Wave Sport Team Member Bryan Kirk sends over a description of his latest trip into Wild, Wonderful (and frozen solid) West Virginia to test out the new Diesel 70.  How did it perform?

Photos by Brian Jennings.

I awoke this morning with a knock on my bedroom door; my roommate Brian J was exclaiming, “Mill Creek is running!” For the past 2 weeks West Virginia has been in a deep freeze, with some nights well below zero. This latest winter storm has been kind to Fayetteville, dropping over an inch of warm rainfall on top of 4″ plus snow on the ground.

At the put-in, I was wondering where all the ice was. Around the bend, I found the answer to my question with a massive ice dam. I didn’t want to portage in the snow, so I plowed up on the ice and use my AT2 and hands to push my way across.

At Mill Creek falls, the 20 footer with multiple lines, I was wondering how the planing hull of the new Diesel would feel on the landing. I landed with around a 40 degree angle, and the bow hit first with a surprisingly soft feeling. The rest of the boat landed and propelled me out away from the base of the falls. This was slightly flatter than I like to land off a 20 footer, but the new sidecut on the bow made it feel similar to landing in a round creekboat. I was stoked - my main concern about taking the Diesel creeking was put to rest. It landed much softer than the original Diesel.

The new Diesel 70 also boofs like a champ, thanks to the new, more gradual rocker profile. The stern feels like just the right shape to slice in while boofing to raise the bow, but not too small to feel squirelly in rapids.

I’ve been paddling my Habitat 74 lately on the Green, Manns, and Wolf creek. Hopping into the Diesel on Mill creek today was a pleasant change from my round creekboat. The Diesel feels more sporty, or high-performance, and is definitely faster than my creekboat. The chines let me hold a nice line though rapids, then glide a nice arc into eddies with just the lift of a knee.

I knew the new Diesels would excel in high-volume, pushy runs. Today proved to me that the Diesel can get me down rocky, steep creeks with the same confidence, yet more agility than my creekboats. Now I’m going to be faced with the quandary of what boat to take to my local creeks; I guess my mood will determine which boat I throw in the truck from now on….

Colorado Kayak Supply has just posted a complete review of the Wave Sport Project 54cx Limited Edition.

So…how’d it fare? Read the intro, if you’re still interested check it out. I know we’ll be clicking.

The 2009 Wave Sport Project 54Cx has been getting plenty of attention recently, in fact it’s almost controversial. Does the sport of whitewater kayaking really need a $2500 composite freestyle boat? Will it help you to become a better paddler?

—> Read the rest over at CKS Blog.

When you finally get back on land and dry off (well, at least mostly..) it’s time to share the party. That’s why Wave Sport.com is developing a new website and social community for owners and fans! Get loads of information on where to paddle, what to paddle, who to paddle with, what happened out there, and much more. The new site launches in March, so check back here on the Wave Sport news blog to keep up with the latest announcements.

It’s gonna be a wild year.

Where would you go if you had no limits? To find out, check out the Limited Edition Project 54cx, made of innovative carbon fiberglass composite material.

Developed to push the limits of hull design, outfitting design, construction materials and performance freestyle kayaking. The result: 20 lbs of ultimate playboat high-performance.

Find out more.

Want one? Better hurry. Only 50 of them are being produced worldwide!

Wave Sport proudly sponsors the National Paddle Film Festival coming this February in Frankfort Kentucky. Be sure to check it out. Awesome images and for a great cause. Details below.

• Event Description

The NPFF is here, and we’ve got a big one for you this year!

For 25 years, the NPFF, along with American Whitewater, has raised thousands of dollars for river conservation efforts. The NPFF is an all-volunteer organization – all money raised goes to organizations such as AW, the Green River Access Fund, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, and many more, and to continuing the Festival for the next year.

For NPFF 2008, we’ve moved to the Clubhouse at the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY. With over 5,000 square feet available to us inside, and a full wraparound covered porch, there’s more than ample room. There is also ample parking for Festival attendees.

