All images courtesy of Nicole Mansfiled and Demshitz.

After years of trying to make this trip happen, I was super stoked to finally make it to Uganda to surf the Nile Special and paddle the White Nile’s big water rapids.  Our first few days were spent at the Kayak the Nile compound in Jinja paddling what were to be Bujagali Falls and the other rapids last days before submersion.  I felt fortunate to experience these rapids before they disappeared below the Nile Reservoir created by Bujagali dam.  But, it was a powerful, bittersweet experience,  witnessing first-hand the disappearance of a playground for kayakers and a tourist attraction for this Ugandan community that will not benefit from the power produced by the dam.   This photo is of Dave running Bujagali 2 days before the dam started to hold back water and Bujagali halfway through its drowning process.

The rest of our time in Uganda we spent at the Hairy Lemon, which proved to be an amazing, relaxing kayaker’s paradise.  The days were spent eating delicious food, watching monkeys and birds, and surfing the Nile Special which was only a 15 minute paddle away.

I thought 3 weeks would be plenty of time to surf a wave.  But, I can’t wait to go back.

Enjoy these images from the trip:

submitted by Nicole Mansfield

I will repeat what you’ve heard before.  If you love clean waterfalls, clear water, portaging through bamboo, and tarantulas, head to Chile.  I’ve been hearing about Chile for years and finally I spent the last month experiencing it for myself.   Here’s a quick photo recap (click image for larger).

Dave hiking into the Turbio River, which Ian Garcia somehow convinced Dave and Fred to paddle an hour after picking us up from our overnight bus ride from Santiago that was our last leg of an over 4 day travel journey.

After a night’s sleep on flat ground, I was ready to go boating.  The beautiful gorge of the Rio Machin was my introduction to Chilean whitewater.

We spent another couple of days in Pucon picking up kayaks, sorting our gear, and getting the truck ready for a week long roadtrip up north aiming to run the sections of the Rio Claro before the water became too low.   Here Demshitz Fred, Jake, and Dave are scouting the unrun, but possibly not unrunnable Salto de la Leona.

Dave examines the things that were in his shoe during his booty chug.  Check out the earlier Astral post for a full video on the Rio Claro.

After a good roadtrip, we returned to our home base in Pucon where we paddled the area’s classics and ran a first descent on the Upper Rio Desconocido.  Here Ian Garcia runs the 2nd descent of multi-staged tricky dicky.

Dave contemplates his line on the Middle Palguin.  Photo compliments of DemBrits.

Apparently he was planning on boofing the stout.  Photo compliments of DemBrits.

We loaded up the truck again and headed down south to the cold, rain, and fun rivers to be found there.  Dave’s eating nalca, a Chilean fav.

Dave running another auto-kicker on the Rio Negro.

The week preceding our departure from Chile was spent back in Pucon paddling the classics with all our friends.  Literally all our friends.  Each trip involved at least 13 people.  Here’s Dave running the Nevados slide.

Me running the 20′er on the Nevados.  Photo taken by Laura Farrell

Evan Garcia styling the Demshitz drop.

If it weren’t for the fact that I am now in Alta, UT I would very bummed to not be in Chile still.  But, I left my boat and paddle.  So, I’ll be back.  Can’t wait!

PS, here’s a quick video from the trip, submitted by Dave Fusilli:

Demshitz Chile 2010 tease from David Fusilli on Vimeo.

submitted by Dave Fusilli

Nicole Mansfiield suits up for the 30 foot Medina waterfall in Medina NY. This creek runs under the Erie Canal just before turning and falling about 30 feet.  So yes, essentially there is a river running over another river (canal) a little different to say the least.   The Erie Canal dumps water into the creek right above the waterfall making this park and huck runnable most days of the year!

photos courtesy of Nicole Mansfield

We just got an update from Demshitz very own Nicole Mansfield.  She’s been on the road from April-July snapping some awesome photos of their kill it tour.  Here’s a few of our favorites….  For a complete 2010 photo recap check out the DEMSHITZ GALLERY

Jared routing a stout hole on the Poudre River

Graham boofing in Kootenai Creek

Jared sliding down Wall Check on Yule Creek

Jared surfing Glenwood Wave at a very nice high water level

Benefits of kayaking in the Littlest Big City – Dave skateboarding to the Reno River Festival.

Jared in Cheeseman Gorge

Nicole on the Lochsa River.