MISSION: with billy harris

Mission: War With Billy a long road back.

2012-01-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

Its the false fears I have that have taken me from paddling. I have stepped back because of them, scared. I fear loosing, I fear that it will take all my resources away, even hurt my family etc etc. I have built up many false walls around me to stop me from the thing that I love, kayaking, skimming on water, retained in a hydrolic filled with potential power. When you do feal this kind of fear, it eats away at your soul, tears you down one piece at a time one small bit, by one small bit. Your words become darker, your mind wanders to that place that claims that you should be something you are not, something that you should be. The whole time you are not just becoming someone else, but hurting your self while building up a cage around you. I have made, hills to climb that weren't there, bars, barriers, that are all there in my mind but are as false as my fear. But I have built these walls up, they sorround me now. I take full responsibility, sabotaging myself one misspoken word at at time, one ridiculous decision at a time.

This year will be about my long journey back. I built these walls, now in 2012, I will begin to tear these walls all down. I am not claiming that I will come back in 2012 and become world champion. I am not claiming that this is something I can do, well not yet.! But I am saying that one decision at a time I will reclaim my mind, my heart. I want to find the old passion, deep buring desire to be better every day. I invite you to join me on this new mission, I can't say that I will be successful. I can't even say that I will be able to break these walls down. From where I stand they look tall, thick with my fears. However here I stand, sledge in hand.

one great reason to be better.

So it begins.

Mission: Live and Die in Character

2011-09-12T04:58:00.000-07:00

Family time with Mya my niece

Its the End of the season for Billy Harris it went by like a freight train. They never go by slowly really each year seems to go faster and faster adn I get to sprout another grey hair as each month passes. Kayaking this year has seen the new boat has been really good to me. The Rock Star large for me at 210 lbs has been fantastic! Also getting better and better are the kids in the area. For me its been a great year and a harsh year in many ways. I have been working and managing a new career, paddling early in the morning and in the evenings Teaching and running my own little kayak school. Thank you all so much for coming to see me by the way.

During this however about a month ago my back went all wonky. Nothing that won't get better, but It has in many ways really made me suck my thumb a bit. I would like to say I have taken it in stride but I haven't. I have been moping about the house, worried that all that I train for is slipping away. In turn I have had to be off the water for more than a month. Sure I get out to teach, and I always do a couple loops or take a ride on garb, but its not been the same since I tweaked it. I can't put any real power into the movements without a preconceived risk on my part and that mentality really works against you. As an athlete, and like most things you have a curve in your performance. I know this because of a couple factors, my game isn't as tight as it used to be, full stop. Sure the grey hairs I keep finding in the mirror aren't helping my mind at all, but thats really an excuse more than anything else. I just have to slow down wait to heal, and this winter will be a great time to do that I think.

Thank you all for supporting my kayak school this year. It has been very nice to teach so many of you I get great feedback and to be honest I live vicariously through each of you . IF you have taken a lesson from me you know that the end of each lesson I ask, "What did you learn today, that will effect change in your paddling". I also often give out homework assignments as well on more cerebral things too but. But I too have learned much and here is what I have learned so far this year.

Your life is what you make it, but its your attitude that makes it happen. The attitude on the rough days spells out who you are not on the good days.
You can't always get to go paddling, no matter how much you would like to.
If you are a teacher you can't teach everyone, when that happens its your job to send them on to somone that can teach them in a different way.
Airscrews are a beautiful way to ruin a perfectly healthy back. 50 or 60 at garborator will do a real number on them.
Last but not least, Festivals, kayaking competitions, both freestyle and downriver are great opportunities to get better. ATTEND them, you learn so much about yourself.

Mission ROck StAr Success!!!!!!!!!!! er failure.

2011-06-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

I own and run my own little kayak school, my sole minion and I decided it was high time for me to pic up my boats from Jackson we pile into my trusty er, rusty old CRV and we are off.

SideBar. Carly is Going to have a baby, I have decided not to go to worlds for the first time since 1999. Painful, depressing, sad, heart wrenching but necessary. Carly is not going to be a sugar momma for a little while and one of us has to make money. Mango the dog only fetches so show circuit money wasn't much of an option. My 100,000 a year contract from Jackson and show business was just bearly keeping my princess happy enough. so I have to work a bunch for us to continues our lavish lifestyle. So, I miss worlds for a year to make some money that's why my name won't be found at worlds this year.

Not mango but my buddies dog..... So funny.

Now Back to the Boat pick up. I roll into the Border to pick up my boats and my buddy beside me is growing his beard out for 80's Party night. Now I am not gonna lie, I would have to start growing a year in advance to have anything substantial for 80's night so I don't bother. But That beard I know that got us pulled over for the old Rubber glove inspection. I go to pull in for the inspection and the front end of my car falls off. Well just the tire, stearing arm, cv, ball joint. the rest is spelt $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ It took us about 14 hours to make a 4 hr journey. What started out a happy day turned into a 500$ kick in the groin. The Mechanics were cool about helping us get out boats while we waited all day for the thing to get fixed....

My kayak school sidekick Graham Ball.

Someone needs a new Car... TRUCK. I have been pushing the envelope a bit with the girl while she is Pregnant.

I thought since she was in a fragile state I would see if I could pull off getting my hand gun licence a truck and possibly a human slingshot. I saw it on youtube and feel incomplete without it. The gun thing was quite a fight really but I felt that since I was having a girl I would need one for that horrible day, a boy came a knocking at my dood. I actually want to be good at shooting it when the first dirty little kayaker showed up at my door for my little girl. Made good sence to me. Now what I told carly was...... I made the mistake of telling her that I needed it to shoot zombies, and that just made her mad. What I didn't know was she had to sign the paper work for met o get a gun.... So Not my best move, "your about as subtle as a sledge Hammer Harris" My room Graham would say. Then on top of all that my buddy is selling a Truck, which I have been in love with since 2009 and now think I am going to buy.... I am turning into a Valley Red Neck...... and were married so she can't leave... so sweet.

Ill Have an update on the new Rock star when I have had more than a surf session on Kahuna to get the feel of it....

Billy Harris as always on a mission

JACKSON KAYAKS TIPS FOR RIVER RUNNING!!!!!!!!!

2011-04-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

Creeking Tips For First time HUCKSTERS!!

Billy Harris


Picture By Laura Finnegan.	Fish Hatchery-MACKFESTIVAL Ontario Canada

Running a river can always get the heart rate up. From the first time river trip to the class five “knarbuckle”. There are some tips that you can use that will always put you in a good position to make good choices, as well as keep you on top of the proverbial food chain.

TIP #1

When running a river never use more than 25% power. Power very rarely works to your advantage. When you set up without power you have more options. It keeps you calm, rapids come up slower, and you will have sustained energy for the entire river. “When should I use 100%”. Someone asked me this. My answer, “you will always know when you need 100%. Your goal is to never need it!!!

TIP #2

Float at an angle when running something new. That angle should be set on a back ferry angle. That way you have 2 options when you see something you don’t like. Forward paddling or back ferrying away form the obstacle.

TIP#3

NEVER Follow if you can help it. Following always puts you at a disadvantage. When you follow you don’t learn to read water and you just interpret the rapid from the persons rate of stroke or their angle. You stop looking at what the river is doing, and you learn nothing but hard lessons.

TIP#4

When learning to run rivers or running a river the first time there is a steadfast rule that not just makes sense but also makes you feel better about running something new. EDDYS!!! Your safe in an eddy for the most part. Don’t you leave the eddy unless you have scouted the line or you see another eddy you would be safe in. Pick the eddy out and decide if you can catch it safely. If the answer is yes than go for it.

TIP#5

Float the inside of a corner. Floating the inside of an un-known Turn is a best practice. The water is slower there, and junk gets deposited on the outside of river bends.

Common sense is not all that common these days. If you see a horizon line catch an eddy. Natural selection in this world is a gift that keeps on giving. Look understand and see what is ahead of you before you leap. Its your responsibility to play and river run safe. Do it as safe as you can, more often than not, the rapid will be there next time so walk if you don’t think you can pull it off.

MiSsIoN. Mackfest

2011-04-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

Level Six wanted me to do down to Mackfest and do what I do best. Help people learn how to be better play boaters. They Hook me up each year with beautiful gear for myself and my wife and considering I would have gone to Mackfest wearing their gear it was a hell of a nice box of goodies I got when I showed up at the event. Each year I go to Mackfest I am always amazed at how many people come out of the woodwork. From the Organizing behind the scenes to the people how just stand up and take over. I feel our community is blessed with an abundance of great people.

Cale the man behind it all.

There were some low lights, Ben Ayilsworth in some drunkin stuper took a dump on the hood of my car. Normally It would not bother me so much but there was really no reason..... None. Not to mention, I wouldn't have known who it was but there was GUM BOOT marks on my bumper and I had my suspicions.

S&M Ben

Franky Managed to get Robbie Z fromt he Cornwall Crew, on a pair of running stilts and in turn managed to get quite a few drunk people to race around with them on. There was a broken leg but it had nothing to do with the stilts. Come to think of it there was a dislocated shoulder and plenty of skinned knuckles. Someone smacked into Matt Hamiltons Truck which was going to happen sooner or later.

if you know who hit this truck, keep it a secret.......

Hope this one doesn't go missing.......

Well all in all it was a wicked time. Couple people ran the fish hatchery section from the dam down. Apparently fun to watch. But the best part was seeing everyone. It seems like there are so many good people in the paddling comunity. Minus Ben and the guy who hit Mattys truck. And possibly these two random junkies from Marmora I think......>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

great Party....

Hope to see everyone at KING OF CLUBS...... Billy OUT

ANGRY HIPPIE......ok not so angry.

Mission: Fear understanding and pics from the top of the world.

2011-02-28T05:39:00.000-08:00

Mission: Fear understanding and pics from the top of the world.

Carly on top of the volcano.

I can’t help it but I am a teacher. I have been teaching kayaking for the last 15 years and I love it. Like most things in kayaking, not all, it makes little money but provides a lifestyle only some people can boast living. Fear has always been present in teaching, from people learning, to my place in the sport, fear is alive and well. Controlling that fear, containing the thought process of the flight or fight I have found, is the essential. I have often found that if I can control the quality of my communication. The quality of my self-communication rather, I can control the complex release of chemicals that produce the flight or fight response within my body.

My friend, a guy I have paddled with for a long time, has a great roll. He can roll for the most part every time. He has a back up roll I call the Pallada, or extended roll that he uses as his back up incase the first roll fails him. The problem is his self talk before the trip, during the rapid and after. He finds demons where there are none. He experiences an entirely different river trip than others without the same fear.

