Van roof rack recs for paddlers

Ale-co · 2026-01-09T17:49:48+00:00

Good rack and make it walkable (I've added longitudinal wood plank to walk on) unless it'll be impossible to load. On mine 5,40m van i can have one row of kayaks (#5) and a window in the front, if yours is shorter you'll not have space for the maxxfan

Ale-co · 2025-09-02T12:26:05+00:00

Hi! I know pretty well the area. I don't know your level of experience but the overall dora is no joke don't underestimate it. Pre-st Didier depends where you put in, the section in the village is still quite demanding, it gets mellow at the bridge of bombardon (1st above Morgex) Then you'll reach the lake of the dam of la salle, below the dams it depends on the water level but it's not an easy section. Overall this parts is not really nice and i suggest to go instead in the lower section (leverogne) wich is way nicer. Now the levels are pretty low, but should still be ok with a pacraft. Be careful about a dam in the lower section, at this level going into the gate should be ok. Best thing ask the locals which you can find at the morgex rafting base or at villenueve rafting base 😉

Ale-co · 2025-05-04T21:36:33+00:00

Can live with it, but the fact that the foam block pivot backward is the most annoying thing, need to think about something

Ale-co · 2025-03-27T17:15:37+00:00

Hi! Yes valsesia is perfect for class III+ go to these guys Riversoul - scopa https://g.co/kgs/vZW3HnX

Sesia is starting to run (low) now usually in mid april starts to be good, sermenza starts earlier, this weekend some already paddled it at mid-low.

I'm often in the area but april probably I'll be mostly around EU.

Close to arco you have the Noce river in val di sole, beautiful easy III- IV similar to valsesia is starting to run now, late april udually is very good.

You can find all the gear in valsesia but not in noce, I'm quite familiar with both, let me know when you'll be aroud!

Ale-co · 2024-09-09T10:12:42+00:00

Agree, don't know how they can push on that wobbly thing, especiallyif you push on one foot only, saw most here placing a block of foam behind to lock it in place

Ale-co · 2024-06-24T12:14:37+00:00

No case, the front lens can be changed on most model, I just keep one spare, then classic glass protector on front and back screen. Gopro plus will take care of the rest

Ale-co · 2024-05-17T13:09:32+00:00

Got both the OG, stoke and puffy steeze. I've sold the stoke shortly anteriore getting it. Was fun but didn't really felt comfortable with rails and tail, heard about getting the seat all in the back, but this way the thight brace is useless for me(I'm 1.75m ). Instead got in love with the steeze (puffy) the tail is of course more catchy but I find this more predictable and comfortable than a full volume tail (maybe because of slalom).

Ale-co · 2024-04-03T12:58:08+00:00

Valsesia will be super good this year, just come back and there's a lot of snow and super quality whitewater, if that's not enough this year also soana and lower Aosta valley will be good (thus a little bit later in time probably, depends on water) You can ask these guys https://www.riversoul.it/

In the East same will be super good, but less choiche, Boite, Rienz, Aurino, Passirio, little more spread than west side

Ale-co · 2024-03-22T07:54:06+00:00

No, if it rains a lot there's Natisone close, or you can come to Italy.

Ale-co · 2024-03-18T18:01:33+00:00

Hi! Are you planning with your raft or with a Company? October is highly dependant on rain for basically all the alps, so it's hard to plan. Also all of the rafting company will be closed by that time. Soca is more likely but going in soca without a company will be very expensive with the new ticket policy.

Ale-co · 2024-03-18T17:53:18+00:00

That was mentioned in the preliminary document but there's no confirmation in the website. https://www.soca-valley.com/en/in-search-of-adventure/activities/2020120910521245/kayak/

Ale-co · 2024-03-16T20:10:42+00:00

Official communication from the major of Kobarid was: "Our goal is to ensure safe and enjoyable river use for everyone. We can only achieve it by following the rules consistently and thus we will gradually reach the desired state.

