Jay Kincaid, Professional Kayaker

Disappointment on the Ottawa

Well the first World Cup event on the Ottawa is finally over. The river dropped down to a perfect flow and we couldn't have asked for a better wave.

I trained my butt off everyday since the U.S Team Trials and was very confident and happy about the way that I was paddling, as well as feeling a bit burnt out and ready for a change of scenery. I kind of had some mixed emotions as I don't like to train at the same feature for such a long period of time, but had to because the U.S. Team Trials and World Cup were back to back.

I didn't paddle very well the first day for the prelims but was still able to make the cut to finals. Sunday morning, finals morning, I actually went out to the wave by myself and paddled for almost two hours, which is normally not something that I do before competing. I came up with a a whole new plan for my ride and was hitting it more often then not in practice.

So, finals stated and I was again competing. My first ride started off well, but I flushed for the first time all morning on my left Air Screw. My second ride started off really well. I stuck a perfect entry Helix, was getting huge air on all of my moves, and then landed weird on my left edge and carved off the wave with 15 seconds left. My last 15 seconds was reserved for my left Air Screw and my right Pan Am.

I missed the cut to the top 5 by 10 points, which is half of the score of an Air Screw. In the end I ended up 9th which was very disappointing. I trained very hard for that event and finishing 9th place is very hard for me to swallow. Like usual after a disappointing lose I have physically felt ill all day long. Not fun but something that has happened to me a few time before.

Now it is all about the comeback for me. With two events left I really need to finish well to make up for the slip up yesterday. I took today off resting and hanging out with Lisa and her Mom in Gananoque, which is only about 45 minutes from the 2nd event site in Watertown.

So, starting tomorrow it is back to training.

On The Road Again

Two and a half weeks ago I flew back to Reno from the Outdoor Retail Show packed up my stuff for two months, grabbed the dogs and started the cross country drive. As long as the drive was it actually went very well. I arrived on the Ottawa River three days later and have been here training, competing, fishing, and running my dogs ever since.

Last Wednesday was our U.S. team Trails. I was able to make the Team again, now for the 6th year. It was a tough flow at a wave called Garborator. The wave came up and the wave was very flushy. Combine that with the fact that I hadn't really been on a wave in six months made for a stressful event for me. Relying more on my ability to compete then my current skill on a wave I was able to pull it out and make the team.

Since then I have been practicing as much as my body will allow as the first World Cup event is on that same wave this weekend. I have been making lots of progress and hope to be again paddling well come competition day.

So, that's it for now. I will update you again after the weekend.

Back to Work

Since my last update I have been kayaking, kayaking, and more kayaking.

Yesterday I met with about 30 members from every avenue of media down at the white water park and gave them a demonstration. That seemed to go well as everyone seemed very interested and there were smiles, clapping, and thumbs up from everyone.

The white water park has been really good but is finally starting to get low, as it has been dropping around 50 cfs a day for the last 10 days. So, this means that I am going to be moving my paddling sessions upstream to a little secret hole that I have, if it is still there after the floods this winter. My favorite hole upstream washed out two years ago, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Other then that I have been wrestling a couple of days a week Those who have known me for a long time know that I wrestled for years growing up, so I am enjoying doing a bit of that in my spare time.

I also finally finished the landscaping in the front and back yard. And I must say that if I was competing with my neighbors in the nice lawn competition, I would be dominating.

Rafting the Salmon

I got back last night from an eight day over night trip on the Main Salmon in Idaho. I rowed a boat again this year but brought along my kayak on the back which allowed me at one point or another to paddle on four of the days.

Other then that it was lots of fishing, and generally hanging out relaxing. I think that I might have gained some extra belly flab but it just gave me something to rest my beer on, and it will be gone soon enough...