My struggle has been how to control that. Fear itself is the biggest explosion of chemicals your body can produce, it’s not something that you can just teach away or explain to yourself, “slow down” or relax too. In my teaching time I have found, that the emotions that lead to the explosion of chemicals. Such as fear, anxiety, alarm, are within your conscious thoughts and thus can be controlled to some extent. The Delivery of this to a student unfortunately doesn’t have the same delivery for every person. My friend for instance, I climb up on him about seeing monsters at every bend in the river, and he’s so transfixed by them that he does indeed find them. I would like to say to everyone I have a way to solve that. I really don’t. I want his experience to be much like mine but I can’t make that happen. Each one of us has to make the decision, each one of us has to say, “there are not monsters around the next bend”. I can do this, I am in control of my own fear. Easy to say as a teacher standing where I am, harder to accomplish when you are alone with your thoughts and a wild river in front of you.

I took a crazy hike yesterday, some time away from the river. Here are the photos.

Argentina


Volcano Hike (from hell)

Mission: People Noises and Patagonia

2011-02-23T04:19:00.000-08:00

Mission: People Noises and Patagonia

Huilo Huilo National Park.

I am sitting in the nicest hotel I have ever been in, or pretty close. I am parked right in the heart of Patagonia Argentina. This place is a pure, clean, friendly and amazing place. Carly and I came up over the divide between Chile, and Argentina in a rented 4x4. Green and lush at first, and into what looks like the arid dry landscape of Reno Nevada. I was looking back at the trip for the second time with a fresh eye during my drive. I was, and have always been a very lucky guy not for me but the people I collect around me. The people on my trip were the kind of people you want on any trip. The only somewhat disturbing part of the trip was staying with Chuck my father in law. Even being in the same building with him during his “morning constitution” was terrifying. Something about the cheese I think. It was kind of a horrible bonding experience I would wish on no son in law. You never know what your relationship with your in-law’s is going to be like until you see each other out of their element. Or worse, share a bathroom with them. A better example was when, we came around the corner on the Trufel Trufel Rio and I saw the take out eddy above a heinous drop. Super stressful day, hiked a person out with the guy who knew the run well and anyway, I pointed move left with my paddle, and my hand. Chuck just sauntered along smiling away…. I snapped at him, “get your ass over there”. It was not my best moment; he scuttled toward the shore to my left. I am like everyone I want to be the cool headed guy in every situation, calm, collected, head on straight. But sometimes the stress gets to you and you crack. Its one of the reasons I am so happy with the people around me on this trip. I learned a lot about myself under stress. The people around me learned about me too I think. I am like everyone else imperfect and fallible . But with a little help from my friends I got to grow. I got to become better and for that minus the noises from the bathroom I did get better and I did get to grow.

Special thanks to:

Jackson Kayaks for Putting money toward my trip.
Level Six for supplying me my gear and clothing.

Core Paddles for supplying me with my Amazing new paddle. (father in law too)

Salus for my PFD and Rescue Gear

Smith Optics for my eyes.

LT to right. Chuck, Billy, Christo, Marie-Eve and a bit of Sandra.

David Owner of Pucon Kayak Hostel in his "Quincho"

Christo Greyling Huilo Huilo

Running the first drop on Upper Palguin (me) Billy

Lenny in the Cattle Truck, just smiling away as usual.

Wayne and Leah, Upper Palguin Run Last day.

The Indispensable Kurt Casey and the Dispensable Sandra the pain in my ass...

Another Fuy Valley Photo.

Louis being Louis....

Thanks To Everyone. Billy Harris

Mission: Scared, Happy, Sad TRIP OVER.

2011-02-20T07:52:00.000-08:00

Mission: Scared, Happy, Sad TRIP OVER.

Kurt Casey at Huilo Huilo falls hike day

Any man who knows a thing knows he knows not a dam thing at all. “k’naan”

It was a great trip for me. Not just cause our guide Kurt was the fountain of knowledge brillian at every turn, but because of the group. Chuck, my father in law surprising me with his whit and humor, and in so many other ways on the water. Wayne and Leah solid paddlers, and their own personal team that blended seamlessly with everyone else. The trip Piñata, Sandra, sticking in there for the duration, and getting all kinds of flack from me off the river. Louis a consummate pain in the ass, kept me on schedule and on the program. Every day he would keep the everyone in the group accountable for giving it all they got everyday. A pain a gift. Christo, who came on the trip found peace on a big waterfall run, as well as experienced a bit of what his son has come to know as every day life. Lenny, was just lenny. Perfectly timed retorts, surprisingly playful demeanor and just the kind of person you want at the end of a rope when the Crap hits the fan. As for me it was a tough trip in a way. I find my accountability for a persons experience to be a great weight for me to bear. Not just in terms of skill vs river. Any one can figure out what class a trip to run. I was responsible for finding a balance between pushing and hurting. Not just the body but the mind. I found that this is a balance that I can find, a weight that I now know that I can bear. Made easy with a little help from my friends.

Pictures speak now. Happy travels Happy times.

it took 3 hrs to get a pizza here.

Louis, now known as "Swami Sahib" Check out the budgie smuggler up front!!!!

Waiting for a Sockeye to run.. turns out the frenchy took the dip

Wayne, steady handed throughout the trip.

Looking back upstream on the upper fuy. half way.

Kurt, being crazy...... usual.

french canadian boob grab, with scream

french vs english. don't mess with Princess Leah....... pipes!

The B-Team

Hot springs day.

Christo grabbin the Chuck for a cool falls drop at the hotsprings.

Cookin at the springs.

Frenchy. being french.

Mission: Upper Palguin, fear and consequence

2011-02-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

Mission: Upper Palguin

This Run has scared me for quite some time. I am not worried about me, but my people. I have to manage the skills, the desire and the safety. All things that I find easy to do on a river I know. But I had not got to run the Palguin before the trip. I had to trust the word of my Friends, Dave Hughes and Kurt Casey. I trust them, but perspective has a fickle eye. We pulled out at 9am for the top of the river and put in on the land bridge. The Run was “SPORTY”. That’s my word for tough. It took them all to the brink. We didn’t have any swims, we had 3 popped skirts however all paddled to shore. I am going to let the photos do the talking but hat’s off to Christo for moving from B team to K team and doing it in style.

Pictures.

Mission: Loosing is often winning, the rescue And PG 13 required!

2011-02-17T11:35:00.000-08:00

Mission: Loosing is often winning, the rescue And PG 13 required.

Princess Leah, stompin it.

Christo, "Logan Greyling" Dad Showing why Logan is the way he is... NUTS...... and yes they are clones.....

Lenny always quiet, always funny.

Christo sporting some Tribe. on a waterfall scout

As a kayak intructor one might think that students getting their butts served to them on a silver platter cordially offered by yours truly would be a bad thing but it was a perfect day. I remember looking up the river at a series of 25 footers, 10, 8’s, 16’s and more thinking these guys have their hands full today and they did and they didn’t. Wayne, Louis, Leah were running the very edge of what they could do and did most of it in style. We have been going hard, maybe too hard the last 5 days running rivers pretty constantly. Louis from CDB was the first to break, he broke his paddle at the bigger drop, managed to roll up, Wayne decided to have a creek-boat rodeo in a small but powerful little hole. As usual looking back upstream at the girl or even the cascading montage of crystal blue water and its raw power. Leah took a swim about 3 more drops down in a powerful river wide ledge only a big set of arms could propel you over with. Exhausted she carried on, the next rapid Louis turn. Louis got dragged into boulder hell at high speed and was forced to pull the pin just above another 16 footer. The bag found its mark and pendulumed him in just above the next falls and his boat tore down stream and got caught in a sive thankfully on the immediate right, within our reach and on our side of the river. Louis safe and sound, Leah broke out after me hit her boof early and ended up in the curtain of the 16 footer. Her boat is still behind the curtain as I type this and actually I have to go back and get it right now…… TBC.

Boat helm maybe? we fit. look for the Frenchman.

Ok, I could only take a couple people so as not to make a gong show at the waterfall. I got Christo(ropes), Lenny(power), Kurt(river sage), and the Frenchman all down to the waterfall. Christo set up the ropes with Lenny, Louis and Kurt sorted out the Inflatable and the plan was to go on line paddle me into the waterfall curtain at its weak spot and pull the boat out of the curtain Kurt on power me on the bow grab at the front of the raft..

Kurt Casey Watching my ass. During the Boat recovery.

We couldn’t see the kayak but it was there and we all knew it. Kurt while scampering about found a little hole behind the waterfall and peered in. He called me over and said, “ you can get in there”. I managed to crawl through it Kurt holding me via rope, just between the curtain into the room behind the drop. I Crawled about 20 feet Kurt feeding me line just in case the Curtain caught me. I came around the bend just out of sight and there was the boat. I cracked out our preplan whistle and the boys hauled it out and we were back in Business.

Thermal Springs... they went forever.

I took a shot of the rescue team all mooning the camera that was in the back of leah’s boat and left it on her camera. I would show you, but someone, not naming names (starts with chris and ends with toe) might have mooned a bit too much rear end for the interweb to be seeing……. Happy times, good beer great company and fantastic paddling.

Havin a mission


EDITED FOR PG13 eyes ONly.

Mission: Headaches, traveling bands, breakdowns. Classic mission.

2011-02-12T12:52:00.000-08:00

Mission: Headaches, traveling bands, breakdowns. Classic mission.

Running a trip has a certain stress about it that comes from a place within I call my empathy curse. I love making a trip go well and determining the outcome of the trip on my attention, work and determination. The problem is I feel empathy, way too much of it. I put my self in the position of every complaint, every mix-up every problem and when I am running the trip its everything that I can do to be sure that I am operating at my fullest potentia. Not just to make people happy but to avoid the feeling of not doing a good job or worrying about a complaint. The Trip has been awesome, loving It. But its not always perfect.

My Suburban blew a wheel bearing yesterday. Held us up for hours. We suffered in the hot sun while eating a meal at a gas station, behind the gass station against a pile of bricks. We ended up finding a cattle truck of all things, riding in the back of it in the less than glorious style of air-conditioned comfort we were growing accustomed too. My head in my hands shaking back and forth silently saying, “why me” We picked up a bunch of guys on the road hitchhiking and Chuck got the guy to play in the back of the truck as we crept along at 40 kms’ per hours. We were sweating like mad, listening to this guy playing away, while I held him up so he could play without falling over.… Its all turned out great, got everyone off the Trufel Trufel before a class 5 plus drop with no eddy’s, which stressed me out so bad I think that I may never get them to drop. But we made it back just fine, happy and tired.

I could say a lot more, just check out the photos….. Special thanks to Dave for keeping an eye on the details running the place smoothly and keeping everyone happy.

Billy Harris no question on a mission.

Mission :Arrival

2011-02-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

Mission: The Arrival.

