Reno-Tahoe

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

I am back out west from Colorado. The Teva Mountain Games went well but I am glad that it is over. I raced really well in the head to head race finishing in second in the time trial, less then 5/100’s behind EJ. I also finished second in the actual race, behind EJ, and in front of Tao and Brad Ludden in the final heat. Much to my surprise one of the gate judges said that I missed a mandatory gate, and that resulted in a disqualification, putting E in fourth place. I am not really sure of how exactly that mistake happened but never the less it was disappointing to be disqualified after being so fast all day.The freestyle event in Vail has been my long time nemesis. I have finished in the top three there five out of the six time that I have competed and have never won. This year I finished third which was again disappointing, but the good news is that we once again had a Jackson Kayak sweep. Actually 5 of the 6 medals from the men’s and women’s classes went to Jackson Kayaks. I like to call that DOMINATION! EJ won and Stephen was seond, both having unbelievable rides.So, I drove back to Reno after the event as fast as I could trying for an unofficial World Record. The way I see it is that if I wasn’t speeding I was wasting time. I made it from Vail to Reno in 12 hours and 15 minutes. You might want to Map Quest that one to get full appreciation.I spent one day in Reno, surfed at the play park,and then hit the road for the Northern California Coast, and the home of Kokatat. I will be here until Thursday morning and then it is back to Reno for a few days.I am looking forward to those days at home.

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

I have been in Colorado for over two weeks now and it has been a blast. I have participated in dealer sales events, taught clinics, paddled some creeks, talked at kayak clubs, and generally had a great time.

Yesterday was a really big event called the Paddler magazine Invitational.

It was held in Steamboat Springs and was a very unique event. There was a race and a freestyle event with the goal of finding out who the best all around kayaker is. Anybody who knows me knows that I wouldn’t miss any opportunity to compete in this format. In the morning we had an extreme race on Fish Creek. I had what I thought to be a great run but ended up in third place. Then in the afternoon we had the freestyle competition which I was very confident about. In the end I won the rodeo and most importantly won the Over All Competition, proving that at the least on that day I was the best.

After many disappointing third place finished this year it felt really good to win a big event such as this.

Up next is the Teva Mountain Games. I will update you on that when it is finished.

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

The third annual Reno River Festival was once again a great success. We couldn’t have asked for better weather and the local community as well as the kayaking community was there in full force. I am not sure of the numbers but I am sure that the foot traffic was well into the thousands.

This year we had high water and the freestyle competition was moved upstream to number two. It seemed to work well as a competition feature, and was certainly better then a lot of holes that I have competed in. I paddled well all day, never having a ride below 112 points, but in the end finished third. EJ and Steven Wright paddled awesome, as usual, and were able to finish first and second. Yet another Jackson Kayak sweep! The women also paddled really well and were very competitive. Tanya Faux finished first, Nikki Kelly was second, and Emily Jackson finished in a strong third.

Today was the Boater Cross and it was really fun to be part of and to watch.

Like most Boater Cross events it was full on racing and constant entertainment. EJ put his speed to good use and won, Bryan Kirk was second, and once again I was third.

I seem to have the third place curse going so far this year. At the Brush Creek Extreme Race I finished third; At the American River Fest I finished third; At the Reno River Fest freestyle I finished third: At the Boater Cross Time trial I fished third; and at the Boater Cross final I fished third. It is kind of frustrating but I know that I am paddling well, so I expect the curse to be gone by the next time I compete.

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

2 weekends ago, Steven Wright and I headed up to Oregon for a couple of dealer visits with Alder Creek, and some great paddling. Saturday we visited the Portland store and then later headed up to Joe Bob’s which was epic. It was the best feature that I have ever seen at Bob’s and we had a great time.

Sunday morning we visited the Alder creek store in bend, helped out with a big boat demo, and then went kayaking at a hole called Area 51. I could tell you how good it was, but its called Area 51 for a reason.

We drove back to Reno late Sunday night and have been paddling here ever since. (Except for when Lisa and I have been doing yard work.) The river is high and it is hard to say for sure where the competition will be, but it will be great regardless.

Last Saturday we had a Jackson kayak Fun Tour event here in Reno. We met at the white water park at 1:00 with most of the Team, demo boats, high water, warm weather, and it was generally a great time.

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

2 weekends ago, Steven Wright and I headed up to Oregon for a couple of dealer visits with Alder Creek, and some great paddling. Saturday we visited the Portland store and then later headed up to Joe Bob’s which was epic. It was the best feature that I have ever seen at Bob’s and we had a great time. Sunday morning we visited the Alder creek store in bend, helped out with a big boat demo, and then went kayaking at a hole called Area 51. I could tell you how good it was, but its called Area 51 for a reason.We drove back to Reno late Sunday night and have been paddling here ever since. (Except for when Lisa and I have been doing yard work.) The river is high and it is hard to say for sure where the competition will be, but it will be great regardless.Last Saturday we had a Jackson kayak Fun Tour event here in Reno. We met at the white water park at 1:00 with most of the Team, demo boats, high water, warm weather, and it was generally a great time.