As soon as we arrived home yesterday I quickly unpacked the truck and headed down town for a quick kayak session. This morning, like usual I was up running and will be heading to the river later in the day. If I am doing then math right our US Team trials are just over six weeks away, so it is time to ramp back up to full speed. For me that means longer play sessions and more running. I like to keep my competition weight at around 190 lbs or lower if possible, and I am at about 194 right now. There are two ways that I can do that. One, just paddle and eat way less. Two, paddle and run while eating the same. I prefer the second option as I have actually come to really enjoy a daily run, and food isn't bad either. Why do I believe 190 or lower to be the magic number? Because I feel much faster and more explosive at that weight, as well as gaining the ability to paddle harder for a longer period of time. I actually came home from the Colorado trip at 188 pounds which is the lightest that I have been since my sophomore year of high school, and I believe that it has show in my ability to be a lot faster in the races this year. I still am not where I want to be with the races or with the freestyle but I am always trying to reach that unattainable place of satisfaction.

So, from now until the World Cup is over this fall I am in full training and competing mode, and loving it.

My Life with Jackson Kayak

Before coming to Jackson Kayak I had worked for another kayak manufacturer for the better part of ten years. A lot of things had changed during that time and in the end the only thing that kept me there was the friends that I had made along the way. The truth was, and is, that those friends will be part of my life regardless of who I work for, but that didn’t make telling them that I was leaving any easier. When I finally called Robin Culver with the news it actually took me about five phone calls that day before I could get it out of my mouth. She, like all of my friends with Dagger was very gracious and supportive upon hearing the news, as I knew that they would be.

At that point in my kayaking career the move to Jackson Kayak was really a no-brainer for me. EJ, the Jackson family, and myself had been friends for years. I loved to paddle with Eric, and just as much loved to compete against him. For us the two have always gone hand in hand. Everyday that we are on the water together it is “game on” as I believe that for both of us that kayaking with out competition would somehow be very different. I trusted and believed very much in Eric’s fresh ideas and philosophies regarding kayak design, the future of our sport, and business in the paddle sports industry in general. So, when the time was right for me to come aboard, I did so jumping with both feet despite what anybody else thought that I should do.

The truth is that I have never worked for a more professional and friendly group of people in my life as I do now with Jackson Kayak, and that is saying something as I have been doing this a long time. We have what I believe to be the best product in the world, and even more importantly at the best value. Jackson kayak is a 1 percent for the planet company and is surrounded by people who are more then willing to give what they have so that others might have the opportunity to live better lives. It makes me very proud to be part of a company with great people, great product, and great values.

Team Jackson Kayak, meaning the company as a whole, as well as the athletes making up what is traditionally thought of as a team is something awesome to be part of. It is the first time in all my years of kayaking that I am surrounded by a group of people who genuinely want everyone to do well.

Stephen Wright will come down to the water to help me with my competition ride knowing full well that his help might result in him being outscored, and that is inspiring to me. The amazing thing is that everyone on the team is like that, like a true team should be.
A lot of people; acquaintances, old team members, media, and friends, questioned me when I made the move to Jackson Kayak.

Eight months later I don’t hear those questions anymore. I am now in what I believe to be an enviable situation, and I look at the company that I work for and what we are doing and can only smile.

Teva & fast travel

I am back out west from Colorado. The Teva Mountain Games went well but I am glad that it is over. I raced really well in the head to head race finishing in second in the time trial, less then 5/100's behind EJ. I also finished second in the actual race, behind EJ, and in front of Tao and Brad Ludden in the final heat. Much to my surprise one of the gate judges said that I missed a mandatory gate, and that resulted in a disqualification, putting E in fourth place. I am not really sure of how exactly that mistake happened but never the less it was disappointing to be disqualified after being so fast all day.

The freestyle event in Vail has been my long time nemesis. I have finished in the top three there five out of the six time that I have competed and have never won. This year I finished third which was again disappointing, but the good news is that we once again had a Jackson Kayak sweep. Actually 5 of the 6 medals from the men's and women's classes went to Jackson Kayaks.

I like to call that DOMINATION!

EJ won and Stephen was seond, both having unbelievable rides.