Well it is in my nature to kind of be a bit unorganized. I have always had my wife to help me make good plans and set a schedule. I am sitting here early in the morning making plans and feeling pretty good about them. I will see how they work out but I have to say I am feeling pretty confident so far……. I have a great group, the K team and the B team. K is for Kurt Casey, my guide here. B team is for Billy. Kurt and the K team is an Amazing guy, first D’d most of Chile and an amazing resource for the group. He’s got all kinds of knowledge, stuff you just can’t know unless you live and have a family here. There isn’t another person I would want to have on our team.

Loading up gear, drinking coffee with the father in law and just happy as hell to be here. It’s everyone’s first night and it worked out great.

Chucks Take

Well, I’m just finished breakfast and waiting for the official start of Day One. It thundered and lighteninged last night for a long time, which is very unusual for Chile, but we awoke to a bright sunny day with a predicted high in the high 20’s. Billy was up earlier than normal and stressed out as he has a right to be. It’s his first trip to Chile with clients, and he is bending over backwards trying to make sure that they are looked after properly. I am sure that it will all work out, and there will be hiccups, but everyone is working hard to make sure that this trip is a success. David, the owner the Pucon Kayak Hostel, is very accomadating. Kurt, the other guide is a fountain of knowledge, both about the rivers and local lore and legend. We have a mixed group of people with varying interests and backgrounds. Everyone is excited to get started, some with a bit of apprehension, but eager and ready to go. The K Team is off for a full day on a class IV. The rest of us are doing two short runs today. I am in the B Team and here to learn a bit and enjoy myself. So far, it’s been great, and I am sure that it will continue to be so.

Mission. Chile, wild shower scene and the Oldies take!!

2011-02-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

Mission. Chile, a wild shower scene and Oldies take!!

We should have flown out on the day we booked our flight out for. Toronto Pearson International shut down for 3 cm of snow, embarrassed to say I am Canadian that day. JKF flew most flights during the storm of the season…. What it all boiled down to, was that I was snow bound in a small handicap room, one bed and no place to go for zero reason. I tried to have a shower with the sitting chair in the shower room with no curtain, who’s the clown that thought up that stupid system. I couldn’t even soap my own butt, for holding the wand. It had too much power to stay in the holder, which I found out during a fully clothed, warm up. I had water every-where, mirrors, me and not to mention that I almost killed myself getting up and down off the dumb chair holding the spray nozzle.

Gawd I am stuck in a room with the guy right now. He’s reading Martarese Circle by Robert Ludlum and no question at all that he found that book in a dump, green painters tape holding the spine together, dog eared pages from a million other readers of such dribble and a magnetic bookmark that has nothing to stick to, but joyously sets off the metal detector wand ever time. This stunt almost always holding us in the exam room forever while we search his belongings. Ultimately dragging me down with the steadily sinking ship. I can hear his old guts turning in the quiet din of our room at Pucon Kayak Hostel. Bifocals all tweaked for ample page coverage, and the slight hint of Bengay floating about the room. He’s got a book in his hand, he’s snoring his brains out. I admit, I am tired, grumpy and I want to go to bed too, its been 36 hours and 3 hrs of sitting sleep on a plane.

Chucks Perspective.

It is fun traveling with Billy, or should I say it is an adventure. I learned that you never count on what he says that he is going to do until the operation is in progress. Normally, it is Billy that causes all of the hassles in the airports, like carrying prohibited weapons through carry-on, etc. I thought we were off to a different start when we had our ticket agent almost laughing out loud as she finagled our seats so that we could sit together. She had her fun, and then ours began. Instead of Billy getting stopped, it was my carry-on searched for a non-existent bottle of water. In Santiago we had to switch planes, so we had to claim and transfer our luggage. After moving to the opposite end of the terminal and up three floors, and in the process of checking into our next airline, I noticed that my gear bag was missing. Three bags checked, and off we go backwards through the airport and customs, etc. Then back to check my mislaid bag and get our tickets from a non English speaking agent that couldn’t understand why 2 guys only had one bag to check. Then the airport metal detector, It detected something. Not sure what, maybe the magnetic bookmark in my purchased used book, not dump found, although my local dump does have a recycling table with lots of treasures. If you can’t leave with as much as you brought to the dump, it can be depressing! So after 3 tries, and removing my jacket with the book, we were off again. I also forgot to mention that while we were waiting for our bags, Chile has sniffer dogs roaming. Guess whose carryon was questioned, again. I had a bag of roasted, salted almonds in a pocket on the bag. These are trained food sniffing dogs. My dog at home is a food sniffer too, but she is self-trained. I had to re-write my customs form. The nuts were ok to bring in, I just had to declare them. After an uneventful flight and a 2 hr bus ride later, we made it to our lodgings. I was hoping to crash, but Billy wanted to go into town to run errands. I had to go with him to keep him out of trouble, naturally. Ten hours of sleep later, we have had coffee and are on the run again into town. The adventure is continuing!

On a mission with billy and th old boy

Mission: CHILE BOUND/Kurt Casey and the Father IN LAW!!!

2011-01-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

I got off the phone with Kurt Casey, Kurt runs the website http://riversofchile.com the best Chile based website I know of. From what I have been told he knows more rivers and had done more first descents there than anyone. I talked to David Hughes at http://puconkayakhostel.com/ set me and the Crew I have going with me down there with Kurt and with every boat we need for the trip. Dave helped with Logistics, Drivers, a cook and Chilean super guide Kurt Casey. I have been pretty lucky to have him on the trip, and Dave for that matter lighting the way.

Its been 2 communications now with Kurt and my trip plan has been augmented on 2 fronts to accommodate some (special experience). Kurt writes, "Also would like to get the stronger part of group or maybe everyone on the Truful Truful.. http://riversofchile.com/rio-truful-truful/ One of my favorites I guess its a bigwave run, easy for your crew to handle from what you have told me. It should be a great trip and very worthwhile doing. "

I am going down early to be sure that things are organized, food menu is perfect and vehicles and plans are sorted out.

The Trip is an educational one as much as at tour of Chile. Each day we are going to set up our day like I would run with the good old boys. Someone takes lead, that leader rotates through the day. That way we don't have anyone just following. Leading is key to learning, you see, you experience you learn. First we take on boofing, I do a sweet learn to boof clinic that sorts out that issue, then we practice it and get used to RT/LT boofing and timing. The next is group rules of conduct! Gear, clearing rapids, setting up possible safety locations, and basic safety strategies. Fire up the details like getting out with a throw bag in your hand. Simple small details that make a crew run well or a floating liability..

AND THE GLITCH....


Picture this guy looking over your shoulder..(chuck norris)

The Glitch in the plan is My father in law. YEP. he's coming early with me. Very similar people him and I. I am calling him the trip target or pinyata not that I spell it right. Hopefully everyone picking on him, might take the pressure off me to get everything just right. I know he will be watching. "Who did my daughter marry"? Is hopefully the one question he dosen't ask...... ok who am I kidding, that question has come up before today.....

POWERED BY JACKSON KAYAKS
Written By:Billy HARRIS

Billy Harris, on a mission...

BIlly Harris 2010 a Year in Review.

2010-11-20T10:56:00.000-08:00

ts hard to sum up a whole year, My head was shaved, my dog's been skunked, I managed to cut loose bear mace in my car...... my wife got a job as a sugar momma, I lost team trials. Its been horrible, its been great, Its been a great summer, and fall, however I have been hiding a way a bit not gonna lie. Sure I made my rounds as Billy Harris the kayaker visiting shops in, Calgary, Quebec, NY, and all over including boater boards and all that. But I have been hidden away a bit at the same time. Now the Moose fest was a blast, riding coolers down a hill, missing phones, toilet papered rooms and cars. I just watching the hijinx of the festival that doesn't exist anymore flourish without the vendors. The event running on the nostalgia and an attachment to how things were once, and where they will be again one day. The festival was fantastic, but so were many of them this year. That being said, festivals took a hard hit with water levels this year in Canada. Some of the big festivals didn't go due to water. The biggest of the festivals did go though, hundreds of new paddlers being introduced to the sport at Rapid Magazine's great “Palmerfest”. Dry suits, warm gear, and nice weather for a change, made for the most successful Palmerfest ever held. Teaching and growing the sport, despite the economic downturn was the goal and one that made it clear that the community still thrives and flourishes.

A lot of my summer was dedicated to training in the early morning, teaching all day and hitting the gym at night. The fun part was having the river to me and the girl in many cases. I train quite often in the early morning dawn with my wife. The Ottawa river being a wave style river made it a bit harsh at team trials though. Many of the great wave surfers in the valley crashing pretty hard into the stark realization that they are different disciplines holes and waves. They are different types of balance and both take an every day approach to training.

The other bummer thing about early mornings is I am over 200 lbs and despite my seemingly athletic lifestyle the, 2 cream 4 sugars I inhale several times a day have taken their toll on my waistline. Being 36 years old might have something to do with it, but being in full denyal, and the lack of grey hair has supported that denial to date. I am not saying I look like a pile of tires or anything, lets be clear about that but there is defiantly more of me to love these days if you know what I mean. My room mate says “you have man boobs”. Nobody but my wife and I like her so I ignore her for the most part. But if I were to reply to such an evil little woman I would say that I may or may not pass some stupid hold the pencil test under my pec's. I started out at a slim 165 lbs when this show started. The positive and beautiful part is that I am fitting the super star better than I ever have. Creeking in a boat that fits me perfectly has been a pleasure as well. I like the big boats “and I can not lie”, I always have. But the new Villain and its volume and size are perfect for me, and I feel like the boss when I paddle it. (still not the boss around the house)

Canadian Team Trials were awesome up until the last round. I was so confident that I would win I bet Kelsey his sparse and ratty looking mustache to a thick and proud Mohawk that I would whoop is little quasi-eastern ass. He scored a royal donut the first run, and things were looking up for old billy. I was even making faces at him during my rides. It was like the ski-ward lord of all things saw this and then the evil god struck me down. It hurt more not because he wasn't as consistent as I was, I had consistency scored pretty high. In the end he just paddled better on that day, nothing hurts more than the truth. I am a mans man, Marlboro style, no mustache cowboy if there ever was one. I like doing manly things. I shoot guns, I drive an SUV, its covered with mud and I like it like that. I would shoot a handgun too if my wife would let me have one in the house... But being a man's man I really like to win. I have to say I have always been a bit greedy on that front. I take loosing as a personal insult. I feel its a testimate to the effort I put into things. To summarise my year in review, I win, I loose, I win, I loose and I will win again. My 2010 season with Jackson Kayaks.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN???????

Coverage.

Paddling Films and Filming:Locals only Film.

YouTube Hits

Videos Uploaded: 22
Video Views: 24,984

Channel Views: 1,455

Events/Festivals

ZOAR river Festival, Red deer river Festival, Moose festival, Palmer Festival, King of Clubs

Team Trials: Canadian Team (since 1997) 3rd.

Shop Visits:

Undercurrents, paddle shack, Boatwerks(no/pk), Gull River Shop(no/pk)

Postings:
15 Posts, 6 product reviews hundreds of email reply's.

