Archive for the ‘Jason Shreder’ Category
Whitewater Kayaking – Taking That Next Step
by JASON SHREDER. It’s crazy but as many kayakers as there are in Missoula one would think that it would be easier to find people to paddle with, but it’s a struggle for people that start out on their own. ... more
2 Rivers + 2 Hours = Missoula Fun
By JASON SHREDER - Many towns, such as Boise, Asheville, and Bend boast great river opportunities in or close to town--but here's why Missoula trumps them all when it comes to river fun.... more
Signs and Signals of Summertime in Missoula
By JASON SHREDER - The Best in the West Kayaking Championship marks the beginning of the summer for me and the guides here at Zoo Town Surfers. What marks the beginning of summer for you?... more
Rivers Are On The Rise In Western Montana
By JASON SHREDER - The local river users are bursting with joy as the water levels continue to rise. Here are some safety tips that will assure you of a memorable yet safe experience.... more
5 Things to Include in Your Personal Flotation Device
By JASON SHREDER - Here are the 5 "must have" items I make sure are either in or on my personal flotation device (PFD) when I hit the river.... more
Kayaking and Creating Community at Brennan’s Wave
By JASON SHREDER - Thanks to lots of hard work, Caras Park and Brennan’s Wave have become a place where the community can gather and enjoy the sport of kayaking.... more
Photo Gallery: Montana Whitewater Championship Finals
By AUSTIN SMITH - The final round of the Montana Whitewater Championships were held at Brennan’s Wave in Missoula’s Caras Park on Wednesday.... more
Photo Gallery: Montana Whitewater Championship Pre-Comp
By AUSTIN SMITH - The Montana Whitewater Championships will culminate in the final round of competition at Brennan’s Wave in Missoula’s Caras Park on Wednesday.... more
Kayaking is FUN!
By JASON SHREDER - Whether you paddle casually or attack the biggest rapids in the world, just make sure you're kayaking for the right reason: To have fun.... more
A Sunday Afternoon Yard Sale on the Lochsa River
By JASON SHREDER - It’s that time of year where flocks of Missoulians head over Lolo Pass to run the Lochsa River. Just remember: Don't cheer 'til both feet are dry.... more
Spring River Buzz: Early Season Kayaking Tips
By JASON SHREDER - Spring is just around the corner and the river community is buzzing with joy, eagerness, and excitement. Here are a few tips to get you geared up.... more
Whitewater Kayaking Essentials: The Roll, Part 2
By JASON SHREDER - The roll significantly affects your safety, skill progression (both mentally and physically), and the amount of fun you can have on the water.... more
Whitewater Kayaking Essentials: The Roll, Part 1
By JASON SHREDER - One of the things I love about whitewater kayaking is that’s its constantly challenging. One of the biggest challenges beginners face is learning how to roll (AKA: The Combat Roll).... more
Holiday Gift Ideas for River Rats (aka Kayakers)
By JASON SHREDER - Just in time for Christmas, here are my top 11 gift ideas that are sure to please that river runner in your family and guaranteed to get some use!... more
Winter Kayaking Motivation: Don’t Hesitate, Just Go!
