Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category

Go Pro Photos of Stout 10 | Galen’s guide to the Middle Palguin

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Charging

Its Easy to Apply to New River Academy

 

I was lucky enough to get a GoPro camera over break, and have had a lot of fun so far testing it out on the rivers in Chile over my break. The majority of the school went home for Christmas, but I got to stay the entire 6 weeks in Chile, running some stouter rapids. One of the rapids I was most excited to run was “Stout 10″: a burly 10 foot boof that is right above the Middle Palguin, a 70 foot waterfall into a flat pool.

Still Charging

Line Up

Boof

Land

Style

Throw a Brown Claw

Ferry

Feel the Rush

Enjoy The View

Ride It Proud

Check Your Vitals

Fist Pump

Here is a photo sequence I took with my Go Pro of running Stout 10 on Middle Palguin in Chile. I had great lines on both and great fun! I will let the photos say the rest. Hopefully you can get a sense of what it was like to run it.  Enjoy!

Its Easy to Apply to New River Academy

From the Maipo Valley to Pichilemu | Ocean Surfing!

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Today is our fourth day in the small surf town of Pichilemu, on Chile’s coast. We drove here from the Maipo valley earlier this week after an unforgettable night camping up in the mountains. We had driven up to the site where (if it were to be built) the proposed dam on the Maipo would begin. This 70km bypass would destroy countless amounts of wildlife and beautiful scenery in what is (in my most humble opinion) one of the most beautiful places on this planet. The mountains surround the valley like massive walls, and their snow capped peaks help to illustrate their shear size, some even have glaciers on them. The entire area seemed like something out of lord of the rings; huge boulders lying strewn about a valley, mountains, constant landslides, and perilous roads seemed commonplace. It’s unfathomable to me that someone could even consider destroying such beauty for the sake of something so material as money. But, unfortunately, such is the case here. In september the dam will be finalized, and once again we will destroy one of the worlds wonders in our quest to expand and flourish. Their is some hope for the valley and river however, the locals here are rallying to raise awareness and stop the relentless march of progress. A small group lead by Soco (the owner of the house we stayed in whilst by the river) is organizing events such as the one we participated in to bring people up to this incredible place and show them the injustice of the damming project. I can only hope the people realize what a wonder they are losing in time to stop the project from going through.

After much time spent viewing the scenery and interacting with others from ‘No Alto Maipo” we left for the 4 hour drive to the coast. The drive took us back through the mountains, and out into the agricultural valley below. We passed by Santiago and what seemed like endless miles of vineyards and farmland until we finally began to rise once again into the the hills which flank the ocean. The feeling was electric when we finally glimpsed the vast body of water- massive waves, relentless surf, and long dark beaches. We had finally arrived at our play boating destination; Pichilemu. This small town would be our base for the next 5 days as we tested our skills on the ocean waves. We managed to get out on the surf the first day, however we took it easy and went directly out as opposed to going to the large point break which forms farther down the beach. The waves surprised me in their size and magnitude, they made arial tricks not only possible, but almost hard NOT to throw! Our second day was even better, we headed out to the point break and caught some of the big waves there. Here they dwarfed us in our little play boats and frequently caught us and tossed us around, it seemed that the wave was demanding a toll for every trick. Most of the time we caught them but on occasion one of us would get close, miss, and go head over the heels into a tumble lasting a couple seconds, making for some hilarious wipeouts and beat downs. Fortunately we had 2 GoPros with us, meaning we got plenty of footage of tricks, and the subsequent beat downs. On one such occasion I threw a Pan-Am, (a trick I have been working on all year) and caught it on camera (finally!).

The surf might be the thing that brought us to Pichilemu, but it was the lifestyle that has enticed me to want to come back. The towns culture is unlike anything I have ever seen. A kind of cross between California surf culture, and small town Chilean customs. There is a big main strip consisting of everything from surf shops, to empanada stands. Horse’s and carriages parade around the town, enticing tourists and locals alike, and coffee shops dot the sidewalks offering a temporary reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the surfing lifestyle.

And that brings us to where we are now, sitting in a cafe writing these blogs and updating our Facebook, preparing for another day of paradise and surfing, we leave for the Rio Claro tomorrow, and though I will miss this place, I cannot help but be excited for the next leg of our trip; the infamous Pucon.

My first day in the Gap Year Program | Starting on the Rio Maipo

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

My Name is Keaton Strongman, I am 18 years old and from Mississauga Ontario. I am currently in the Gap Year program at new River Academy, spending 2 months in Chile’s Patagonia mountain region. I have been kayaking for 5 years and got into the sport at a relatively young age when I saw some kayakers from a raft trip on the ottawa river. The sport looked dangerous, reckless, and completely insane, so naturally I was hooked from day 1. While I now know it is in fact a very safe and refined sport, it has not lost its sense of adventure. I now work with those same kayakers that drew my eye those years ago (Ottawa Kayak School). I have Paddled a number of rivers in Quebec and Ontario, as well as some in New York, however most of the paddling experience I have is in play boating, and I welcome the opportunity to learn more about creeking here in chile.

