Spring has come to Central Oregon, and we’re getting some nice sunny days with a little bit of warm weather. After spending all winter in the pool perfecting my eskimo roll I’ve finally had a chance to practice in some moving water. Two weeks ago on the McKenzie River I hit my first combat roll on Neil’s wave. I was completely stoked, and it was even sweeter because my coaches, Alex Templar and Maddie Thies from Current Experiences in Bend were there to see it.
Since then I took delivery of a new Jackson 4 Fun from Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe shop, and have been practicing my rolls in 1st Street rapids.
Rolling at 1st St Rapids from Philip Robert on Vimeo.
This past weekend my friend Don O’Brien and I did a run on the upper Deschutes that we call “Big Eddy.” The Notch is a wicked drop with a nasty lateral wave, and my new boat got a little squirrelly. So this ended up being my 2nd combat roll, and I have it in the video below.
Philip Runs Big Eddy from Philip Robert on Vimeo.
Don O’Brien running the Notch in Big Eddy. He really styled it!
Don O’Brien running Big Eddy from Philip Robert on Vimeo.
This year is going to be Epic. Next weekend I’m out on the North Umpqua with Current Experiences and I have some big stories coming up this summer.