By JASON SHREDER - The ultimate winter day is going to Snowbowl in the morning and surfing Brennan’s Wave in the afternoon. How many places can you do that?... more
Kayaking’s Best: The Rider of the Year and Whitewater Grand Prix
By JASON SHREDER - There are many different platforms to showcase the sport of whitewater kayaking. Whether it's big wave surfing in remote places or whitewater parks nestled in the heart of town, they all cont... more
Lower Salmon River Float: A Great Weekend Adventure
by JASON SHREDER. This past weekend, some friends and I decided to float the Lower Salmon River. This is a great last minute, spur-of-the-moment river trip because logistics are fairly easy. That’s exactly ho... more
River Fun and Kayaking in the Fall
by JASON SHREDER. Summer is almost over. That doesn’t mean you have to stop paddling or enjoying the river. This is actually one of my favorite times of the year to paddle. We have been kayaking, stand up pad... more
Whitewater Kayaking – Taking That Next Step
by JASON SHREDER. It’s crazy but as many kayakers as there are in Missoula one would think that it would be easier to find people to paddle with, but it’s a struggle for people that start out on their own. ... more
Whitewater Kayaking and Learning to Roll
by JASON SHREDER. I remember back to my first days kayaking. I was thinking to myself “what options do I have besides pulling my skirt and swimming if I can’t roll my kayak?”... more
Maiden Missoula Review: Zootown Surfers
By LEAH LEWIS. This summer some of the rivers are a little too high and fast for me to be comfortable navigating the Alberton Gorge without some expert advice. So I turned to fellow Make It Missoula blogger a... more
Blackfoot River Kayaking Challenge
by JASON SHREDER. This weekend the 3rd Annual Blackfoot River Challenge will take place on the Blackfoot River. The event will include clinics, downriver race/sprints, and a whitewater slalom event. Brandon, ... more
Top 10 Characteristics of a Dirt Bag Boater
by JASON SHREDER. What is a dirt bag kayaker? Am I one? Do I know any? What characteristics define the role of a true dirt bag kayaker? Trust me, I have absolutely nothing against dirt bag kayakers because if I... more
Kayaking Safety Gear – River Shoes and More
by JASON SHREDER. A few people have asked me “what is the right kayaking safety gear” and “why are river shoes so important?”. The gear really depends on what type of boating your doing. ... more
Preventing Shoulder Injuries When Kayaking
By JASON SHREDER. Kayaking is a demanding sport regardless of how hard you paddle. Whether you paddle everyday or you’re just a weekend warrior, we have to take care of our shoulders. The kayakers that are ... more
Time to Lose It On the Lochsa River
By JASON SHREDER. The Lochsa hands down is one of the best rivers in the world and I don’t know of anyone out there that would disagree. It has miles and miles of class III-IV rapids, epic surf waves, sweet ... more
Memorial Day Self-Support Kayaking
By JASON SHREDER. Early last week, I got a group email about someone looking do to a self-support kayak trip. Self-Support kayak trips bring out the minimalist in kayakers because you can only bring what you c... more
Paddle Boarding Versus Kayaking
By JASON SHREDER. Don’t worry, I still love kayaking but I’m having fun stinking at a new sport. Recently, I have been Stand Up Paddle Boarding quite a bit and I’m loving it.... more
Go with the Flow and Get in the Know
By JASON SHREDER. Water is powerful and is many times underestimated by people. The river is constantly changing and sometimes is unforgiving and demanding. Please remember to be prepared this season. Get ... more
12th Annual Best in the West Freestyle Kayak Competition
MAKE IT MISSOULA MOMENT: 12th Annual Best in the West Freestyle Kayak Competition--a fundraiser for the MAX WAVE.... more
Kayakers – One Big Family
By JASON SHREDER. No matter where you’re from, what you’ve been through, who you’re with, or how good you are, the river is a common ground. We all kayak for different reasons and that’s ok. ... more
The Selway River: A Preseason Kayaking Treat
By JASON SHREDER. The Selway is an epic river trip. It’s a wild and scenic river and is considered by many to be one of the premier wilderness floats in the lower 48. It’s a tough river to get a permit fo... more
Youth Kayaking
By JASON SHREDER. The future of whitewater kayaking, and most other sports lies in the hands of the youth. The younger generation of kayakers keep pushing the limits of kayaking and are discovering what is pos... more
Old Dawgs, New Tricks
By JASON SHREDER. Last weekend I drove over to the Lochsa River, one of my all time favorites. It was a classic Lochsa weekend, rainy, snowy, with an occasional beam of sunshine. The crowd, mostly from Misso... more
Kayaking Essentials
By JASON SHREDER. I remember when I first started I had an old paddle, a spray skirt with a hole in it, a nerdy looking Pro-Tec helmet, nose plugs so tight I could barely talk, and some other pieces of gear t... more
Are You Drawn or Driven?
By JASON SHREDER. I have been kayaking for 10 years now. In those 10 years I have spent a lot of time on the water. 8 out of those 10 years I have spent over 200 plus days each year on the river. To say the ... more