So, I drove back to Reno after the event as fast as I could trying for an unofficial World Record. The way I see it is that if I wasn't speeding I was wasting time. I made it from Vail to Reno in 12 hours and 15 minutes. You might want to Map Quest that one to get full appreciation.

I spent one day in Reno, surfed at the play park,and then hit the road for the Northern California Coast, and the home of Kokatat. I will be here until Thursday morning and then it is back to Reno for a few days.

I am looking forward to those days at home.

No More 3rd Place

I have been in Colorado for over two weeks now and it has been a blast. I have participated in dealer sales events, taught clinics, paddled some creeks, talked at kayak clubs, and generally had a great time.

Yesterday was a really big event called the Paddler magazine Invitational.

It was held in Steamboat Springs and was a very unique event. There was a race and a freestyle event with the goal of finding out who the best all around kayaker is. Anybody who knows me knows that I wouldn't miss any opportunity to compete in this format. In the morning we had an extreme race on Fish Creek. I had what I thought to be a great run but ended up in third place. Then in the afternoon we had the freestyle competition which I was very confident about. In the end I won the rodeo and most importantly won the Over All Competition, proving that at the least on that day I was the best.

After many disappointing third place finished this year it felt really good to win a big event such as this.

Up next is the Teva Mountain Games. I will update you on that when it is finished.

Reno River Festival 2006

The third annual Reno River Festival was once again a great success. We couldn't have asked for better weather and the local community as well as the kayaking community was there in full force. I am not sure of the numbers but I am sure that the foot traffic was well into the thousands.

This year we had high water and the freestyle competition was moved upstream to number two. It seemed to work well as a competition feature, and was certainly better then a lot of holes that I have competed in. I paddled well all day, never having a ride below 112 points, but in the end finished third. EJ and Steven Wright paddled awesome, as usual, and were able to finish first and second. Yet another Jackson Kayak sweep! The women also paddled really well and were very competitive. Tanya Faux finished first, Nikki Kelly was second, and Emily Jackson finished in a strong third.

Today was the Boater Cross and it was really fun to be part of and to watch.

Like most Boater Cross events it was full on racing and constant entertainment. EJ put his speed to good use and won, Bryan Kirk was second, and once again I was third.

I seem to have the third place curse going so far this year. At the Brush Creek Extreme Race I finished third; At the American River Fest I finished third; At the Reno River Fest freestyle I finished third: At the Boater Cross Time trial I fished third; and at the Boater Cross final I fished third. It is kind of frustrating but I know that I am paddling well, so I expect the curse to be gone by the next time I compete.

Joe Bob's & Area 51

2 weekends ago Steven Wright and I headed up to Oregon for a couple of dealer visits with Alder Creek, and some great paddling. Saturday we visited the Portland store and then later headed up to Joe Bob's which was epic. It was the best feature that I have ever seen at Bob's and we had a great time.

Sunday morning we visited the Alder creek store in Bend, helped out with a big boat demo, and then went kayaking at a hole called Area 51. I could tell you how good it was, but its called Area 51 for a reason.

We drove back to Reno late Sunday night and have been paddling here ever since. (Except for when Lisa and I have been doing yard work.) The river is high and it is hard to say for sure where the competition will be, but it will be great regardless.

Last Saturday we had a Jackson kayak Fun Tour event here in Reno. We met at the white water park at 1:00 with most of the Team, demo boats, high water, warm weather, and generally had a great time.

3rd at the American River Festival

I left for the American River Festival last Thursdays morning. Lisa and I arrived at around noon, met up with the Jackson's and headed up the river to the feature that we thought the freestyle competition would be. It was a hole just upstream of a rapid called Miya, and it was really good. We played there for a couple of hours timing rides and generally getting ready for the competition.

The next morning we got the word that the location for the event had been changed, so we headed just down river to that small hole and again practiced for the event. This hole was really small but we stayed positive about it, and everyone seemed to be doing a lot with what we had.

That night we went to the party at the River Store were we got the new update about the locations for the competition. It was to now be a freestyle through the rapid at Trouble Maker Rapid. So, the morning of the event we were all out practicing when we found a small breaking wave with eddy access just above the rapid. As a group we decided that this was the best option, so the event was now for sure going to be there.

