Immersion Research 2010

Jesse,

I just finished a expedition in Patagonia, Chile, Archipielago Chonos and I did use the Ragnorak from IR this paddle jacket is great, this jacket save my life, i did live in this jacket almost 24 hrs for 60 days and the Jacket performed excellent.

Thanks!  Here are some photos del viaje, che!

Oscar Manguy
ACA Sea Kayak Instructor
UABCS Teacher
LNT Master
WFR certification
oscarmanguy.blogspot.com

Madison, Wisconsin is a great place to get started and learn about the sport of paddling!  A city that is rich with triathlon’s and a highly active community in all outdoor activities, this show is a great way to learn and experience what both touring, and whitewater kayaking is all about- there will likely be some good SUP stuff going on as well.  Stop by the IR booth at the show this weekend (March 12-14th) and check out how to properly dress and layer for your outings!  You can check out details HERE.  See you there!

This was a print from a t-shirt we made in 2001- the peak of the whitewater kayaking explosion. If the shirt seems a little non-sensical, also understand that this was the same year that kayaking was growing about 150%, and we were offering a $15,000 cash prize purse for the IR Triple Crown. At the time, we were imagining the upward curve of paddlesports sales to track a path similar to surfing or snowboarding- not the gentle arrow-ark it decided pursue instead. But that summer the marketing lessons of our soon-to-be sister sports seemed clear: spend big and act like you don’t care.

So life on the outside is treating me pretty well. Definitely a million times more stressful than the kayak industry, but it is funny how consulting with a surgeon during a difficult surgery is just like kayaking. You know that feeling you get when you are putting your skirt on before peeling out in something big, and you know you’ve got the skills, but are still white knuckled? Well, that’s pretty much the feeling I get during a complicated procedure, and thinking of all those paddling moments makes it all good.

Anyhow, in other news, I recently got engaged during an amazing ski trip out to Telluride and Silverton, CO.

“Girl Jess”, as she is affectionately known, due to the abundance of Jess’s and Jesse’s in my world (Jesse Becker, Jesse Wittemore (IR peeps), Jess Hartmann, Jesse Wilson and Jesse Shimrock (local paddlers), is now stuck with “that stinky dude”, her name for me as we met teaching skiing, and I have this aversion to washing my gear.

Many thanks to Cari Mackey and Erik Dalton from The Jagged Edge shop in Telluride for rolling out the red carpet for us! Got to also give a shout out to Stan Prichard, a local paddler in Telluride/Silverton who was our guide for an epic day at Silverton.

Just how desperate are you??

Vinter holidays kicked off last week and it was honestly about time!! After a long period at -30, I felt a hungry desire to hit warmer streches. Well motivated and strongly convinced that the south coast of Stavanger-Norway was the place to go as last year, we packed the van, stashed the kayaks on top and hit the road…

But when we got there, we were only faced to more snow and minus degrees. The second morning when we woke up in the humid and cold van, 10cm of fresh snow covered our gear that was hanging outside. I remember crying 3 times within the first 2 hours, warming my fingers under my tears, trying to get a little life despite the numbness. On the third day, after another cold night in the wet van and more fresh snow, we decided that it was time to have a last session before heading up again. 12 hours later and a long part in a snow storm in a convoy on the mountain plateau, we were home sweet home again.

We all have things we would die for at moments. Paddling was it for me then.
–
Valerie Bertrand
Geilo-Norway

IR might as well go ahead and give Heehaw Jones a full sponsorship ride after this magical video production. Heehaw Jones Productions and some other guys present IR’s Layering line.

Hello everyone,
Checkin in from Pucon Chile this week. Demshitz has some quality kayak porn for your enjoyment or frustration. I know personally I hate watching other people kayak if I can’t have the pleasure of doing so myself, especially if its really cold and/or snowing outside. But what the heck, watch Demshitz anyway.
Dashboard Empanada teaser

Here is a cool edit created by Demshitz paddler Isaac Levinson of Demshitz’s most favorite river in the world. Rio Nevado top to bottom POV with Isaac and Evan Garcia

back stateside next month. filming steadily. we got shots in the disco last night. peace 
Jared

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sorry-youre-not-actually-cool-enough-to-wear-a-plaid-drytop/313521494434

But I am most certainly cool enough to update my blog wearing gigantic yellow sunglasses from Orosi- Yeaaauuhhh!

There are not too many places in the US where you can hit up the river on one day, and play in the snow the next- Bend is one of those places!  Flow this time of year aren’t necessarily optimal, but there was still plenty of H2O to have a good time!  ~Jesse~

John,

Just wanted to let you know that I’m not gonna have time to do that blog post I said I’d do.  But here are those pictures you asked for.

Sorry to disappoint.

Sincerely,

Spencer