Schools:

Taught Advanced to beginner Clinics to over 200 people this year, worked at WT teaching,
NRA taught for a week.
Free Clinics:
Palmer Festival, Boatwerks, Zoar, Red Deer, Moose.

Books Sold:
un-knowan Over 50+ Given away or handed out at festivals to beginners.

Kayaking Trip in Chile 2011, Billy Harris

2010-11-13T13:15:00.000-08:00

Put in at Choshuenco

Adventure Chile

I flew into Chile last year with the help of Pucon Kayak Hostel to tour and prepare for a 2011 Trip into the heart of Chile. The Trip is a river running based tour with an emphases on the Country's culture, its views and its food. I joined Pucon Kayak Hostel and coached river running to children on rivers in the Pucon area. This tour allowed me to get a comfortable feel for the culture, the safety of the country as well as the logistics. Each step of the way will be taken care of. I run all the logistics with the help of my guide, and the guide and I know the rivers well. The following shows a break down of the trip, dates and even where to go for the best prices on flights. I need 8 people to run the trip. So far I have 6 interested parties. I will need a bit more time to make sure that all the logistics are set up in Pucon before being able to pin down a min by min itinerary, but the majority of the leg work has been done. I am looking for people who can roll, want an adventure and would like to go to Chile. A play by play is listed below for the most part. The flights are about 1200 to 900 $, the trip, travel coaching is 2000.00. If you follow the expedia site, the total cost about should be about 3000$. That includes everything but 3 meals.

Dates- 02/08/2011- 02/17/2011

Day 1, 2/8- Fly overnight: Home airport(ottawa/toronto to Denver to Miami, Miami to Santiago/
Temuco.
Check this site from what I have found it is the best source. http://www.expedia.ca/pub/agent.dll?qscr=fexp&flag=q&city1=ottawa&citd1=temuco&date1=8/2/2010&time1=362&date2=17/2/2010&time2=362&cAdu=1&cSen=&cChi=&cInf=&infs=2&tktt=&trpt=2&ecrc=&eccn=&qryt=8&load=1&airp1=&dair1=&rdct=1&rfrr=-55055
Day 2, 2/9- Drive to Rio Trancura Base: Outfit boats/afternoon, safety orientation,
and Lower Trancura

Small Creek Boats
Lil Hero #2- purple/new
Jefe Chico- green/new
Big Boy Boats
Big Villain- New $25/day
Mega Rocker #2- Yellow/New/$25/day
Jefe Grande- Blue/New $25/day
Everest- Orange &Yellow/New/$25/day
Super Hero- Orange/New
Nomad 8.5- Red/Yellow
Gus- Yellow

Mid-Size Creek Boats
Villain S #1- New $25/day
Villain S #2- Green/New $25/day
Remix 59 #1- New $25/day
Remix 59 #1- New $25/day
Burn- New $25/day
Jefe #3- New Yellow/$25/day
Jefe #4- New Orange/$25/day
Jefe #5- New Orange/$25/day
Pyranha M3- Yellow
Mystic- Orange
Habitat- Green (has a crack) for sale $175
Diesel 75- Orange/Yellow
Mystik- Gree

The Base at Pucone Kayak Hostel

Day 3, 2/10- Rio Liucura surf and river run
Day 4, 2/11- Upper Trancura/activity

Day 5, 2/12- Upper Palguin/activity
http://www.rinimapu.cl/ ) for San Pedro
Day 6, 2/13- Day off option
Day 7, 2/14- Rio San Pedro + Drive to Choshuenco on Lago Panguipulli

This is the take out in Choshuenco

Day 8, 2/15- Huilo-huilo waterfalls (short hike)/Lower Fuy

lhttp://www.allsouthernchile.com/seven-lakes-siete-lagos-huilo-huilo-chile/133/257-the-magic-mountain-hotel-in-the-huilo-huilo-reserve.html

Day 9, 2/16- Upper Fuy/tour Hotel Baobab/final dinner
Day 10, 2/17- Drive to Temuco/fly home

Mission: Swamp Donkey Festival, wedding, liquid revenge and deer.

2010-10-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

MISSION:

Swamp Donkey Festival, wedding, liquid revenge and deer.

Rockin out in the Large Villian.

It’s Sunday and I am still feeling friday night’s gong show. My thoughts are on a fallen friend right now, who didn’t make it this year. Benny Aylsworth, he’s not dead to me cause he’s got an excuse. However it was pretty lame, (helping his dad, what a jerk) and he’s on life support in my books, but he was missed this year….

I lean outside to check on the boats as the monsters in the very full room wake up from tucked away locations around the room. Our room smells like Puke, wet poly-pro and Matt’s noisy butt. I lean back to see of our boats are still outside, my little red Jackson Rig still there, amazing really. Cale Reeder filled our room with silly string, so we retaliated by breaking and entering into an open room. While they were away we did all kinds of evil in their room but nothing too harmful. We were waiting for the retaliation to the retaliation when we decided to visit last night. I will never get that particular two hours back but we managed to loose a room phone, the hotel owners are not at all in good humor about. We got back to the other room and they were coaxing a deer into the next door neighbors room, looking to trap it in there for the night or until she got back and generally doing stupid things. Last time I saw them they were riding a cooler down a hill and had a standing bet of 1000 dollars to anyone that could get a LEVEL SIX dry top on the deer. I am ashamed to admit it but I actually gave it some serious thought, (my wife was not there) I personally had one nibbling on my sox, ya, my sox yesterday so doing the deed to the deer would not have been too hard... Explaining it to my wife would equal divorce, and rightfully so. They are very tame around here and I have now lost all respect for the deer hunting shows on TV. The deer down here are stupid, shooting one down here is a piece of cake, heck hunting them in town with a spear and a pair of fussy underwear as camouflage would work.

On the river was amazing, there was a river wedding at Fowlers-ville Falls, the whole wedding party auto-boofing into pool at the same time wearing comber buns and the sunshine actually came out for the event. As usual the Bride looked amazing, and the guys, well they just looked like dirty kayakers to me. I think that the ring bearer, was some old woodsman with a Patagonia Polypro on. Ill bet 5$ is smelled like paddling gear.

We are on our Sunday now, recovery Sunday I call it. Feels like being run over by a truck really. Next stop the Muffin Patch, and back on the river.

The moose festival isn’t really a festival more than it’s a cult now. Hundreds of people running the river. Put in’s lined up for ever, boat companies still sending their teams. Its pretty amazing really. I know that Lyons falls next going to be taking it over next year. Whatever the case, Everyone will be here. Official Festival or not, see everyone next year.

Graham Ball Hiding from the Paparrazi

Addition. Ran the Osowagtchie, try spelling that one right. Sunshine drop was sweet, the run was great and on a section that I had never seen before. Ran it with the Five2Nine crew. What a fun bunch of donkeys to ride with. Thanks boys.

Billy Harris

On a Mission (when am I not?)

Mission: Whambulance alert and Super mans decent.

2010-10-12T09:42:00.001-07:00

I feel doubt these days, I am a kayaker through and through but like when I was young, at some point I realized that Super Man could fly, and I can’t. It’s a tough bit of learning. I clearly remember my last hope as I launched myself triumphantly off the garage. My first thought, Oh gawd, my second thought, “please let the dog walk under me right now”. Each of us at some point will reach this stage I think, my first was on the ground at the garage door trying to breath and cry all at the same time. Some people won’t get to this stage, but more than likely they will in my opinion I think. It seems that the longer it takes for someone to find this place the harder he or she will hit the ground.

I am lying in bed whining about how much I suck at math to my wife when I realized something. Ok, so you’re a math moron no doubt. But whining to your wife makes it way worse. Then, “what would you have done if this was a kayaking trick”, my wife busts out on me. I have learned in life that the biggest most painful thing your wife can do, it’s to lay out a piece of your advice, the same one that you dole out to others. It would be better if she would just come out and say. “Yo, hypocrite. Suck it up sally and quit your whining.” I almost hear myself with the, “but, but, but,” but I decide not to go on.

I failed at school; a lot, math is just not something I am good at. My brothers are both brilliant in that area. My dad is some kind of genius; my mother is as sharp as a tack, and more than willing to use it, when you are being a smart ass to her. Lucky me, I got the athletic gene. The problem is the mind is willing but the body is, struggling. When you go from being the best at something to the worst at something, or in my case a kayaker to math moron, it’s an even harder hill to climb. So I get presented with a problem I have solved for many others but have not solved for myself. I call it the, “Try Until Method”. It goes like this.

Baby learning to walk gets put on his or her little fat feet and off he or she goes to do what, fall. Baby doesn’t know how to be a douche bag to baby, so silently goes on after a good cry to try again. Mom is silent about the mater; picking you back up to, try again. We know this method works. It’s why so many people walk; and every mother teaches us how to learn how to walk using the same method. But only when we get older we decide to be a jerk to baby and that’s where this bit of whining starts. I suck at math, but I will get better.

So time to dust off baby, pocket the thumb sucking, and get back to the business of learning grade 6 math and try again.

BIlly

Mission: Locals Only, falling leaves and eviction notice.

2010-09-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

Surfing with Jason Craig, about the nicest young guy I know.

ITs late in the season, all the demo boats are starting to come back to the house from gosh only knows. Kelsey (known by many as The Runt) moved out of my house back to the western side of Canada. TIs weird having the house to myself. Ray Borrato still lives in my attic, the little sister I never wanted taking Kesley's position on Harassment Detail. I get called Fat boy again by her she's getting an eviction notice.

Filming for Locals Only with Kelsey was a lot of fun. I am sure he's enjoying clipping stuttering out takes reminicent of kkk,ken Whiting's. Being a big 12 year old didn't help my plight on that front. All in all the time with him made me realize really how much I love home. Nobody but me surfing at Garb and push. Cool air in the am, falling leaves of red and orange. Loosing tennis balls in the ground cover, Cursing the dog's inability to keep his eye on the ball. (dam animal) It is nice not to have Kelsey and his dam camera pointed at me, but sad to see him go too.

The video itself is a mystery, i have seen bits of it and watched hundreds of hours of kelsy parked at the dining room table working for endless hours. Never realized how much went into video production. Finding Music, editing, clipping, cataloguing...... guess thats why I paddle.

Check out the website and see what the video's about and peek at the news section too.
http://www.localsonlymovie.com/

http://www.localsonlymovie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6:locals-only-crew-kills-it-at-team-trials&catid=2:news&Itemid=4

ALL Photos BY Emery Tillman (thanks Emery!)

My Friend Emery, took the shots at Lachine, Kelsey and the Uber talented Jason Craig in green.

Big Joe

Kelsey in yellow and my good side in red.