The view from our house

I heard about New River while doing a summer program called the Keeners on the Ottawa river. It sounded amazing and I was convinced it was the right thing for me. It is a perfect opportunity to get out and see the world, while also kayaking, before university. 12 Months after hearing about the program here I am in the Maipo valley in Chile! My first day included a sweet run on the lower Maipo, and I am very excited for our run today!

My Family Photo Shoot

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

Group photo at aunt Kath's annual Christmas dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Christmas dinner my parents and I went to my Aunt Kath’s for dinner as we always do on Christmas. My family loves their group photos. This photo illustrates that, in that it is very posed and rehearsed. Our family visits always consist of at least 5 minutes of posing for group pictures. Usually I am the one forcing a smile for those five minutes waiting for it to be over but this year I was on the other side of the lens. I don’t think I’ll ever get out of my new job as family photographer but that’s ok with me! Featured in this photo from left to right are: my dad, Cousin Ann, mom, Aunt Katherine, and Cousin Colleen.

Big black dogs. My family loves em'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dogs are a huge part of my family. Almost everyone in my family has a dog and if you don’t, you want one. Our loving companions bring our family together in many ways. In the summer they are eager to go on our nightly dog walks that probably wouldn’t happen without them. They also provide endless hours of entertainment for the kids by preforming dog shows and chasing sticks. This is my cousins dog Rowdy who is one of my favorites so I chose to use this photo for my project.

Jackie and mom playing outside in the snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mom loves our horses very much and she spends lots of her time feeding and grooming them. It is something that keeps her busy every day and for her looking after them is not a chore it’s more of a hobby.  Jackie and Jaylo take up a large part of her day but she loves them and this photo makes it obvious that they love her. I chose this photo of my mom because being out in the barn is one of her favorite things to do.

Dad going for a rip on the four wheeler after a long day at work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My dad loves his four wheeler. After a long day at work if there is still light he enjoys going out for a little ride around the property. My dad puts a lot of time into his four wheeler from working on it to riding it. It also allows him to do other things that he enjoys such as hunting, fishing, and collecting maple syrup. I though this would be a good photo to describe my father because he uses it a lot and it is a big part of his life.

Garganta Del Diablo

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Most of the students at New River Academy had been waiting for this day the whole time we were in Chile, maybe even the whole semester. Personally, I had been waiting to run this drop since I first saw pictures of it in when I was in grade 9, three years ago. This run had been talked up so much that I was extremely nervous almost to the point of not wanting to do it. After a lot of contemplating and encouragement from everyone I decided to do it. This was it. I was going to run Garganta Del Diablo.

 

The group at the top of Garganta getting pumped to run it. Who's nervous? It's hard to tell.

 

 

 

 

 

Garganta Del Diablo or Throat of the Devil is an extremely unique and picturesque drop. It is a 20 foot slide to a 25 foot waterfall. On top of that, it is nestled in a 100 foot canyon. It is almost too beautiful and clean to be true. And that’s exactly how the group did when running Garganta. We all did it beautifully and super clean. Everyone was very happy with their lines and had a great time running the drop. A few of us may have been a bit nervous, a.k.a. the girls, but we still styled it. Thanks to Seth and Carla for taking amazing photos and video of all of us!

We did it! Everyone at the bottom of Garganta.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to run Garganta you can’t just run Garganta you have to run a whole section of the Rio Claro along with it. There is a take out two rapids before Garganta but after that you are completely committed to doing the whole run. There are a bunch of fun drops on the run. There is a 10 foot auto boof, two slides, and even a mini Garganta, not to mention a few other fun little drops! Another spectacular part of the run is a waterfall that pours into the main part of the river from the top of the canyon. In a flat part of the canyon you turn a corner and all of a sudden, there is a gigantic waterfall to your left. You can paddle right underneath it. This was truly an amazing experience because that is something I have always wanted to do. It’s easy to say that I have a new favorite river after running the Garganta Del Diablo section of the Rio Claro.

Me on my favourite drop.

 

 

Happy Holidays from the Well-Rounded Ladies and Gentlemen of New River Academy!

Monday, December 19th, 2011

We are nomads.  Moving from one of the world’s best kayaking locations to the next, we have all quickly come to realize that home is just as much the people as it is the place, and that family doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be genetically related.

For the Holidays, all of the members of our high school kayak team have dispersed to different locations around the globe to re-unite with, shall we say, our lovely genetic families, but I thought it would be appropriate to share some photos from our New River Academy Kayak Family Thanksgiving celebration and some other photos from the semester to wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Note: As shown in the pictures, New River Academy men bake, write and share poetry, and give speeches on “How To Be Chivalrous,” and New River Academy Ladies stomp such drops as “Garganta del Diablo” and style runs such as the Nevados.  We are all about balance, and being the best we can be by mixing it up and trying new things with the support and encouragement of each other.  We feel so lucky to have such opportunities every day.

