This is Canoeing DVD - A Review

[Adrian Cooper]

I’ve been given a preview of this DVD by Justine Curgenven and what an superb DVD it is. Now I know the phrase ‘Something for everyone’ is a bit hackneyed but it really applies to this production. There are 12 short films, each well worth watching, with a total viewing time of 3 hours, excellent value.

The DVD covers the whole spectrum of canoeing from recreation, expeditioning and competition.

The filming is excellent with some fantastic scenery and some creative use of headcams for some river descents.

There are some biographical pieces (featuring our own Ray Goodwin), some documentary style pieces but also, for the escapists, some ‘canoe porn’.

Most of the filming takes place in either Canada or the UK and enthusiasts will see the favourites of the Petawawa and Scotland.

The whole scope of the canoeing art is covered to some extent or other, wilderness tripping, hard steep creeking, canoe freestyle, open canoe slalom. I’m not normally a great fan of competition but the open canoe slalom was really quite enjoyable and I spotted a great quote which suited me ‘’I enjoy practicing more than competing’’.

I’m going to have to admit to my favourite bits which are the Rannock Moor section with Dave Rossetter and the Mountain River section expeditioning in North Western Canada. Both a lovely mixture of technical paddling, fantastic scenery and the outdoor experience.

Whilst I would definitely recommend this DVD to any canoeist, be warned, once you have finished, you will be on the internet booking your trip to the Canadian outback.

PS. Just to name-drop, featured paddlers include:

Kevin Callan
Becky Mason
Paul Mason
Mark Scriver
Andrew Westwood
Karen Knight
Bob Foote
Wendy Crater
Ray Goodwin
Dave Rossetter
Chris Cooper
John Kazimierczyk
Eli Herbert
Andy Walker
Hailey Thompson
Carolyn Peterson

[The Cumbrian.]

When's it available Adrian?

[Adrian Cooper]

According to Justine, 12 March but it looks as if some places are selling it right now.

I think if you order it, you are sure to have it by next week.

[The Reverend]

My (pre-ordered) copy has just dropped through the letterbox - it's going to take a lot of discipline to get on with work today and not spend three hours watching the DVDs.

But the important question is where do I get to try Open Canoe Slalom in the UK? It looks like serious fun. I've tried C1 and haven't really got on with it (I'm not into being strapped in to what is after all a modified kk - probably made worse by the fact that the one I have was probably not designed for those of a fuller figure and so has a nasty tendency to flip when I paddle it).

By the way, that should be Wendy Grater on the list of names dropped - from Black Feather. And we've already booked this summer's trip to Northern Canada with her .

[MagiKelly]

Mine has not arrived yet

[mikemorini]

Mine Has
Just got to wait until I can get to the DVD player . Kids, who'd have em!!!

Mike

[The Reverend]

So far I've had a chance to look at the Open Canoe Slalom and the Ray Goodwin videos and the Mountain River one. If they are all of this quality it's going to be an excellent DVD. But I now really want to have a go at open canoe slalom.

The Mountain River is added to the list of rivers we have to paddle.

Ray's video is excellent - watching him (and Dillie) on the Dee is an education in itself!

[Pauly]

Not had chance to watch the second DVD but the first one was ok, if a little mushy if ya know what I mean. Maybe the first DVD could have been compacted into a 20 min slot.

Paul

[Fran]

Mine arrived on Friday. Watched disc 1 on Saturday and disc 2 on Sunday (wasn't I a good girl?) and enjoyed them both thoroughly.

[MagiKelly]

I had a quick look at them over the weekend but watched the first disk properly last night. Very good indeed.

[paddler.nl]

Mine arrived this morning. Had a quick look at the Mountain River, Canoe Slalom and Canoe Dancing.
I think it is great that our sport now has a DVD to match "This is the sea" series for getting people enthousiastic.
Would love to have a go at open canoe slalom.

[Big Al.]

I got mine at the Paddlefest and imposed on Ray for his autograph. He suggested that I bring it along to Castle Semple to get Becky's too, and then I should do a wee trip to the "States" to get some more. Now there's a quest worth thinking about.

I've only got to watch a couple of the clips so far, but I'm really looking forward to the rest of them at the weekend.

[Sprocket]

I met BigRich today who has seen this and passed on first news of it to me with most strong recommendation such that another purchase seems imminent.

[Paul75]

For those near the Brookbank London store (Waltham Abbey) Justine is giving a talk there this Thursday (25th) about her DVD's etc.

As I've not had enough posts I cannot add the Link but if you go to brookbanklondon.co.uk and look at latest news it's there.

Also appears Becky Mason is also giving a talk there on the 6th May.

Paul