THE PALADA

2010-09-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

THE PALADA IS AN EXTENDED ROLL. PLACING ONE HAND ON THE BLADE OF THE PADDLE THE OTHER HAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHAFT. SET IT UP ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER FIRST, THEN ROLL. PRACTICE THE SET UP HALF A DOZEN TIMES THEN DO THE SAME THING WHILE UNDER THE WATER.

THE PALADA.

Mission: Snapping the Ivory and breaking the rules

2010-09-17T02:52:00.000-07:00

VICIOUS.........

I grew up getting beat up pretty regularly, school busses playground, hallways.... I sucked at fist fights still not that brilliant. One day I was taught a great lesson by a great man named Pat O'brien. He had 12 brothers and sisters. I asked, "Who won the fights around your house Pat". his reply, ""the guy that got to the shovel first of course". I was shocked. "Dude, I said, thats not right. he laughed, "there are no rules to fighting", he said. "Billy", he said, " use that farm boy power and get em on the ground. Once there BITE THEM IN THE FACE!" I said, "WHAT!?". He says to me, "you never want to fight again, put the old ivory to em and bite them in the face." He was right, it worked like a charm…….. that bite festered for a month, and everyone was horrified that I would break this unwritten rule of fighting…..

ROLLING IS THE SAME WAY………………. read on.

Did a clinic on the weekend. Got to work with two ladies from the dorset area. One girl who's partner paddles. Just got a nice e-mail about how I teach, and the change, but something that just keeps coming up again and again needs to be addressed.

Big Bird and Elmo clowning around.

Rolling is just as much a psychological test as it is a kayaking manover. Rolling is more about the right approach and anxiety control as the physical move. People think they are lifting their body out of the water… WRONG. you are rolling the boat under neigh yourself…. and that explanation is where it starts.

If your going to teach your friends try these tips to help them on their way.

Control their language about rolling.

Be sure that they are happy and excited and their language ESPECIALLY yours is all positive. Remind them they are to flip the boat under their butts. that is it.

Control their experience and use no short cuts.

Get a dry suit or wet suit and get in the water with them. Flip them, roll them swim in the water with the kayak. Even take the time to swim with the paddle and put their head up inside the boat when its upside-down. Comfort is everything when upside down.

Be consistent. Rolling to some person's rules Don't work. Teach the roll that you use and be sure you have a couple different ways of teaching it.

USE THE PALADA!!!!!!!!!!!

Teach the roll as you normally would, (head down, paddle high big sweep at the start hip flick) is how I do it. But when frustration and they are close, teach the Palada. Make sure that its when they are close. Make sure that YOU KNOW they can get it, every time….

RULES!!!!!!

The Rule for the plalada is simple. Once the right way or standard way and, once the palada. Its a psychological crutch as much as it is a method to get air….

Anyone who has a beef with this can contact me and tell me why. I would be happy to crush their argument…

One last thing, GET A DUO and take em for a ride.....

b3harris@gmail.com

Mission: King of CLUBS

2010-09-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

MIssion: KING OF CLUBS

Photo's By John Slot of KWP
More Photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/mccoy085/KWPRocksAtKingOfClubs2010?feat=email#
WIcked time on the ottawa this year that drew over 160 competitors the the River Run Camp ground this last weekend. Each year the King of Clubs event draws the clubs together from all over Ontario and pits the paddling skills of each club against each other. Started by this man Cale Reeder and his wife Steph with the Kawartha Whitewater Paddlers.

Cale

STEPH

Head TO Head

Cale a long time ago spent his time on the water rescuing me, a lot has changed since then but not his interest in growing the sport and helping others out. The two of them with the help of many others put together head to head racing,

Monster Throw

Chained like dogs for Leaving Cales boat in a tree.....

The event is for beginner Clubs, club members Beginer-mediates, beginners. What a blast and adding things like Z drag comps, throwbag comps, boat tossing, tug of wars to keep the event a learning as well as a fun filled thing that people wanted to participate in. It's hard to get people to compete these days. So competitive is the race an freestyle sport that its hard to really get new people in. But this weekendm convincing people to enter a relay, or get the throw bag toss lines fired up didn't take long. No Prizes, No money, just pure Glory. With some Rivalry tossed into the mix for good measure. KWP, Bag pipes in all letting The Petawawa River rats, (Military boys) know they aren't the only people with Big Guns....

Causing all Kinds of Grief

AMAZING TEAM EFFORT

BIlly Harris

Well done to the River Rats for taking this years Big Prize. (GLORY)

MIssion: 3 bears and a Mohawk and The Canadian Team.

2010-08-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

It was Finals and I had won every dam round till the top 5 so I figured I was in a good position to Kick Kelsey Thompsons Scrawny Little Butt. The Bet was, I would get a mohawk if toll bag dropped the mustash. The one that hides a knarly scar on his face from his 5th COUNT EM 5th time he smashed up his face. He's not all that pretty to being with so the Mustash was helping him out and well to make a long story short. Kelsey got Lucky. The only time he beat me all comp he did so in finals, wiht the luckiest ride ever. So I am sporting a mohawk these days........

Carly and I are staying with an old friend Michelle Earls who owns a business called Kananaskis Outfitters in, you guessed it in Kananaskis. She rents bikes does bike tours and hiking canoeing kayaking you name it she does it and guides it. So we went in to the shop and she took us out on a bike tour. Michelle was blasting down a hill, dog and myself in hot pursuit when a YAK sized monster bolted from the trail right in front of us. We blew by the beast and stopped on a bridge just about 30 yards away. Massive Grizzly huge hump on its back and a colossal sized face. Carly came trundling down the path moving like a slug with a heart condition. By the time she showed we were yelling our heads off at this bear. He was parked right beside the trail just looking at us, and here comes poky pants McDonald. (I call her McDonald only when she is going to do something UN-Harris like….)

We have all seen that movie when the main character of some animal flick is standing there just chewing its cud. The main character is someone like bambi and right behind it is this raging monster gaining ground teeth and nails nothing but bad intentions. Deer just standing there, munching away some dark drumming noise background. That deer was my wife. We are yelling, “GO Carly GO, keep peddling keep going.” Carly stops, puts her foot down and I Crap myself and have a heart attack all at the same time. I am off my bike at this point doing the funky chicken waving, prancing and flapping like an idiot. Carly says, “What”? 6 feet away and 6 feet up is a massive Grizzly. He’s just cocking his head left and right looking at her. Carly looks and only sees bushes. But gets the point as I gain flapping momentum. Carly will tell you she only stopped for a second. It looked to me like she was stopping for dinner. Needless to say I am still married. But we now own Bear Spray and Carly can’t walk to the car without it. Carly Claims Bears don’t Eat Vegans that’s why it isn’t a problem..

Add one grey hair to the patch I got growing on top.

Billy

Mission: Rude friends/ sweet luck and Undercurrents

2010-07-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

I flew into Calgary for Jackson Kayaks, picked up my gear and the only car left in Calgary. Pimped out Ford with heated seats, I got it by luck. The Calgary Stampede is on. Parking is stupid, bars are full, booz is 7.50 a drink and I don’t wear a cowboy hat so I looked right out of place. I decided at the airport to see one of my best friends, Scott Fiendel. He Took a pretty hard hit creeking last year put him in the hospital for 3 months. He’s thinner now, but back to the boating and Kickboxing again and of course saying abusive things to me again. (he was nicer to me when he was broken) I never got around to teasing him about his drug induced phone calls at all hours of the night….. Opportunities lost… I arrived at Scottys and coun’t find my wallet. As it turns out it fell out of my sweet ride when I was loading up and lucky for me it got wedged in the step bar and the door frame. It rode like that to his house!!!!

Hit up the local shop to see another good friend of mine Tony. He’s a Jackson Super Store and holds almost every line I represent. He’s been a big supporter of the community there and offers everything at good prices. Each year he handles the boats I ship out there for events and comps. I took some shots of the shop as well as the most imposing photo of Tony I could muster….

Billy Harris

I attended an event the Red Deer River Festival. here are some picks I took from the clinics. I met another friend and rippin creeker Mikkel St. Jean-Duncan. (I took me about 20 min to write his name. HYPHENS... GAWD...

This kids mother told him if he could loop the new star she would buy it for him. She's out 1149.00 plus taxes.... sorry ma..... it took 45 min to teach him... thank's JK. poor mom

Mission: Disposing of the Arrogance.

2010-07-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

I am finding myself more and more often being beaten on the water. Some Kid named Adam who I have never met crushed me at Push Button the other day. That combined with a visit from what was a good friend once along time ago set in motion some question’s. Who really is Billy Harris and how can he be better than he is.

I planted dark seeds along time ago and they started with Pat Camblin at Lachine many years ago. I lashed out in anger and frustration and in doing sewed the seeds of divide between us that has only festered. The boys, Duce, Benny Marr and Pat dropped by the house to see Carly and I and it was there in in silence it started myself on a path of reflective emotions. Pat sat at the table not sure how to feel about me, I could see it in his eyes. I superimposed my belief systems on him and in doing so alienated him and myself. My pride, frustration, and anger back then, and even now dig deep. “A thorn can be pulled out but internal thorns need to be realized in the mind.” (Dalai Lama) I need to know why I felt anger then, jealousy and dismay at myself and Adam and the crushed feelings I have had at being beaten at worlds so many times.

It started and still do in many ways identify my self as Billy Harris the paddler, coach and athlete. I have always thought that Billy was what he made of himself. To a lesser extent the coaching and help I have offered over the years to the greats of paddling. I always felt that I was apart of the learning that they young terrors reign have had on the freestyle and big trick features around the world. I have had thousands of hours on the water practicing and when watching their success’s Pringles, at world cup, Joel and Nick at worlds, yappa in oz. I have always felt that I helped in many ways to create the foundation for that talent to grow on. But in the end it never had much to do with me at all, not for Pat, not for any of them. I built up the importance of it in my mind and felt hurt and anger when it swung around to haunt me later. I followed a garden path of my own self importance and grew the seeds of anger and jealousy now I am left thorny branches, branches I now try cutting off at the base.

But the only way to gain understanding of how I feel when I get beaten buy these guys is by not letting anger, pride jealousy exaggerate the importance of how things really exist. I must see that at no time that I really am billy harris the paddler. I Struggle to give up my false beliefs even now. The seeds have gown tall and the pruning should have started years ago. I work hard now to see myself as I really am, I feel that it’s the only way that I will ever find peace and liberation.

