A few weeks ago I found myself back in the UK with some time to kill. I had some plans that fell through and instead of sitting around twiddling my thumbs at home I needed a mission. After a few emails and chats to some of the boys a plan was formed - I was heading to Norway for 2 weeks!!

The first week was all about Voss extreme week. A week long extreme sports festival that brings together the best extreme sports athletes in the world for a week of competitions, music and of course, partying!

It was the start of my season and I wasn't expecting to be competing at the top level - in the individual race I didn't make the final but had great fun paddling the short course on the Brandseth which started with a pretty big slide, lots of tight little drops and an 8 metre waterfall right in the middle!! The afternoon was the team race - this time on the upper Brandseth - with temperatures reaching 30+ degrees the river was high - it was definitely an 'extreme' race with all the teams experiencing some sort of trashing somewhere on the course. I paddled with Josh Neilson and Jamie Sutton and we placed 4th out of about 12 teams - so happy with that!!

Brandseth Race A perspective of the race - photo credit - Arnstein Karlsen

With Extreme week over and a break from partying we managed to hit up a bunch of sweet rivers. A good international crew were hanging out in Voss and every morning after breakfast we managed to rally the troops and make a plan for the day.

Double Drop 2

Photo credit, Ian Garcia.

Ready to boof on the famous 'Double Drop' on the Tiegdale - we were lucky enough to hit this one 3 days in a row doing the whole upper section as well. Truly a classic with big slides and big falls around every corner, finishing with double drop which is the best boof in the world - period! Boof the first drop, land take 2 paddle strokes and then it's freefall all the way to the bottom.

Double Drop

Photo, Josh Neilson.

Everyday was a different mission and we managed to rack a good few rivers in the last week of boating - I'll let the photo's do the talking...

lake to lake 1

Lake to lake slide. Photo - Dan.

lake to lake 3 Lake to lake from the bottom. Photo, Ian Garcia

Loop Raundalsalva

Playboating on the Raundalsalva - Photo, Michele Ramazza

Raundalsalva - Timberhole Big Volume run - Timberhole on the Raundalsalva. Photo, Sam Sutton.

Kittlebreaker

Kittlebreaker - Photo Sam Sutton

Jordelsalva

The first big one on the Jordalsalva - Photo, Josh Neilson

All in all Norway was a sweet trip - a great way to kick off my season and nice to get back in a creek boat for a while. Good people and good times!! Also I need to say a big thanks to Joe Leader from the UK who lent me his Solo for the trip!

Now I'm back on the Nile and coaching for Love it Live it - back in the big water and styling!!

Take it easy everyone!

Will.