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

I left for the American River Festival last Thursdays morning. Lisa and I arrived at around noon, met up with the Jackson’s and headed up the river to the feature that we thought the freestyle competition would be. It was a hole just upstream of a rapid called Miya, and it was really good. We played there for a couple of hours timing rides and generally getting ready for the competition.

The next morning we got the word that the location for the event had been changed, so we headed just down river to that small hole and again practiced for the event. This hole was really small but we stayed positive about it, and everyone seemed to be doing a lot with what we had.

That night we went to the party at the River Store were we got the new update about the locations for the competition. It was to now be a freestyle through the rapid at Trouble Maker Rapid. So, the morning of the event we were all out practicing when we found a small breaking wave with eddy access just above the rapid. As a group we decided that this was the best option, so the event was now for sure going to be there.

In prelims I had good rides and ended up going to finals in first place.

Steven Wright was in second and EJ was in third. Finals were really close, but Steven was able to pull of a great McNasty on the small wave and won. EJ had a ride much like mine only he was able to get a little more pop on his moves, so he finished second, and for the second weekend in a row I finished third.

I was really upset to not have won, but I know that I am paddling well and am looking forward to the next event.

I am back in Reno now and will be until Friday when Steven and I drive to Portland and then Bend to do a couple of clinics.

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

I left last Wednesday for the East fork of the Kaweah, in the Southern Sierra. Thursday morning we put on the river at the highest flow that most of had done it. We had an excellent group of people and it turned out to be a great day on one of my favorite day runs in the world. We had to walk the best water fall rapid on the river because the river was simply to high, but other then that everything was as run able, or not run able, as usual.

That night I drove the three hours south to Kernville. The next morning I met up with the Jackson’s and we did a few practice runs on Brush creek, the location of the extreme race the next day. The water was a lot higher then I had ever seen on that creek and it only made it that much better.

Saturday was the Brush Creek Extreme Race, and with lots of water and lots of competitors it was sure to be a great race. It seemed as if everyone was there. There were Olympians, World Champions, Extreme racing Champions, expedition kayakers, and everyone in between. Eric Jackson came out hard and won the race. Dave Garinger finished second, and I finished third. I always compete to win, and that is always the goal, but I didn’t feel bad about finishing third. I have high expectations for the races that I am going to be in this year.

Saturday night I went out on the Slalom course and did a work out in the new Jackson Kayak Ricochet. I had Eric on the bank giving me instruction, and that was awesome. It was the first time that I had been in one of the new slalom boats and it is definitely something that I am going to do more of.

Sunday Morning I met my group of people who had signed up for my play boating clinic. We headed up the river to a small wave and I spent the next couple of hours helping everyone to learn and refine their play boating skills. I think that everyone had a great time and I know that it was fun for me to see everyone learning.

When I left Kernville to drive home it was 75 degrees. Four hours latter it was 25 degrees and snowing like crazy. Last night it snowed 3 inches here in Reno, but seems to be melting off pretty quick. I am hoping that it gets warm fast because I am meeting Jason Craig in two hours at the white water park. I cant tell you how ready for summer I am!

The American River Festival is this next weekend, so I will heading back over the mountain in a couple of days.

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

I left last Wednesday for the East fork of the Kaweah, in the Southern Sierra. Thursday morning we put on the river at the highest flow that most of had done it. We had an excellent group of people and it turned out to be a great day on one of my favorite day runs in the world. We had to walk the best water fall rapid on the river because the river was simply to high, but other then that everything was as run able, or not run able, as usual.That night I drove the three hours south to Kernville. The next morning I met up with the Jackson’s and we did a few practice runs on Brush creek, the location of the extreme race the next day. The water was a lot higher then I had ever seen on that creek and it only made it that much better.Saturday was the Brush Creek Extreme Race, and with lots of water and lots of competitors it was sure to be a great race. It seemed as if everyone was there. There were Olympians, World Champions, Extreme racing Champions, expedition kayakers, and everyone in between. Eric Jackson came out hard and won the race. Dave Garinger finished second, and I finished third. I always compete to win, and that is always the goal, but I didn’t feel bad about finishing third. I have high expectations for the races that I am going to be in this year.Saturday night I went out on the Slalom course and did a work out in the new Jackson Kayak Ricochet. I had Eric on the bank giving me instruction, and that was awesome. It was the first time that I had been in one of the new slalom boats and it is definitely something that I am going to do more of.Sunday Morning I met my group of people who had signed up for my play boating clinic. We headed up the river to a small wave and I spent the next couple of hours helping everyone to learn and refine their play boating skills. I think that everyone had a great time and I know that it was fun for me to see everyone learning.When I left Kernville to drive home it was 75 degrees. Four hours latter it was 25 degrees and snowing like crazy. Last night it snowed 3 inches here in Reno, but seems to be melting off pretty quick. I am hoping that it gets warm fast because I am meeting Jason Craig in two hours at the white water park. I cant tell you how ready for summer I am!The American River Festival is this next weekend, so I will heading back over the mountain in a couple of days.