Hunt Jennings and Kincaid Wurl learn to make cinnamon rolls for Thanksgiving breakfast the next morning.

 

Hunt Jennings, Kincaid Wurl, and Galen Volkhausen state clearly that REAL MEN BAKE.

...Although naturals on the baking front, sometimes the boys instigate trouble/ fun in the kitchen... Waaayyyynnne!

Eric Bartl and Alex Muck communicate with each other to find perfect balance in team yoga.

 

Sara Jane Daub runs Garganta del Diablo or "Throat of the Devil." Fellow girls team member Hayley Stuart couldn't get enough and ran it twice.

Me and the ladies of New River (minus the absolutely wonderful Anna and Carla).

Galen Volkhausen, not afraid to be dressed by Sara Jane Daub. Forget your gear? Don't do it, but when you do, we've got each others backs!

Hayley Stuart and Wayne Poulsen make the new recycling center more colorful for Art class.

The Stomping Stouts with Authority Crew stomp with authority by day and give educational speeches on chivalry by night. (Note that the balloon under Kincaid's shirt is unrelated to the speech on chivalry... this was dress up for karaoke).

 

Facebook | Photo Album

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Check out my Chile photo album on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151066446355724.781588.687345723&type=1&l=652e0e02cf

-SJD

Photos from Pucon

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

Its Easy to Apply to New River Academy

Its been a wonderful few weeks here in Pucon. As excited as I am to move on to the Claro river and get to paddle at the Siete Tazas- the infamous waterfall paradise- It is always sad to leave our home base at the Pucon Kayak Hostel.

I’ve gotten friendly with the folks at Ecole, my favorite Internet, tea and cookie/vegetarian cafe, and have loved the rivers and the scenery in this area. I’m excited to come back here to start off our next semester.

While it has been challenging to find the time to take pictures with all we do, here are a few of my favorites from the past three weeks.

Enjoy!

Eric Bartl loads boats under a Huge sky

Sunset over Hot Springs

From Pucon to Nepal.. already getting excited for next fall.

Hayley Stuart modeling a "Cuello" Local chilean knitwear

Villarica Lake: Put in for a spectacular SUP trip

Running the Turbio Twenty Footer

Hunt Jennings models one of the local Chilean "cuellos" or knit scarves

Kira Tenney walks the Trancura Bridge

View from the Nevados Take Out

Hunt waves our School Flag. Thanks Steve Muck!

Rio Turbio

Coca-Cola: global phenomenon

Pucon Lake

Hiking the Turbio Twenty Footer

 

Its Easy to Apply to New River Academy

Pucon Chile

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

While staying at Pucon Kayak Hostel we have traveled far and wide, but one of our favorite places to go is Pucon. A 10 minute drive away from the Hostel where we can have class, get internet, shop, and hangout. Pucon is the place to be in Chile, a ski and raft town, with a volcano constantly towing above the town, if compared to anything it reminds me of Tahoe, California; for Chileans this is their Tahoe, with a lake, mountains and an awesome town.

The Volcano, constantly towering over the town of Pucon

One of many places offering tours to the Volcano and of Pucon

Rafting and Climbing and Skiing!!

Trancura Adventura, one of the many raft companys in Pucon

On the side of main street, usually with the volcano framed behind it.

Another main atraction in Pucon, bikes

Gringo trying to fit in....unsuccessfully

A sick sign for the Pucon fire department

A cheese stand, fresh cheese is the best in Chile

Racks of cool, homemade garnments ranging from sweaters and socks to spoons and forks.

Pucon

Friday, November 25th, 2011

Pucon is the small tourist town that is located about five minutes from Kayak Pucon Hostel. This is an assignment for English class that I thought would help better illustrate my photo assignment for the town of Pucon.

There is not a white fluffy cloud in the sky, allowing the hot golden sun to beat down on the chilled fabrics of my black sweater. This heated feeling is something that only seems to happen in the heart of Pucon. On the outskirts of town it is usually cloudy and damp, but in the city center it seems to be more alive. It is like the main attraction at the fair. It is the reason why people come to the town of Pucon. It is full of culture, good food, and adventure. I turn around and on this clear day I can see a tall white towering figure. Do I see smoke slowly billowing out the top? The ominous grey smoke illustrates how powerful the snowy white giant has potential to be. The resounding musty smell of smoke reminds that this time bomb could explode at any moment. However the town does not feel threatened by the brown, snow-covered volcano. The street remains cluttered with green and blue signs advertising the risks and adventure that the town has to offer.

The volcano in Pucon.

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