Guest Blog Jimmy
We have been kayaking and coaching with Jimmy for a number of years now and it has been fantastic to see not only how much he has improved over the years but the confidence he now has when kayaking whitewater.
Jimmy has been on quite a few of our Classic Austria Class 3-4 trips plus he has also kayaked on our Chile Road Trip and our Himalayas Class 3-4 Trip to India
We certainly look forward to welcoming Jimmy again this year on a course or trip with the Kayak School and we hope you enjoy his thoughts of the Classic Austria Class 3-4 trip we run throughout the Summer….
Fellow kayakers, as I’m writing this the snow is starting to melt partially outside my house in Sweden.
This is the time of the year when the itch or to say more, the urge to kayak starts roaming inside me. Also it is the time when I ask myself where the h*ll those winter months for training in the gym and watching kayaking videos went!?
So, while waiting for the snow to melt and the rivers to rise, I’m taking a trip down memory lane. I have plenty of great photos that Steve from Kayak School Arlberg has taken over the years to remind of some of the amazing places I have kayaked around the world!
Kayaking on the Imst Gorge on a glorious Summers day in Austria
I have been on the Classic Austria Course and Trip (aiming at the class 3-4 paddler) a few times. Why have I been back on it more than once you may ask? Well, it’s amazing for me! It suits me very well and that comes down to Kayak School Arlberg with Steve, Ute and the rest of the team (hey Stanzin). They are fantastic at evaluating where you are and what can help you progress. I have really progressed from my first trip and that has been from encouragement and even being pushed a little but in a very positive way. We all are capable of more than we assume (that is my point of view anyway).
Austria has an impressive amount of diversity when it comes to whitewater, and Steve and Ute know where and when to go so you’ll never get a day off due to bad weather or river levels such as the dams not releasing water. Me being a person of planning let’s great as once I arrive in Austria I just go with the plan the Team set out for the days kayaking and it is great way to relax and mentally unwind while on holiday.
Kayak School Arlberg is also very adaptable, for instance, I jumped off the train and Steve picked me up so I could join them on an afternoon lap of the lower Oetz, it is a favourite of mine and what a way to start my holiday!
Local knowledge is so valuable and that is why I prefer to go with Kayak School Arlberg. that way you get the best option for the day be it being coached on a certain feature or guided and led down some incredible whitewater that Austria has to offer. This has resulted in not only a great experience but huge progress in my technique and skills.
With the Classic trip you will also get to go to Bavaria, Germany if the River Loisach has a good level. I went on it several years back and it was sooo good! Then I have waited for years to go back but the levels have been too low (due to when I can visit Austria). However, last year I we had some big Summer rainfall and the river was pumping! What a day, it tested my nerve but a positive thing with Steve and Ute is that they know your limits both technically and mentally and will not take you on something just for the sake of it!
I also kayaked in the stunning region of the Engadine in Switzerland. It is a fantastic day out kayaking on the beautiful action packed Giarsun Gorge and then the mellower Schuls Gorge downstream.
With the Classic trip I have kayaked a variety of rivers from creeks to big water and that makes it so fun. The diversity of the rivers and sections has helped me a lot in learning how to approach the different kinds of whitewater. Also as I have mentioned before, Steve takes mind blowing photos and great videos that helps me understand what to work on and what to be proud of!
When I am there the Kayak School accommodate me with Piltriquitron Lodging in St.Anton am Arlberg. Connie and Jacob make me feel extremely welcome and I love talking to them about their travels and expeditions that have done with their skis around the world. The accommodation is perfect, the breakfasts are huge and just what you need for another mega days kayaking in the Austrian Alps!!
So, in one week if the pants stays on and the stars align you will get to paddle in three countries with very different styles of whitewater! All I can say is just go for it!
Kayak Austria
Kayaking in the Himalayas
You will come back a better kayaker and experience a beautiful country with super friendly people and even better is that you will very rarely see anyone else on the river.
In-fact Steve sometimes apologises if we see other kayakers, that is how good it is to kayak in Austria!!!
I am already looking forward to my next kayaking trip with the team at Kayak School Arlberg and hopefully I will be heading back to the Indian Himalayas or Chile at the end of the year as well.
Safe lines on the river..
Jimmy