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

Last Saturday Lisa and I went to Napa and we did the usual wine tour, which was a first for me. It is important to know that my attention span is fairly short and I hardly ever drink, so maybe a whole day spent tasting wine isn’t the ideal situation for me. It was however a lot of fun for a few hours.

After that all of the wines started to taste the same to me, I was feeling a little bit tipsy, and I was pretty much ready for a nap. That night we headed toward the coast so that we could be at the beach early the next day.

Sunday we spent a couple of hours walking on the beach while the two dogs were absolutely flipping out. Porter, the older of the two, was running up and down the beach at top speed harassing anything living or dead that he felt necessary, and he must have found it necessary to harass everything. I wish that I had half of the athletic ability of that dog. Cash, our 4 month old pup wanted to find and eat every dead thing on the beach, and I mean everything. He also was obsessed with the seagulls and a couple of times chased them right out into the surf, with no fear at all of the water. Very cute!

We left the beach at around noon, and after a quick stop at In-And-Out-Burger we were back in Reno at around 4 o’clock, just in time for me to get a quick paddle in down town.

This week I have been paddling with Macy a bunch. He is all fired up to compete in the River Festival, and is paddling really well. He will hurt the feelings of many invited athletes.

At feature number 5 on the white water course there is a really good mystery move spot right now. I have never been very good at mystery moves, probably because I never practice them, so it is a bunch of fun to spend 15 or 20 minutes at the end of a session doing them. Macy is really good at them, and to be honest, it really motivates me to get it figured out as well.

This weekend we are having a bachelor party here in Reno for our best friend Taylor Robertson. It should be a wild couple of days. I am actually kind of scared, as I feel like I should have trained for such an occasion. My alcohol tolerance is at an all time low, and I am in bed by 9:30 at the latest anymore. It could be a ruff one!

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Jay Kincaid, professional kayaker, has been paddling over half of his lifetime, and is back to blog about his life as a professional kayaker living in Reno, NV. As 2003 Freestyle Kayaking World Champion, 2001 U.S. National Champion and three-time U.S. Point Series Champion, Jay is the most proud of the many first descents he’s done on rivers and waterfalls in his native Oregon and in California.

Last Saturday Lisa and I went to Napa and we did the usual wine tour, which was a first for me. It is important to know that my attention span is fairly short and I hardly ever drink, so maybe a whole day spent tasting wine isn’t the ideal situation for me. It was however a lot of fun for a few hours. After that all of the wines started to taste the same to me, I was feeling a little bit tipsy, and I was pretty much ready for a nap. That night we headed toward the coast so that we could be at the beach early the next day. Sunday we spent a couple of hours walking on the beach while the two dogs were absolutely flipping out. Porter, the older of the two, was running up and down the beach at top speed harassing anything living or dead that he felt necessary, and he must have found it necessary to harass everything. I wish that I had half of the athletic ability of that dog. Cash, our 4 month old pup wanted to find and eat every dead thing on the beach, and I mean everything. He also was obsessed with the seagulls and a couple of times chased them right out into the surf, with no fear at all of the water. Very cute!We left the beach at around noon, and after a quick stop at In-And-Out-Burger we were back in Reno at around 4 o’clock, just in time for me to get a quick paddle in down town.This week I have been paddling with Macy a bunch. He is all fired up to compete in the River Festival, and is paddling really well. He will hurt the feelings of many invited athletes.At feature number 5 on the white water course there is a really good mystery move spot right now. I have never been very good at mystery moves, probably because I never practice them, so it is a bunch of fun to spend 15 or 20 minutes at the end of a session doing them. Macy is really good at them, and to be honest, it really motivates me to get it figured out as well.This weekend we are having a bachelor party here in Reno for our best friend Taylor Robertson. It should be a wild couple of days. I am actually kind of scared, as I feel like I should have trained for such an occasion. My alcohol tolerance is at an all time low, and I am in bed by 9:30 at the latest anymore. It could be a ruff one!