Feedback 2004

We have had an overwhelming amount of feedback from everyone and so far it has been all good and constructive. Everyone has been unanimous in enjoying the course and everyone is keen to give it another crack next year. Fantastic!!

The early start was unavoidable and we found it just as hard as the competitors, but things like drinking water, music, more river water, better safety and a clearer finish line will definitely be addressed.

If you have anything to add, let us know.

Here are a few of your comments.
Hey! Thanks for the great weekend and for all your hard work! Was really fab! Here’s to the same again next year (or on the Morriston!!!) - Liz Turner

* The party was excellent the band ROCKED. I thoroughly enjoyed the event and will be back for the next one. Keep up the good work! - Stephen
* it was all in all a wicked weekend
a perfect mix of people, partying and paddling
thanks and
take care
jenny
* thanks again to you and all the other people who were involved in arranging
the competition at the weekend your hard work was much appreciated. I had an
amazing time and the only draw back now, is facing the anticlimax which work
has now become - Euan
* That event was wicked, I reckon that was the kick up the arse Scottish paddling needed…….The shuttle bus was awesome as it saved a lot of hassles in the early morning as did sorting out kit the night before…..Parties were both awesome, but for obvious different reasons - Fraggle
* You organised a blinder and apart from the lack of some staggerable camping at the party this event was great. - David Niven.
* What a fantastic event! well done on organising a brilliant Scottish paddling weekend…and thanks for getting me back into my paddling again. I had a fab day - Karen Thomas.

Paintball 2004

Perthshire Paintball is a rapidly expanding company who are delighted to be supporting the Liquid Life Festival.

We look forward to providing a complementary land based activity at the main event arena by offering short trial game sessions to introduce paintballing to anyone who wishes to try this activity.

PaintballIf you’re attending on September 11th and looking for further exciting challenges during your adrenalin packed day, then this is the game for you.

We are offering a session of paintball tag at the venue and will be providing free of charge gas operated semi automatic paintball guns, unlimited gas, and safety kit including combat overalls & goggles. We will be charging a mere £3.00 for every 100 paintball’s you shoot.

Perthshire Paintball prides itself in providing excellent action packed games that offer a great day out. Currently we are operating from six sites within Perthshire for paintballing giving a variety of game scenarios and environments for you to play in.

We can’t guarantee that you’ll get a medal but you’ll certainly be decorated!

Function 2004

This years after event function will be held at the historic Castle Menzies in Weem, about a mile and a half from Aberfeldy. There will be live music provided by the Jimi McRae Band and there will be a full bar until 2am.

The band has just completed a string of UK festivals this Summer at: T-in the Park - The Stockton Riverside Festival - Traquair Fair - the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2004 at the Jimi McRae Band Spiegeltent and on the PRS stage on Fringe Sunday and on The Ross Bandstand on Princes Street.

Entry to the function will be free to kayak competitors, £5 per head for non competitors. Please be sure to book additional tickets when you enter the event.

Anyone else wishing to order tickets for the function can contact us to do so.

Other stuff 2004 Festival

THER STUFF 2004

All the other stuff we have at the festival will be available for competitors and spectators to try for free. That’s right, no charge, so come along and have some fun!

Inflatable Bar Fly With the Inflatable Bar Fly the idea is that the participant dons a Velcro suit, then runs and jumps on a trampoline provided to launch them as far up the Velcro wall as possible.

Sumo Wrestling The participants each climb into an inflated sumo suit to make the person very fat and bouncy and a padded hat is also provided to complete the sumo wrestler look. The object of the game is to knock your opponent to the ground or out of the green circle on the mat. Entertaining to take part in and more entertaining to watch.

Surfing Simulator Think your balance is good, have a go at this! The Surf Simulator is self-explanatory; the participant stands on the board and tries to stay on as long as he or she possibly can whilst it gyrates from side to side.

Rafting 2004

Rafting is a great way of descending rivers and non-competing friends and family can take advantage of the extra water and book one of the raft excursions that will take place that day.

The River Tummel is one of the best rivers to raft in Scotland and the section we will run is between Loch Tummel and Loch Faskally. The class IV Double Drop waterfall , (total drop about seven metres ) onto Loch Faskally is not only the highlight but a fantastic way to end your trip .

The Tummel season runs from June through September each year after which the River Orchy starts to flow . Typical Orchy season is from October through March .

There are many other trips to do worldwide and we can send you information about some of the many other destinations such as Turkey, Zambia, Chile and the Grand Canyon that you can raft.

Join in the festivities for a great day out . Spots are limited so it is essential that you book early.

2004 Report by Stanford Rickets Sept 2004

vent Report by Stanford Ricketts - September 2004

Highland weather did not deter competitors at the inaugural Liquid Life Boater X event on the weekend as the usual assortment of kayakers and groupies drifted in for registration at the Red Bull tent on the Friday evening. BBQ smoke wafted through the air as Fraggle tanked up for his personal show, which was a beauty, that I am sure some will never forget!

Saturday morning saw competitors warming up with free tea and coffee at the Scottish Canoe Association tent, whilst the first 16 boats were shuttled up to the start for the 8 o’clock whistle. Scottish and Southern generously turned on the taps up to 384cfs as four kayakers per heat cranked their way down the course at five-minute intervals.

Where some people thought positions could be made up on the flats, it was actually in the rapids where shortcuts were found, and shortcomings exposed. The technical course definitely showed who had the skills. Competitors were slowly weaned out through rounds 1&2 with a break before continuing with the quarter and semi finals.

Some fine boating (and swimming) skills were displayed and had the crowd hooting at the finish line as competitors raced over the double tier waterfall. Meanwhile, the safety crew at Zig and Zag had their hands full whilst the camera crew were smiling.

There was an awesome feeling of comradeship amongst the competitors as they cheered and congratulated each other throughout the event. I’m sure the constant supply of Red Bull at the finish line helped with the energy.

Bridget Thomas powering to first.Sunshine and rainbows saw Bridget Thomas sweep up the first prize in the women’s, with Claire Scott who got pinned in Zig and Zag awarded second due to the fact that Jennifer Berry and Sara Howard decided to cross the finish line out of their kayaks.

First men’s went to Cammy Allan, who dominated with local knowledge, followed extremely closely by Spud (a.k.a. Iain Carey), bringing third and fourth place to Stan Ricketts and Matt Simpson respectively.

As free beer flowed courtesy of E-P-Designs at the prize giving, more than forty prizes were handed out, ranging from world class river trips with Water by Nature and Kayak the Zambezi, gift vouchers by Tiso and useful equipment from Teva, PeakUK, Lomo Watersport, Carlisle Canoes, Kayak Session and Palm Equipment.

The after party saw the Castle Menzies rocking till the wee hours as everyone got into the spirit of Scottish dancing and the music of the Jimi McRae Band.

Next year should see more people, more activities and hopefully more water, so lets see everyone there for another good weekend of Scottish kayak banter at the Liquid Life Festival.

2004 Festival Thanks

What a fantastic weekend and thanks to everyone who entered, sponsored, organised, visited and helped with the festival.

The racing was fiercely competitive, meaning some pretty tough contests throughout, but at the same time a really friendly atmosphere existed between the paddlers.

All the sponsors were fantastic and we thank each and every one of you for your generosity whether your involvement was financial, logistical or prize donations.

For a full event report by Stan Ricketts (men’s 3rd place) click here.

Thanks again to everyone and keep your eyes and ears open for information coming about the 2005 Liquid Life Festival.

See you next year!!