Billy Harris

Mission: Re-Education and goodbye to the Gang at NRA (huge experiences)

2010-02-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

One of the students flew past me on his butt following his boat, he looked like he was riding a jack-hammer, his arms and legs flailing and kicking all the way down. He picked himself up at the bottom, rubbed his butt looking up. He looked at me and chuckled and went about retrieving his boat from the river. Better watch my step I thought to myself as the next student blew past me flailing. Four of the six students so far fell, slid or dropped their boats hiking in or at the put in. What a great way to start the day I thought to myself with a smile. I know it’s the sadistic streak in me, the teachers all here love their jobs just as I do. That being said most of us like to take a bit of pleasure in someone else’s pain from time to time and I think it’s healthy in a twisted kind of way. All the lessons here I feel, are best taught by themselves. Each day at the end of the river run I ask the same thing. “OK kiddies, what did you learn today”. The reason I ask that question it so the people realize they have to take responsibility for that learning. But accidents are great in a way I think. They in them selves carry the weight of action and consequence without the politics of the punishing administrator. Thus the small glean of delight one takes as an educator in days like these.

That way when the digger happens, lesson and punishment get all rolled up into one tight little entertainment package for me. It’s what makes these river schools like NRA so great to me. In standard school there is no control by the educators any more. Its all been taken away. When I was a student I used to fear the stick, the strap, the teacher. The worst of the worst, “go to the principals office”. But these times are different. Parents don’t take responsibility any more none of those great tools are used any more. Students take the cue from ma and pa and don’t take responsibility either. There is no action and consequence any more only this sense of entitlement. But not here not in this place, who’s fault is it that you fell down the rocks again. “OH THAT PERSON IS YOU” I hope to send my little monsters to this school someday and lets be honest. Someone else is going to snicker at my little beast when he/or she, takes a digger on a jungle trail someday too.

Tacked on some photos

Mission: Sights sounds and Chile.

2010-02-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

The familiar rumble of the van next door reluctantly cranks to life, it’s three on the tree shifter grinds into reverse as it prepares for a day of shuttles.

The clouds that have plagued us for the last couple days are starting to wear off.

The river that was starting to drop has now refreshed its stocks of water.

A new day starts in Chile. The students are down stairs working out math formulas.

The teachers in the next room are discussing what is to be done about tomorrows plan.

The kitchen below my room is bustling with the cooking ladies. They crank out bread on an old set of rollers. The meshing sound of the bread makers gears pressing out its uniformity. Pots of food sit simmering on an old wood stove that glows red in the evening when the lights are off and the day is done. Chile is indeed an amazing place. The rivers like the people are beautiful pure and clear. The hospitality is reminiscent of the rivers, inviting, warm and full of mystery. The vista of snow capped volcanoes and treed landscapes both compete for your attention again and again. An old bridge at the put in still hangs defiantly under the new more modern road above it. Old pieces of the original wood hang on the last vestiges of cable strung across.

The students and teachers pile down the rocky slope to put on. To our left an ostensible ski hill of white and Bombay gin creeping upward, around another treed corner and out of sight. To the right, a horizon line of excitement, anticipation and opportunity awaits us all. You can see the trout swimming on the bottom as you swiftly float over them the water like glass. I pick out my first boof of the day and wonder if the children can see it too. Selfishly and secretly hoping they don’t and I greedily have it to myself. Each on of them too busy tucking throw bags and water bottles into their boats to notice or so I hope. Some of them I know fighting off the feelings of doubt, or reveling in the confidence of what lies ahead. The van pulls away stopping briefly on the bridge above us to watch, then with a plumb of unburned diesel it pulls away. At the same time casting a fresh air of necessity into the hearts and minds of the students that are uneasy. The river waits patiently for us, blades swing their arcs as we float toward our destination somewhere in Chile.

MISSION: La Posada, water-fall practice and Pinochet’s legacy.

2010-02-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

After a massive meal at the Dave’s Base Camp in Pucon, we headed toward the town of Choshuenco. (sounds like co-shwan-co) Near by is the Baobab hotel that has a waterfall in it and a clean 25 footer near by for us to huck. The river is followed up by a series of sweet drops and easy class 5 below. The students of course were not allowed to be huckin the class 5 stuff, even though there are many who could. We set out working on the techniques of running a bigger waterfall. Tucking time, angle of landing, power use and where to run the drop so you have the most control. It went remarkably well. All the students enjoyed it, even after Steven Forester chucked his paddle, melted and had the daylights beaten out of him. Tino took me behind the waterfall to a cave we could both paddle into. The thundering roar and mist filling the cave with mist and mosses and for a brief time the two of us. This place is magical, water you can see through like glass. The mountains are all around us volcano’s peeking through. There are massive trees everywhere, tunnels of trees that we drive through leaning out over the road. Outside as a write this article, the fruit truck is yelling out his wares in Spanish. The smell of tonight’s dinner seeps through the floor into my room. We are no longer in Pucon, we are in the real Chile like Daves place deep in the heart of the country. Rustic, poor and thriving. The houses are old, the floors and walls are wood and thin. I can hear a mother and her child playing a silly game next door. I can hear the kitchen ladies, owners, sweeping, chatting in quick Spanish. Tino, a fellow Level 6 Paddler lived here for a while with the ladies and translates when I get stuck. So last night, we went down to have some wine with the ladies of the house. They made this concoction red wine, strawberries together to sip on. Very nice. We sipped and Tino translated back and forth the conversation. Pinochet the dictator evicted this family from their house in Santiago many years ago. Pinochet took their wealth and home and dumped them out on the street. They moved to Choshuenco, bought a small BandB with what they had left and it is where I sit now. If anyone comes to Choshuenco look for “La Posada.” Its on the main drag, it costs about 8 to 10$ a night and the food and hospitality is fantastic. Right now the Huge Experiences Gang all spread over the property doing school work, chatting and having a good time. While in the background Tino plots out the next river run for us to attack with our team of happy campers.

Mission: Home Sweet Chile/ Winter Contrast.

2010-01-29T07:49:00.000-08:00

Mission: Home Sweet Chile/ Winter Contrast.

It’s hard to explain what this place is like I will do my best and probably fail. There are beautiful people, landscapes and rivers here. I am always looking over my shoulder for another snow capped volcano view that never gets old. So many things that set this place apart from the many other places I have been. I consider it a bit of a tragedy that it’s been such a long time getting here. At night I have a sweet mattress a med weigh sleeping bag and I sleep like a baby even without, “starfish” a pet name for my wife, not taking up all four corners of the bed. The weather is perfect coastal warm air rolls in during the day the sun beats down, while at the same time the cold air from the Andes mountain ranges pushes in at night and is a perfect temperature for crashing out. “The Ande” as my new Chilean friend Lorenzo would call the mountain ranges to the east. They don’t have any use for plural forms down here. The little Cabana I am staying in is amazing, It’s up on stilts, inside its just high enough to stand up in and nestled in a jungle that won’t bite. The sound of the river roars into the place and I love it. Ok everything green here has hideous thorns but no Mamba’s, spiders, hippo’s or vicious carnivorous on the river. It’s kind of perfect. The price of things is cheaper here but you can spend a lot of money in a hurry at the bars, food is pricy at the restaurants but cheap at “elTIT” the local grocery store chain. The Huge Exp, base camp is outside town, the NRA River Coach Tino and his partner in crime Lornezo take care of me along with the owner Dave who owns the place. Dave’s place rents boats out which is smarter than flying them down here I think, especially for the hassle and cost. It takes a couple min to catch a buss at the end of the driveway and it’s a perfect base for people to save cash, paddle and hang someplace cool. I am sitting inside with a warm fire, a bunch of students all huddled around a big fat pile of Lasagna, considering how much hot pepper powder to put on it. A stark contrast to my deliberations of a week ago.

This is what I was writing about 2 weeks ago.

Valley Life.

I moved to the area of Beachburg this year, bought an old house and attempted become a part of the community. It’s really been kind of hard, you’re an outsider if you’r not Dutch in these parts, or related to someone at the local cenotaph. My latest obstacle came at the end of the driveway. My driveway is not all that long but its 3 cars wide taking about an hour to clear deep snow out of. I am close to finished and just about to hold up the new shovel in defiance of Mother Nature and all things snowy and cold, I heard the low and deep grumble of a snowplows blade on the asphalt. My wife told me that her dad used to send her and her two sisters to the end of the driveway so the plow operator wouldn’t plow the snow from the road on to the freshly shoveled drive way. Now I am not part Taliban like my father-in-law Chuck (an essentially evil man that hides it better than I do) but I figured he was on to something with this little family first method mine-field trick. I trotted to the end of the drive. I could see the plough driver as he got closer, his dirty mustache and his beady little eyes. Our eyes met in the early morning dawn his hands set and an icy glair…. I ran for my life and in doing so he honked his stupid little horn in glee while filling my lane. Snowplow operators are all evil in these parts. I spent 40 more min digging out my driveway again vowing sweet revenge and escape as the plough grumbled by. It’s like some kind of trial,

some kind of right of passage. Hazing for new comers to the area. Next time I will wear wooden shoes and a scarf for that trick.

Mission: Chile Huge Experience, no Hablo Espanola

2010-01-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

Many people talk of horrible cramped up spaces on planes on long flights. Not me, I got three pimpin seats all to myself and LOVED my flight down to Chile. I snored all the way down all stretched out with 3 pillows. Dave Hughes asked me to chaperone the students, helping them with all the little details of gear, paperwork, navigation, and passport control from Dallas to Temuco. Dave also flew me down on his own dime to give his students extra attention on the river as well.

Its no secret I love to teach and it was a great opportunity to see Chile and escape the cold of Canada. The last I saw of Canada was an ice storm and a nice balmy 17ºF. I took some photos of the Lorne and Bus Eater. Quite a contrast from the view I see on a lake front patio. Photo also attached.

I sat in on a meeting with all the teachers to discuss the game plans for combining education delivery with the ever-difficult estimation of river flows. The school has changed a lot since I worked with Huge in New Zeland years ago. It’s the same amazing program more refined. The base of operations can only be described as beautiful. The architecture of the main building is as beautiful as the landscape around us. The Rio Trancura singing me asleep last night, a sweet warm water run with a play spot at the front yard. It makes the place an ideal spot to base, learn and paddle out of.

Billy Harris

Mission: MOOSEFEST, Brewing boat tea and the regular beat down.

2009-10-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

Mission: MOOSEFEST, Brewing boat tea and the regular beat down.

It was moosefest so I made my drive over to Matt man and RObins house to pick up matty for the trip down. I drove in the driveway and realized Something. I kinda forgot that he coun't come this year. First time in 15 years he missed the moose festival. He was standing on his porch with a gun, and a box of ammunition and said. "wana blow off some steam". 100 rounds later and a smoking barrel he had done just that.....

We met at the casino in 1000 islands, the creator of the worst kayaking videos in history. Scrub that, best and worst. I like Ben’s videos cause they are real, no cool guy editing, speeding up of moves, nobody talking like they are solving the worlds problems. Cars get blown up, gas tanks fall off, drunks get interviewed, hams get cooked on car engines and the occasional touch of porn gets tossed in for what amounts to No good measure what so ever. We don’t know why S&M ben does it but we are glad at the same time. In a bid to keep our costs down we decided that we would sell the heck out of DVD’s to make some money to pay for our trip down. AND WE DID JUST THAT. We sold video’s at the take out with a shot of Fire Ball Wiskey out of the H1N1 shot glass. It was pretty wicked.

