China update from Tino

CHINA! This is the new place to be. There are huge rapids, easy rapids, giant waves, small holes, canyons, open plains, cities, countryside, well you get the point. I was traveling with the New River Academy teaching their video class and helping to coach their world-class junior kayaking team! What a privilege. We paddled three rivers. The Mekong, Salween, and Yangtze. Each of these three rivers has a big water feel but all three have very different features. The Mekong is canyoned in big water. The Yangtze is a lot of flat water with a few big rapids but seemed to continue the trend of the rivers there being mind blowingly beautiful. Then there was the Salween river. My favorite. There are giant rapids on it but what I really fell for there was the play. There were some huge huge rapids that were just super fun. 15 feet tall with eddy service. It will make you fall in love faster that you thought you ever could. It was awesome to walk around there in my gear. People would touch you and your gear and for the kids I loved letting them try on my Shred Ready Helmet. All in all the culture and rivers combined for my best trip. I can’t tell you any more about it because the rest of it will be in the upcoming movie Shades of Green which is being made by Vital Films out of Aspen, CO! Hope everyone is having a great holiday season.

Paddle Hard,
Tino Specht
Team SR

Photos by: Sam Fullbright Michelle Yates Matt West Brian Boyle