In prelims I had good rides and ended up going to finals in first place. Steven Wright was in second and EJ was in third. Finals were really close, but Steven was able to pull of a great McNasty on the small wave and won. EJ had a ride much like mine only he was able to get a little more pop on his moves, so he finished second, and for the second weekend in a row I finished third.

I was really upset to not have won, but I know that I am paddling well and am looking forward to the next event.

I am back in Reno now and will be until Friday when Steven and I drive to Portland and then Bend to do a couple of clinics.

Kaweah & Brush Creek Exreme Race

I left last Wednesday for the East fork of the Kaweah, in the Southern Sierra. Thursday morning we put on the river at the highest flow that most of had done it. We had an excellent group of people and it turned out to be a great day on one of my favorite day runs in the world. We had to walk the best water fall rapid on the river because the river was simply to high, but other then that everything was as run able, or not run able, as usual.

That night I drove the three hours south to Kernville. The next morning I met up with the Jackson's and we did a few practice runs on Brush creek, the location of the extreme race the next day. The water was a lot higher then I had ever seen on that creek and it only made it that much better.

Saturday was the Brush Creek Extreme Race, and with lots of water and lots of competitors it was sure to be a great race. It seemed as if everyone was there. There were Olympians, World Champions, Extreme racing Champions, expedition kayakers, and everyone in between. Eric Jackson came out hard and won the race. Dave Garinger finished second, and I finished third. I always compete to win, and that is always the goal, but I didn't feel bad about finishing third. I have high expectations for the races that I am going to be in this year.

Saturday night I went out on the Slalom course and did a work out in the new Jackson Kayak Ricochet. I had Eric on the bank giving me instruction, and that was awesome. It was the first time that I had been in one of the new slalom boats and it is definitely something that I am going to do more of.

Sunday Morning I met my group of people who had signed up for my play boating clinic. We headed up the river to a small wave and I spent the next couple of hours helping everyone to learn and refine their play boating skills. I think that everyone had a great time and I know that it was fun for me to see everyone learning.

When I left Kernville to drive home it was 75 degrees. Four hours latter it was 25 degrees and snowing like crazy. Last night it snowed 3 inches here in Reno, but seems to be melting off pretty quick. I am hoping that it gets warm fast because I am meeting Jason Craig in two hours at the white water park. I can't tell you how ready for summer I am!

The American River Festival is this next weekend, so I will heading back over the mountain in a couple of days.

Wine, dogs & paddling

Last Saturday Lisa and I went to Napa and we did the usual wine tour, which was a first for me. It is important to know that my attention span is fairly short and I hardly ever drink, so maybe a whole day spent tasting wine isn't the ideal situation for me. It was however a lot of fun for a few hours.

After that all of the wines started to taste the same to me, I was feeling a little bit tipsy, and I was pretty much ready for a nap. That night we headed toward the coast so that we could be at the beach early the next day.

Sunday we spent a couple of hours walking on the beach while the two dogs were absolutely flipping out. Porter, the older of the two, was running up and down the beach at top speed harassing anything living or dead that he felt necessary, and he must have found it necessary to harass everything. I wish that I had half of the athletic ability of that dog. Cash, our 4 month old pup wanted to find and eat every dead thing on the beach, and I mean everything. He also was obsessed with the seagulls and a couple of times chased them right out into the surf, with no fear at all of the water. Very cute!

We left the beach at around noon, and after a quick stop at In-And-Out-Burger we were back in Reno at around 4 o'clock, just in time for me to get a quick paddle in down town.

This week I have been paddling with Macy a bunch. He is all fired up to compete in the River Festival, and is paddling really well. He will hurt the feelings of many invited athletes.

At feature number 5 on the white water course there is a really good mystery move spot right now. I have never been very good at mystery moves, probably because I never practice them, so it is a bunch of fun to spend 15 or 20 minutes at the end of a session doing them. Macy is really good at them, and to be honest, it really motivates me to get it figured out as well.

