way to kick some butt Guillaume!
Level Six Team Member Tyler Curtis (left) also makes the Canadian Team after placing 3rd in the Men's K1 Pro Category at the team trials.
Joel Kowalski (right) will be the first alternative in the Men's K1 Pro Category to go to the Worlds next year should someone else be unable to attend.
Dominique Gauthier (centre), also part of Team L6, will be competiting in the Canadian women's category.
We would also like to say congratulations to Paul Danks for placing 2nd at the team trials in the Men's C1 Category.
Way to go guys and gal, we are so proud of you!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Level Six in Tibet
In July 2006 Level Six U.K. team members Sammy Robinson and Tom Hughes escaped the never ending drought that is U.K. paddling and paddled in the "Abode of Snows"; Tibet. In the course of a five week expedition they, and fellow team members Darryl Sergisson, Andy "Rrrroundy" Round, "Crazy" Dave Thomson, and "Dapper" Daz Clarkson, knocked off over twenty different rivers including nine first descents. In the interests of brevity we bring you one...
The Rong Chu flows down the north side of a large lump of rock we know as Mount Everest. We'd kayaked down the South Side ( Dudh Khosi in Nepal)in 1999 and 2004 so were keen to paddle down the North (Rongbuk) side so that we'd become the first people ever to kayak down both sides of a large, but well known, boulder.
Getting to the river required some alternative transport. Much better than walking though.
Arriving at Everest Base Camp with inconveniently shaped backpacks tends to draw a crowd. It was here that we came to understand that paddling at altitude is something of a problem; being hairy side up is barely essential when the air has no oxygen in it but a nasty side effect means that all the foam in your kit expands to crazy proportions... lifejackets get tight, pillars distort hulls and helmet linings crush skulls. Even changing to put on the water is an exertion!
The river, happily, exceeded all expectations. Constant Alpine class four, five and for those willing at nearly 19 000 feet class 5+ ( I walked). Here's some images to tempt your pallet...
Dave narrowly avoids an early bath on the Rong.
Tom and Dave fight for an eddy. There are no actual eddies in Tibet, merely slightly less fast water.
Sammy Robinson on the Rong Chu.
For those of you interested in paddling in Tibet here's some golden rules;
1) Don't expect eddies... there aren't any
2) Any eddies you find will be occupied by a yak
3) Everything you find in Tibet is bigger than it looks from the side
4) Evereything you find in Tibet is faster than it looks from the side
5) Everything you find in Tibet is two classes harder than it looks from the side
6) Follow the orange kayak
7) There are plenty of yaks already in Tibet ( punning is no substitute for a sense of humour!)
Many thanks; Level Six, Big Agnes, Liquidlogic.
Logistics provided by Chris Jones, Windhorse Tibet.
Words: Tom Hughes
Pictures: Tom Hughes, Andy Round, Darryl Sergisson
In July 2006 Level Six U.K. team members Sammy Robinson and Tom Hughes escaped the never ending drought that is U.K. paddling and paddled in the "Abode of Snows"; Tibet. In the course of a five week expedition they, and fellow team members Darryl Sergisson, Andy "Rrrroundy" Round, "Crazy" Dave Thomson, and "Dapper" Daz Clarkson, knocked off over twenty different rivers including nine first descents. In the interests of brevity we bring you one...
The Rong Chu flows down the north side of a large lump of rock we know as Mount Everest. We'd kayaked down the South Side ( Dudh Khosi in Nepal)in 1999 and 2004 so were keen to paddle down the North (Rongbuk) side so that we'd become the first people ever to kayak down both sides of a large, but well known, boulder.
Getting to the river required some alternative transport. Much better than walking though.
Arriving at Everest Base Camp with inconveniently shaped backpacks tends to draw a crowd. It was here that we came to understand that paddling at altitude is something of a problem; being hairy side up is barely essential when the air has no oxygen in it but a nasty side effect means that all the foam in your kit expands to crazy proportions... lifejackets get tight, pillars distort hulls and helmet linings crush skulls. Even changing to put on the water is an exertion!
The river, happily, exceeded all expectations. Constant Alpine class four, five and for those willing at nearly 19 000 feet class 5+ ( I walked). Here's some images to tempt your pallet...
Dave narrowly avoids an early bath on the Rong.
Tom and Dave fight for an eddy. There are no actual eddies in Tibet, merely slightly less fast water.
Sammy Robinson on the Rong Chu.
For those of you interested in paddling in Tibet here's some golden rules;
1) Don't expect eddies... there aren't any
2) Any eddies you find will be occupied by a yak
3) Everything you find in Tibet is bigger than it looks from the side
4) Evereything you find in Tibet is faster than it looks from the side
5) Everything you find in Tibet is two classes harder than it looks from the side
6) Follow the orange kayak
7) There are plenty of yaks already in Tibet ( punning is no substitute for a sense of humour!)
Many thanks; Level Six, Big Agnes, Liquidlogic.
Logistics provided by Chris Jones, Windhorse Tibet.
Words: Tom Hughes
Pictures: Tom Hughes, Andy Round, Darryl Sergisson
