Crazy World News
Well, if you read our little local worldwide blog here regularly...you are probably familiar with the Futalefu River in Patagonia, Chile.
This week, the nearby Chaiten Volcano has errupted forcing evacuation of the nearby towns of Esquel, Futalefu and Chaiten.
Many of our very close friends here at KAVU are being drastically effected by this-- as the town of Futa is a melting pot of wonderful international characters. Many of which have made the area a seasonal residence in the area. It is very difficult to gauge the destruction, but Sarah and Sven Rane have stepped up to try and provide some relief help. This week, Sven flew down with some mandatory supplies of first aid, dust masks, water filters and funds. He is preparing to help clean up the aftermath of dead livestock, collapsed roofs, and dealing with whatever the ash has done to the surrounding areas. They have started a fund called the Futaleufu Relief Fund and all of the money donated will go directly to the locals, food, animals and supplies for the cleanup. Any help will go a long way there. If you have the urge to donate, please send to: Check payables to: Futaleufu Relief Fund, P.O. Box 2344 Taos, NM 87571.
Inside KAVU News:
Barry has been globe trotting in the name of the KAVU greater good. In an attempt to branch out into some new production facilities he recently visited Peru to meet with some new peeps.
"I have not been to Lima for 10 years and it has changed for the better! The streets are clean with tons of new buildings and most of all it felt more safe than last time I was there. I would now say it is a even a pretty city as they have done an incredible job developing and utilizing their waterfront. The town of Miraflores is right on a big cliff that stretches for miles with shops, parks and paragliding right there. Below the bluffs the waves crash with numerous beaches and surf breaks-- and all this is right in the city." Barry Barr
From Peru, Barry went straight to China and Hong Kong to meet KAVU VP CFO Joe Pinsoneault. It was just a quick trip to make sure all production was running well.
Here at KAVU, we don't accept production delays. We gots to get that product on the shelf no matter what it takes!
Paddling with the Scotts:
There has been some production delays on Baby. Turns out the motor we bought from Germany and spent the last 3 months custom fitting into the truck was a dud. I was a little directionless last week, and KAVU athletes Katy Scott and Scott Ligare called me up to go boating.
I was a little rusty seeing that it was my first time creeking all year--and straight into one of the best/hardest runs in Cali--Big Kimshu Creek.
I was a little intimidated paddling with some of the best paddlers in Cali: Charlie Center, Jared Nocetti, Scott Ligare, Katy Scott, Justin Patt and Ben.
It was off the couch right into the goods. This drop is a no-scouter right below the Put-in and Justin got a little Freestyle.
Big Kimshu is world famous among core kayakers for its big-clean drops one right after another!
This is a normally portaged drop called Triple Drop. Justin and Charlie fired it up leaving the rest of us with our jaws dropped!
I wish I could count the waterfalls in Cali that look just like this one....its called Frenchies--PERFECT!!
On the end of our second day on Big Kimshu I got stuffed under a boulder. 9 stitches later I realized that I'm off the water for at least 10 days.
Looks like I'm headed out to Montana to go Hang Gliding with the Jeffs this week!














































































