Along the way we ran into a huge Canadian Group that was a lot of fun. We watched the whole weekend as Cale Reeder stuffed leaves into his buddy’s boat and then blamed bobby or Boydo, just to have some retaliation and Boydo’s boat filled with leaves too. Both of them getting back at each other while at the same time brewing TEA in their boats for the rest of the trip. We got blamed at first until everyone realized we were at the party and didn’t walk miles and miles to get the Cristy Hotel to do the evil deed….

Anyway People got worked, my buddy had a sweet run through Miggila upside down which ended in a swim,

but there was even a ducky on the river this year. All in all we had a great time. The group photo is of the Onterrible crew below Aggers…

There was even a ducky on the river... which always ends badly....

Here are some more photos of the gang.

FRENCHY's we love em.........

BILLY HARRIS

Mission: Boating, Teaching and having a good time at it.

2009-10-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

I love teaching. I got 5 girls on the weekend that were all beginners from a local ottawa club. Here are some photos. We had a great time. Piano keys, with the dog, carving turns with the ladies all in all it was a blast. The second day we all ran the middle channel. Complete beginners but we had a great time just the same. Special thanks to

Martin Cayouette for taking the photos.

Hope to see you all on the river.

Mission: In my mind, your host. Billy Harris

2009-09-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

Mission: In my mind, your host. Billy Harris

I am in the first heat tomorrow. 5^th paddler. 200 people to go. Wow. Guess its real now, no more training, no more gym no more talk. Its go time.

It’s a strange feeling sitting alone in my room wondering if I can win this thing. I feel that if I want it too badly I might fall short. Then I feel like I really gotta want it as well to win it too. With the wave changing all the time it could be luck too…. But its not. Its all in the mind. I once felt that I was the best freestyle paddler, I knew it in my bones. A burning desire to prove to the world I was the best but wanting it didn't work. Two worlds passed me by and left me with a set of silver metals I can only now look at. One might be happy with that and today I am. I wouldn’t be the person I am for winning. Placing second dragged me to a dark place in my life. One plagued with doubt, self-deception and pain and anger. I wanted to be a big man about it. “Live and Die In Character,” My friend said to me once. But I didn’t, I sucked my thumb about it. Replayed it over and over. Video review bymyself counting and counting again and again... Twice the same guy crushed me by less than a point combined but I felt didn't I felt. To be honest I hated him for it too sucked my thumb sulking and angry. I felt like I was robbed. Kristine Jackson once said to me, “Remember that you are more than a kayaker, you’re a coach, a son, a brother a friend. You are many things more than a paddler. Paddling does not define you.” It’s taken me many years to get that sorted and today I understand.

I have been often asked “why” the soul is just not in freestyle. I always get a kick out of that, never have I looked so deep into a soul as I have my own and its freestyle that helps me do that. My playboat the vehicle that helps me search these depths and find a better person for the process.

Today and for the event the best paddler is not me anymore. I wish it was, the best paddlers in the world right now are Nick Troutman and a little kid by the name of Jason Craig. Technically the best paddlers I have ever seen. Both well rounded in both wave and hole. Well versed in competitions and well adjusted with a burning desire. A work ethic like very few I know and both work hard. REALLY HARD. But in the end its not always the best paddler who wins events in my mind I have proven that. It’s the person who keeps the demons at bay and understands what it takes to do so. Don’t think don’t try just do. Trust in your training.

So here I sit, wondering. Will this be the one? Can I beat this unbeatable kid named Nick? Nervous, scared, happy and ready. So far so good, the kid posted up 2400 a hell of a score. I was that guy once. I posted horrible rides in prelims too. Monsters. But I have learned that pace, is set by someone who has a solid mind a will to win and a good plan. I will be better.

The scores are all wiped clean. Tomorrow is another day.

Billy Harris.

TEAM CANADA PHOTOS

2009-08-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

#THUN TEAM CANADA we remember FRAZ, THANKS SALUS MARINE WEAR

2009-08-31T06:16:00.000-07:00

Not only did Salus come through to outfit our 2007 team but also outfitted the 2009 Canadian Freestyle Team.

The Jackets are everything a kayaker could want and more.

The comfort has surpassed all other paddling vests making the Jazz the best vests on the river. And pimped out with the team logo, paddler's name and For Fraz embroidered on the back, the Jazz vest a one-of-a-kind keeper.

Salus is a small business in kitchener that makes premium quality stuff in canada in house by Canadians.

ON THE BACK.

Many times I have been very happy to answer the question. "WHO IS FRAZ"? On the back of every team jacket it is written, "for Fraz". What I say to people who ask this is; "Fraser Champion was his name. He was a paddler a friend, a guide and a son and a brother. He had a soul mate and paddler named Rosy who was and is like us. I go on and tell them they were a huge part of the freestyle scene back in the day. We lost our dear friend Fraz in an paddling accident and we never forget our friends."

The entire Canadian Freestyle Team wishes to express our thanks to SALUS, Steve Wagner and the ladies that put the jackets together thanks. Each jacket our individual names on each one and will be kept forever.

TEAM CANADA

Mission: #thun/:Thump in the night, a knocked up cat and Swiss training.

2009-08-31T00:38:00.000-07:00

Mission: #thun/:Thump in the night, a knocked up cat and Swiss training.

Worlds opening are on today, we all march around town with our flags and outfits on, and it will be fun. But the wave has everyone on edge, when the wave is there the rides are AWSOME. Moves galore, when its not you can’t surf it and all things in-between. Very much a crapshoot, the cut to 30 should be ok. But after that, it’s a roll of the dice. It’s tough to stick to a routine, unless the wave is wicked. This morning there were 30 people in line at 530 am, all lined up in the dark clanking around in the scaffolding protruding out of the water. Indistinct faces from other countries holding on to cold bars in the dark. Watching intently at the wave looking for a change, all holding doubt and worry in our hearts about what the wave will be like for us when we are surfing…

Simon, the organizer has been non-stop tweaking, helping getting the GOV involved with the wave and water levels. Doing everything he can. In the end if it snows on the ski hill half way though the event there is nothing you can do. Water like snow and most things ma nature is in charge of is unpredictable. Sometimes the wave is perfect; sometimes it’s not at all…

However Nick, Kelsey, Guillaume, Ruth, Carly, myself and the Canadians including Miss’s Troutman, who’s now half Canadian were all Killing it. Canada’s team is intimidating as all hell when we are on the water.

Problems of the home:

The thumping from upstairs went on for a while, thought that there was some heavy loving going on at first. I was scared to find out it might be the old people…. But I figured after an hour or so it needed to come to an end. 11pm still awake. At first I thought is was Kelsey on a fly hunt. He rolls up a newspaper and is infatuated with killing all the flies in the house. There are no screens on any of the windows so he’s been our “SWAT” team, sniping all the flies.

Even at night. I searched the house to find the source of the thumping; there are 5 apartments in this big house on the side of the mountain. One of them held the noisy perp. My hair, is huge fluffy bouffant that gets even wilder as the night goes on. I knocked on the door of the people upstairs (the perps). Looked her square in the eye, big fluffy hair, wearing nothing but shorts and started in on her in English. I guess a half naked man, with big hair in the night making thumping and angry faces got the point across even if it was in a different language. I guess they were chopping up chickens with meat cleavers or something it was pretty out of hand….

I come down stairs just get settled in to sleep and (Boozen-Granny) my mother in law, starts yelling… Carly pops up out of sleep and starts yelling back some incoherent sentences and flapping about in bed. Pish-in-fasha, you guessed was in the toilet again starts yelling as well. I guess Boozen-granny rolled over and a A big cross-eyed cat, who is really knocked up, had jumped in through the window on to the bed and lay down. Thus the yelling…. Dam cowbells going off the entire time. Bells, on every cow…. You can’t imagine what that sounds like till you hear 5 different herds of cows killing grass around your house.

On a Mission

Billy Harris

Mission: Monkey steals the peach, boats arrive & “German words for 500 Alex.”

2009-08-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

Mission: Monkey steals the peach, boats arrive & “German words for 500 Alex.”

We have our own language here. I have tried my very best to get a grip on the German Swiss language. So when in doubt, guess your way though it and that has been a lot of fun… My mother in law is now my “boozen-granny” we get into the wine each night a bit. My father in law is my pish-in-fau-shaa. He’s got a balder the size of a walnut. My wife is “food-in-killa” and pretty much anything I can think up that degrades my buddy Kelsey Thompson on the spot is a winner.

Kelsey told me a wicked story, which won him my company for the day. (Lucky Kelsey) In some ninja book there is a ninja move called “monkey steals the peach”. Mid fight, you drop to one knee grab your opponent by the “nads”, cock your wrist away from you and your opponent dies, bleeding out of the main vein so to speak. Needless to say, with info like that I was going to spend the rest of my day with him….

We decide to do the tourist thing again today; turn number one on our drive kicks off the backseat drivers. There are 5 people and five different directions to go right away. Of course none of them are right and all of them end up being that “I told you”, right at the end. Whatever the case the guy on the steering wheel (me) gets the brunt of it and gets the “relax buddy its not that important” at the end of the trip. Which is easy to say when you are NOT driving on roads 2 narrow, with angry Swiss people honking and directions from 4 people who only know the way at the last moment.

We made it to Bern, but I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough. Lucky for my “pish-in-fau-shaa” needed to go for a bathroom, and took his camera and his wife “boozen-granny” with him.

So we all decided to meet up in the “parken-fortunn”, translated: parking lot. It costs about 10 to 15$ an hour to park. So we decide to meet in the lot at the end of the day and quickly depart ASAP. “food-in-killa” (my wife), wanted to go food shopping and compare prices between Canada and Switzerland. The normal touristy thing to do I would say. Boozen-granny and pish-in-fau-shaa walked to some bear pit at the other end of town and found out upon arrival that all the Bears in the Bear pit had died in April. So much for the mascot of BERN.

Kelsey and I decided to check out the old architecture, shoot pictures and video. We got lost right away. The big clock with lumberjacks, dancers and all that popping out of the co-co clock was not working. The other GIANT clock was out of commission but all in all it was pretty cool cruising around town. Kelsey and I got bikes for about 5 min and decided that we would die if we didn’t get off of them. We met “Food-en-Scarfin” at the end of the day; she managed to find all kinds of different foods for her to eat mostly tofu and seitan. Whatever that stuff is. So we all pile back into the car and reminisce about pretty cool caves that we visited the day before and decide that we needed to do something cool again today. “Boozing-Granny” came up with cowbells. “Lets get em before we hate them and tour the factory that will be fun”. At night all we can hear is cowbells, millions of them all feeding on grass all around our mountain lodge. We are way up in the mountains. So we get the bell factory, 5 seconds in, I was over the cowbells. 4 people all testing the sounds of 300 different types of bells. Imagine for a moment what that would sound like at the end of a long day, Pish-in-Fau-Shaa says, “listen to this one Laur” (boozing granny) “RING RING RING RING RING RING RING RING that being said. I both tested and bought 2, the dutiful little tourist I am.

