The promise of a competitive surfski field drew me to the Carolina Cup for the first time this year. Historically a huge SUP race, the 13 mile Graveyard race is quickly gaining a reputation as a fun ocean race that now had the attention of the surfski community. Surfski participation jumped from just 12 in […]
Author Archives: Chris Hipgrave
April
14
2017 Shark Bite Challenge & Paddlefest
posted by Chris Hipgrave
What does it take to run a massively successful paddling event with over 450 participants from all over the World, hundreds of spectators and dozens of vendors / sponsors? What does it take to bounce back to an even stronger event in the shadow of the US Coast Guard shutting down your event the year […]
March
30
REVIEW: EPIC KAYAKS V12(2G)
posted by Chris Hipgrave
I’ve been waiting on the second generation Epic Kayaks V12 for a long time. As an early adopter of the V14, I’ve loved the speed, clean lines and comfort of this speed demon, but as an inland paddler, I struggled with the stability on rough days out in the ocean. Basically, I would cross that […]
January
12
REVIEW: WERNER PADDLES IKELOS
posted by Chris Hipgrave
For my recent adventure to Antarctica, I needed to find a paddle I could both travel with and trust in this harsh environment. I needed a 4 piece paddle I could use every day to cover hundreds of kilometers; that suited my aggressive racing stroke (i.e., high angle and powerful blades); and one that would […]
January
05
Antarctic Peninsula – Update #3
posted by Chris Hipgrave
My Antarctic adventure has come to an end and what as adventure it’s been. Since returning to sea to cross the Drake Passage and return to the Antarctic Peninsula, the weather has been unbelievably nice. The wind has died and the sun has been high in the sky rapidly accelerating the growth of the sea […]
December
17
Antarctic Peninsula – Update #2
posted by Chris Hipgrave
Since my last update, we departed Puerto Williams, Chile and headed down the Beagle Channel and out across the Drake Passage to return to the Antarctic Peninsula. Things are warming up as the short summer takes effect. Penguins are raising their young chicks; the wiener Elephant Seals are growing fast and whales are becoming a […]
December
06
South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula
posted by Chris Hipgrave
After 2 weeks of exploring South Georgia and the Antarctic peninsula, we crossed the Drake Passage, made a pit stop at Cape Horn where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet, and then headed into Puerto Williams to resupply and change a few guides and guests. The past few weeks have been nothing short of incredible […]
November
18
Beginning the Antarctic Adventure
posted by Chris Hipgrave
In 1982, Argentina invaded a tiny, inhospitable island in the South Atlantic I’d never heard of. Soon there after, the British Task Force was dispatched to sail south and deal with the situation and as an impressionable teenager growing up in the UK, I spent the next 74 days glued to the TV as our […]
October
24
VIDEO: 2016 Lord of the Fork
posted by Chris Hipgrave
GoPro footage of my 2016 Lord of the Fork race. Tried a few different lines this year. Not sure if they are any faster, but they felt good. Ended up 3rd and very happy to be on the podium again. Winning this race, however, has been elusive. New year!
October
12
2016 TVCC OCOEE RIVER RACE
posted by Chris Hipgrave
The annual Ocoee Race has quickly become one of my favorite whitewater races. With excellent organization, great participation, 5 miles of fun whitewater, plenty of opportunities to train with friends leading up to the event, and knowing that your entry fee is helping a great cause, it’s easy to see why. 2016 was no exception. […]