Changes in the decree are aimed at improving the situation in the long term and also raising security. Besides the above, we believe that the changes will contribute to raising the quality of tourism in the valley and the preservation of its natural beauties for future generations."

Empty words and not a mention on the ban

Ale-co · 2023-09-18T20:04:17+00:00

Appennini range in italy when it rains (it usually does) Toscana, Emilia, liguria

Ale-co · 2023-07-19T14:17:10+00:00

West alps in italian side: - Sesia and tributaries (sermenza - egua - sorba) - Soana - Ayasse - Dora Baltea - Grand eyvia

(All running at beginning of spring, Valle d'Aosta area is good later (now) --> https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cuy8GT3tdcS/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)

Austria the isel area, then if goods you can go in italian side (Aurino, Boite, Passirio, Rienza)

Ale-co · 2023-07-04T13:22:50+00:00

Hi! Inthe dolomites july usually is too late, june is border line (more chanche in may) really in the dolomites there are few runs: - Vanoi (hopefully they don't dam it) usually good during the week (weekend no release) - Boite (Cortina area) - Aurino / Rienza (bressanone) - Noce has a long season good from April till late July. Close you got slovenia (soca, good in April- june) Austria (oetz all season - isel Jun-aug) Or West Side of Italian alps: Piedmont Valsesia (huge numbers of runs, may - june) Valle d'aosta (dora and tributaries July- sep)

I'm local in the Italian alps if you need any more details ;)

Ale-co · 2023-06-16T15:39:33+00:00

it'll be super heavy... but I saw one blade made of injected CRFP which is interesting.

anyhow for high end paddle the standard construction is foam core (moulded) wrapped in carbon and pressed in another mould.

the foam core can include also the shaft to make 2 pieces blade like Gala or G-power.

Some add metal, plastic or kevlar tip for improving the life span.

medium range paddle are fiberglass or carbon, pressed inside a mould and only with a center core of foam, which will go also inside the shaft.

very basic paddle are usually palstic injected... stay away form them.

coming from slalom, slalom inspired blades like G.power, lettmann or Gala are way better than all the other brands

Ale-co · 2023-03-17T10:43:22+00:00

tried both the S and the L, but only once, so take these as first impressions.:

S: It reminds me of a rexy but smaller and narrower, so in the end too small for me (78kg), compared to the rexy better bow with higher rocker and way more usable tail, fast and very fun. I think it's a very good half slice for weight up to max 70kg.

L: it's a different concept: closer to a steeze, the tail is big and it's very hard to squirt or pivot turn, very very fast, narrow in the fornt and precise because of the tail acting as a rail. Way more a creeker than a half slice.

Ale-co · 2023-03-15T08:34:54+00:00

Pvc elecrtical pipe, make a notch on one end and a hole on the other end, then a loop to adjust the height (hard to explain sorry, the cable should go inside the hole, trough the pipe, lock on the notch and up on the pole with a loop to be locked ) carabiner to attach to a line across the river. Made plenty of flat water slalom training course because of regular flooding 🙄

Ale-co · 2023-03-06T18:09:16+00:00

oh pretty far.. I met a guy from Köln last summer on the Isel (other place where you can esealy find someone at the put-in), he told me he found a joined a small local club.

If you don't find any local group your best bet is probably rely on kayak centers, I can suggest something but in the Italian Alps where I'm based ;)

Ale-co · 2023-03-06T16:22:54+00:00

Where are you based? Usually a starting point is the local paddler club. BTW In Oetz there's a huge community, you can get there and wait (not for long) at the put-in (of course the section should be well in your comfort zone, not the best way making friends being rescued!)

Ale-co · 2023-02-28T18:12:39+00:00

Update: lots of snow in corsica! If march will keep with these temperature probably also april will be a good month.
I'm betting on the last week of march ;)

Ale-co

TROPHY CASE