We roll back into Thun, I am trying not to kill cyclists while taking orders from 4 backseat drivers and we see a giant pile of Jackson boats on the main drag and EJ wearing the worst hockey jersey I have ever seen. EJ, “We got a jersey fo you too billy”. My first thought…..”oh no” My second thought, “I’ll cut it off and make an 80’s belly shirt out of it”…… And the smile returned to my face. “Sweet Eric” I reply. At Jackson we all use words like, “NIIIIIICCCCE” or “Cooooool” or SWEEEEEET with a head nod and of course above all others the Trump word. “AWESOME”. Its important to us, give us all a sense of oneness with the Big Deaf Boss named “ENRIQUE” (Eric) Lucky for me he never reads my stuff.

All in all it’s pretty fun. Eric (his wife) and more than likely Carman and Seth at the factory got our boats right on time. The JK team never paid for a penny to get em over. The JK crew is giving all the boats to the local dealers to sell when we are done so we don’t flood the market with new boats. It was pretty wicked getting a brand new boat down town Thun beside the wave.

Billy Harris aka “Shtoopid-apple” as my mother in law would say.

MISSION: Thanks CDB raffle, a kiss off from CREW CLUB

2009-08-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

I don't want anyone to think I am getting soft. Cause I am not. I don't miss my house, my dog, my family or the people at home who cheer me on but it was pretty darn nice getting support. I got a sweet card from the CREW CLUB, check the photo. Pretty sure, the same person signed most of them in different color pens but I love it. Thanks. all of you even its only 2.....

I got this email from the CDB club. they raised 450 bones to get me paid for over here. Between the 450 from CDB Raffle, 500 from H20 Paddles, 3000 from Salus. (I love you steve) I been getting all kinds of support for worlds:

The raffle went very well with around 45 tickets sold:

Dom picked up the H2O,
Shaun picked up the Salus Jazz.
George, our newest member - from Toronto - got the L6 drytop.
Sylvain Goudreault won a day with billy on the water.

Thanks EVERYONE. Billy and Carly

Mission: SWITZERLAND or Bust, Training darkness, the Ashville distinction?

2009-08-21T02:57:00.001-07:00

I sit in New York waiting to fly to Switzerland with my wife’s parents and with straight up good luck, my parents, in an act of god couldn’t come as well. The old (my dad) boy is in rehab at long last, but not for what he should be in there for. The old boy got a new knee and couldn’t come on the trip to Switzerland with us. Which is kind of good, I cane barely hang on with the LAW family. My wife’s mother is making up for his absence, her constant burping and Chucks (my father in law) hourly visits to the washroom eliciting a stream of abuse from me with no ending in sight. We got to the Toronto airport at the MIL’s urging all right…. Arriving 3 hours before the flight each bag checked about 8 times for dimensions and weight by my neurotic mother in law before getting to the car.

That will end with 2 gravol and a glass of wine, something I won’t mind paying for at all when the plane leaves the tarmac…. The old duck actually photocopied the travel guide for Switzerland in a bid to save a couple bucks, but planed baggage space to spend several hundred on Swiss chocolate for the trip home…. Traveling with them has actually been fun despite my disparaging comments. Carly won’t respond to my immature face’s or my dark comments on the state of humanity which sucks, but the gasps and the “oh my’s” and finger pointing from the “MIL”, just keep coming.

Training for worlds has been so much fun, its hard to call it work when you can’t wait to paddle every morning and evening but its taken its toll on my body and mind. Running 45 seconds of moves through my head over and over step by step again and again. I know all the moves, can stomp all over them but it’s the monster within my own head preaching disaster and failure I struggle with. Combine that with competitive powerhouses like Peter Czonka, Nick (the midget) Troutman, Eric Jackson and others. These guys just live on a different plane, a place where moves flow from one to another with little or no thought. All of us however, carefully teetering on air and on a slight incline, while defending our zone psychological calm. Outside that circle/zone, all around a sea of dark thoughts and doubt, lurking behind every positive mantra.

There has been talk of real soul in magazines and on line. I often wonder what people are thinking when the distinction between different people and different sports comes up. Kelly Slater or Laird Hamilton, I wonder who has real soul. River Running or Play boating who’s got the real soul. Black people or white people, who I wonder who has the real soul. Silly conversations in my opinion, we all have our own fights, our own battles do we not. To say one person’s sport is better or worse than another is pretty weak in my opinion. Correct me if I am wrong, didn’t the death of apartheid in South Africa teach us all not to treat someone different because of their differences. Should we not include sports or do I have to make that distinction for people? It’s a sad state of human nature when people feel the need to place a higher value on something that I am doing vs what someone else is doing.

“Ashville I am talking to you.”

Flights Called…. Gotta bounce.

SUPERSTAR REVIEW: uncut... billy harris

2009-07-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

SUPER STAR REVIEW

For anyone who doesn't know me I paddle for and am paid by by Jackson kayaks... That being said I don't get paid enough to say something that is not true what I write is my own thoughts unchecked and as open as I can be.

I am 190 pounds. I have 32, inch inseam and 30" waste. My torso is kinda normal and I am a smaller guy that just weighs allot for whatever reason. Nick Troutman would say I am fat. But he’s mean and nobody likes him but his mommy……

Getting into the boat the size of the boat around me seemed smaller than the old super star, I found it to be WAY smaller than the old super. But the outfitting and space inside was much more roomy. The boat, ignoring the visual size throws around like the old star not the super star but the old all-star, but a bit harder to pull the stern down than the old one. The ease in which it throws around on flat water surprised me but you have to look the stern into the water when you pull. You also have to remember that I paddle 300 days a year and work on being strong at the gym as well. (Bit o salt with my words) I am also used to being the boss with my boats too. I got into 7-8 holes at 6 and a bit and felt like I was in a past vicious relationship with an old girlfriend. To be short the extra volume is amazing for small spots and the ends being short stopped me from hitting the bottom at places like S BEND on the Ottawa. But Like the x I get bossed around a bunch in large holes and to be frank......... I let out a bit of a squeak the last round I got out of the hole and ran away with my tail between my legs.

The knees are way Higher, I found and we discussed it at length over the winter with Eric during the design process. IT was the team’s thoughts that the knees on the all stars were a bit low and were killing the guys with tree trunks and was causing hip pain to some.

Foot length, I found that the new foot bags are not quite right for the new boats they work ok but they shift a bit especially if yer a shorty like me. I have short legs and have to pump the foot bags up to the max to have the bags reach my feet. I just jammed a big chunk of foam up there in the bow and that fixed my shorty problem. There is a new hip pad coming out soon as well that will help But I can't get more hip pads in the hip pad case.

(Special note) I drill out the cockpit rim with 2 holes and put the straps of the hip pads though the holes to hold the hip pads high on the rim and in turn it holds the backband a bit higher.. email me for deets... b3harris@gmail.com

The length of the new 2010 superstar is the same as the old all star, and its very easy to say its WAY faster just the same. Because I float higher its moves faster too so check it out before you believe it. Its hard to gauge cause I found the old super too tough to paddle too wide too big to throw around, I could but I felt like it was allot of work...

The Rocker on the new boat is lower, it gets more speed but now the bow seems to get caught a little more and you have to pay attention to it after moves a bit more than the last one and on flat water you have to be trimmed well or you will burry the boats bow. It’s SLOWER on the flats... if your paddling with anyone with a river running boat your going to suffer keeping up.

(I trim the boat back a bit and the water line seems to be stern heavy and it works great for me... I also sit on 150 with 2 shims under my butt to make up for my short torso..)

At 190 I am perfect for the boat. I land miracles on the waves now and seem to never flush. I feel like for the first time the BIG heavy people that have been jipped for so long finally get a boat to paddle that works. It will seem big at first but we big boys have been paddling tiny little things for a while so everything will seem big. And that’s about all the leg humping your going to get from me.

Mission: Torturing mothers, poor choice of pets and the DUO..

2009-07-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

My parents always had big tough dogs, hunting dogs, and bird dogs Chesapeake Bay retrievers. Pretty tough animals. Swim forever in cold water, curly fur, wicked animals to hunt over. I say all this to set context of our family. My mother out of the blue shows up in her car with a new Wiener dog she named Sam. Being a nutty old dear she named the dam thing after the dog in a children’s book, “green egg’s and ham”, were all so embarrassed. She actually yells, “SAM I AM” when the dog is on the lamb or needs to come inside.… We (the three brothers and dad and I) all call it the family disappointment. IT got a bit of street credit chasing the next-door neighbors German Shepard off the yard one day. But after badgering the neighbor about his wimpy Shepard laying the smack down on the pure bread canine protector. Sam goes in the house and takes his reward out on the cat by pinning it down and sexually assaulting it. That confermed it Street Credit gone again. I took my mom out paddling with me on the last visit up to beachburg, I bought a house up here. Took her out for a paddle in the bay, dam dog had to come with us too. So when I ran it over with the little inflatable raft in the bay I didn’t mind all that much. My mom lurched to the front of the raft to get the dog. But because it was a cataraft and it takes two to tango if you know what I mean. There was nothing I could do but do dounuts over the poor thing.
She yells at me, “back up,” From the front of the raft groping for a little dog under the tube” Being not all that upset I kept repeating, “Mom you got to paddle backward too” I was also thinking I’ll just do circles on top of your stupid over sexed mutt and the brothers and my dad will be so happy. I might get a metal out of the deal. She always said the dog couldn’t swim, she was wrong and my hopes of chest hardwear left with it.

As I said, I bought a house, got a bunch of cool people renting rooms and now I got a place for all my junk. Along with the Junk come family visits. The duo has been great to stem the tide. My wife’s mom was the first to take the bait. I guess she felt like she had been duped. Someone told her that the river was a short trip. “Wrong”, the first rapid is a wall of water that caught her square in the face. It was silence for the next 10 min and then for the rest of the trip it was all, “you tried to drown me”. Carly, billy tried to drown me. "and repeat for 2 hours". Carly and her dad and I paddle down the river all the time. It was nice to bring the old dear down for a change to see them paddle and experiance the day. We say herons, osprey, fish, deer. Wild kingdom really... The old duck liked that part. Too be honest torture for the extended family has never been so fun. The whole day was a hoot for me, even the surfing was great. Big waves to surf and someone to dunk under the water again and again. I LOVED IT. So if you want to keep the extended unit at bay and away, get a duo promise a trip every time they come up. That will slow em down. But it was also fun to show the unit what we did.

Billy