We’ve got hours and hours of film for you to watch. This year has seen a strong showing in the Accomplished and Professional categories, and, as always, some really good Amateur films.

Last year’s Guest Host John Grace from Lunch Video Magazine will be returning this year for an LVM Premier.

NPFF- National Paddle Film Festival Feb 20th-21st
Place - Buffalo Trace Distillery
1001 Wilkinson Boulevard
Franklin County, Kentucky 40601
Website- http://www.surfky-bwa.org/NPFF/

Check out some action video from Team Wave Sport members Kelsey Thompson and Bryan Kirk looking for trouble in the 2009 Diesels.

2009 Wave Sport Diesel from Kelsey Thompson on Vimeo.

Bryan Kirk, a member of Team Wave Sport, has provided a great preview of the new Diesel and what went into the production process of redesigning this popular series, including new photos of the Diesel in action!
———————
The original Diesel 65 and 75 defined the term ‘river runner’ when they were released back in 2005. The designs were so solid that Team Wave Sport and countless others used the Diesels as their go-to big water AND creekers for years. Its combination of forgiveness, maneuverability, and bomber outfitting made choosing the Diesel a no-brainer no matter what river you were putting on.

For the 2009 season the Robert Peerson and the design team at Wave Sport decided it was time for an evolution of the ‘SUV’ of kayaks. We went out to improve every single aspect of the Diesel, and even added a size to the series.

How did we make it faster? With a new rocker profile and increased flared sidewalls in the bow and stern.

How did we make it more maneuverable? By eliminating the section of the rocker break that hindered quick turning. This also gave us the only loose river runner on a green wave!

How did we make it stay on the surface in huge rapids? We peaked the deck in the bow and stern just enough to resurface predictably and smoothly.

We now have 3 sizes to choose from in 60, 70, & 80 gallon versions. The new aluminum-base thigh hooks are more adjustable and will allow the even the tallest of boaters to have a perfect fit with a higher knee area.

Test Run
I was fortunate enough to be able to paddle one of the first Diesel 70’s at Great Falls on the Potomac River over Thanksgiving. It proved to me that all of our prototyping and testing really paid off. It was as if you took all of the attributes of the old Diesel and put them on steroids. The first thing I did was to lean the boat over with my hips to test its stability. The 70 felt more stable than my old 75 gallon version, and at least as stable as my creekboat, the Habitat 80! I felt like a faster, more controlled paddler in the 70. It carved into micro eddies effortlessly.

I resurfaced the 23-foot Spout waterfall in control and moving away from the drop with speed. The deck now sheds water amazingly well in big wave trains thanks to the new peaked shape. The Horseshoe Wave at the base of the falls was almost totally washed out and didn’t even look surfable, but I stuck a 180 then backsurfed it with no foam pile at all.

The redesigned Diesel paddles better in every aspect than the original. It’s going to be my new go-anywhere, do-anything boat this winter in West Virginia. I can’t wait to take it on a Lower Meadow into 15,000 cfs Upper Gauley run. I’d feel 100% confident in the Diesel 70 on a big mission like that.

-Bryan Kirk

Bryan also contributed some specs and insight over at the Colorado Kayak Supply Blog, check out their review here: http://cksblog.com/?p=979

Pics (Click to enlarge)

From the article at Paddling Life Magazine Christmas Wishlist with Pro Kim Russell:

Wave Sport’s new Diesel 60, 70, 80

Meet Wave Sport’s redesigned Diesel, the ultimate 4×4 of kayaks. With its new rocker profile and increased flared sidewalls, this kayak is faster than its predecessor. In addition, its is even more maneuverable, loose and forgiving! With its comfortable, easy-fit outfitting, its new thigh hooks, and three sizes, this boat fits anyone and everyone. This boat is truly the 4×4 of kayaks, running rivers effortlessly and even rivaling the Habitat for its creeking ability. But it’s also great for beginners. So, if you’re looking to give to a boater who wants to run-rivers and wants to step it up on the occasional creek, this is the boat for you.

http://www.paddlinglife.net/article.php?id=374

Merry Christmas.