This weekend we are having a bachelor party here in Reno for our best friend Taylor Robertson. It should be a wild couple of days. I am actually kind of scared, as I feel like I should have trained for such an occasion. My alcohol tolerance is at an all time low, and I am in bed by 9:30 at the latest anymore. It could be a ruff one!

Taxes & Tricks

It's tax season, and "the man" has got me down. I know that I am not the only person in the world with complicated taxes, but that doesn't make it any more enjoyable. I have dedicated this week to the idea of hammering it out and getting them done. I think that I would rather go kayaking in the snow with no top on then work on taxes. Skin to win, baby!

Other then that, I have been paddling a ton. I have some new moves dialed, like the reverse Mcnasty, both ways, and have relearned some older moves, like the Phonix Monkey, both ways. Oh, it is pretty!

My favorite local training partners, Macy Burnham and Jason Craig, have been out on the water with me most every day. It has been really cold, but once you are on the water it feels just fine. Macy is paddling like the Macy of old and it is really awesome to see. I am trying to talk him into competing at the River Festival, so fellow competitors beware. Macy's got skills!

And Jason Craig is paddling awesome as well. The other day I told him that we should work on some move combinations, like the Back Loop to Mcnasty. He stuck it on his second try, and to be honest, I thought my eyes might water up. It kind of hurt my feelings, and made me proud at the same time.

Kayaking has been really fun for me this winter, despite the cold. This is something that I haven't experienced in a few winters, and it is really refreshing.

Ice & No Gloves

The last week here in Reno has been really cold until today. A little cold weather didn't bring me down though. I have been feeling tuff on the river, kayaking everyday, but admittedly coming home after and whining like a baby.

I am yet to get any sympathy from Lisa, but I haven't given up hope.

A few days ago I paddled up at Floriston and when I left Reno it was 26 degrees. That means that it was probably in the low 20's up there, but because of my great gear it really didn't seam that bad. I was hoping to find a new play spot that the river had created during the flood, but there was no new play spot to be found. I did call my session off when I had inch long ice sickles hanging from the bill of my helmet. Enough was enough!

The next day I went over the mountain into Cali with Macy and we paddled the Chamberlain Falls section of the N. American. It was a lot warmer and we managed to find a bunch of really fun play spots. Kayaking was somehow a lot more fun that day.

Since then the weather has slowly been getting better and I even paddled today with out gloves. Actually, I started my session with gloves on but had to remove them because my 12 year old paddling partner for the day wasn't wearing gloves. I paddled with Jason Craig today and it was awesome. We played in a small hole in the south channel of the white water park and I think that we both had a really good time.

The forecast calls for the trend of warmer weather to continue, and as far as I am concerned that is a good thing.

So, until next time I will be on the river. The competition season isn't far away and I plan to be at my best ever this year.

Winter Kayaking

Since my last update everything had been great, until today. It was Spring time weather, warm sun shine, high water, a great play hole, and again, Spring time weather.

Last night the cold came and snow fell. The white water park is being worked on because of the New years floods. This means that they just yesterday diverted the water out of the North channel and around the new play hole at the bottom. It sounds like maybe this is going to take a couple of weeks to finish. I am hopeful that there will be a play spot in the slalom channel but I didn't go check it out today because of the cold.

So, tomorrow I will be back on the water regardless of temperature. I am also hopeful that the rapid up river at Floriston might of changed and given the gift of a new play spot. Last winter with the high water it took my favorite summer time hole away. Maybe, this time it will have left us a little present. I will be checking that out in the next couple of days, or sooner if the play park is no fun.

Other then that, I am enjoying being home. The dogs are for the most part a lot of fun, except at this particular moment they are driving me crazy. For sure my blood pressure is a lot higher then normal. Okay, ten deep breathes for me... Yes, I am feeling better now.

I have been in the gym a lot, but not doing the things that I used to do. I only lift weights a little bit now, and then it is all about the aerobics. Feel the burn!