A Treasury of Golden Classics

Download Video Formatted for iPod, but will play as a Quicktime video too. Be ready to wait, it's 100mb.
How to save to your computer or import into iTunes or your iPod: On a Mac hold down the control key and click on the link, then choose Download Linked File. On a PC right click on the link, then choose Save Target As.

The footage wasn't exactly classic when the video was put together, but seven years later it's getting closer to the point of being classic. Maybe not golden or even a treasury, but possibly classic.

This is a video I put together in the Fall of 2001 during the "flat day" at the Myrtle Beach contest. All the footage was shot by Stowe and Holly Blankenship "the Weenises," Joey Hall and myself and features all the contests that year plus a few other shots. We made about 100 copies on VHS thanks to Drew Hayes, who at the time was the US Mega distributor. His company was called Mega USA as you'll see the logo on the video.


I was thinking of how Drew almost single handedly brought composite surf boats to the East Coast scene. Seems like almost everyone bought a couple boats from Drew in those first couple years.

There had been a couple Stingrays by Spike and a few other odds and ends before that time but for the most part Mega USA infiltrated the market. Of course, Anthony Bell owned one of every odd surf kayak known to man, somewhere in his garage...

Anthony charging one of the dumpers at Tybee.

Not too long after, PS Composites made a huge wave with the Mako boats and things started changing a bit. Point is, it was a great revolution in the surf market and I think the 2000-2001 timeframe was metamorphic for kayak surfing around the East Coast. The video shows what kind of stuff was being done, or at least attempted at the time as well as how good or bad our conditions here can be.

Dave Stroud threw some really sick stuff that year at the OBX contest. He was a bit ahead of the ball as far as lip moves and dynamic surfing.

All in black, we called him Darth.

Felipe, maybe before he was called Felipe.

Going for the lip at Folly Beach in the Riot Boogie.

Of course, Jud Watkins threw down some of the sickest, controlled surf rides time after time. We miss you Jud! Come back! Jud's father, Bruce was a huge promoter of the sport and grew East coast surfing as much as anyone. These guys are true surfers at heart from Wrightsville Beach, NC.

Jud is the kind of guy who can come off the couch and just rip it up. Hopefully he gets back on the horse at some point.

How can you forget the Stowe Show? Stowe Blankenship, founder of boatertalk surf zone and one of the pioneers of East Coast surf kayaking.

Cutting back at the Tybee Island contest.

The Stingray was my first surf boat. This was a trip Joey and I took to Folly, trying to figure out lippers.


We even enjoyed the company of some Westies in '01. Tom Fredricks and Leo Lekas (sp?) came to the OBX event and placed well.


Joey got his first surf boat this year in addition to showing everyone how much of a jackass he was.

In this scene of the video he talked about his underwear. Classy.

Of course, you can't talk about East coast surf contest without Ross Fulcher. Has he even missed one in the past ten years?

Ross getting under the lip at Fort Fisher, NC.

I know there have been a lot more people that contributed to the growth of our sport over the years. Some have come and gone and some stayed. It has been a real pleasure playing with all you silly geese and learning to surf. Enjoy the video.

Download Video Formatted for iPod, but will play as a Quicktime video too. Be ready to wait, it's 100mb.
How to save to your computer or import into iTunes or your iPod: On a Mac hold down the control key and click on the link, then choose Download Linked File. On a PC right click on the link, then choose Save Target As.

See you in 2008 hopefully! I'm planning on being at OBX for the May contest and some in the fall too. In early Feb Joey and I should be putting up some pics, video and a trip report for a surf travel we're about to do. Wish us luck.

Spencer Cooke, Effort.tv

A McWalBucks Holiday, Yay!

To my two blog readers I preface the following with the knowledge that I have only been kayaking three times since November 3rd (Green Race day). They were three pretty okay days but nothing amazing. That being said, my time has been spent doing some things that I love and enjoy aside from kayaking. In this time of reflection I have not become a poet, though I thought a holiday poem was in line. I'm sorry in advance.

It was the night before Christmas and I had to run out
To Bed Bath and Beyond
(And maybe even Home Depot if we have enough time)
And the critters were stirring around and about
I saw a typical obese, American family sipping on mocha lattes at Starbucks
And a kid coming out of Target with a new copy of World of War Craft
Yes, this lucrative holiday was well on its way
To ending the year for corporate America with a big heehaw and a hooray!
When on the way home I crossed over the highway
And a full moon was rising on the horizon
"It's beautiful," I thought to myself...
How McDonalds and KFC brighten up the foreground
And what to my wondering eyes did appear
But a hodad in the drive-thru choking on a cigarette...
No, wait, it was a quarter pound...er
I've butchered this rhyme scheme in more ways than one
And this holiday was actually a good bit of fun
There was family and food and a couple of presents
And of course a happy meal for some big fat redneck
Whose name was actually Santa... and it was a super sized combo to be correct
Which brings me back to the spirit of Christmas
Which is naturally ham and presents, and profitability, and global warming, and I usually don't forward emails and my schwetty holiday balls and and and and and and....
... Nope, thise whole thing was just a gas pain. Excuse me.

Enjoy the rest of the year,

Spencer, Effort.tv

Night of the Living Donkey

Night of the Living Donkey video world premiere at Asheville Pizza Co. Thursday, January 31 2008. http://nightofthelivingdonkey.com to view the trailer.

Felipe can make almost anyone laugh. This one is a side splitter.

Kite skating looks sweet Philip. Way to take a fall.

On my kayak I have a black sticker with bold white lettering that says DRUG FREE LIFESTYLE. I'm proud of it. My friend Joey made it for me. My athlete bio clearly states my point of view on this matter. I have stated this out of respect for myself, my peers, those I influence, and those I look up to. Recently someone asked me why I chose to say that I'm drug free. They asked I why would promote Drug Free Lifestyle instead of proclaiming vegetarianism, pro-choice for abortion, a political party, punk rock or religion. Here's why...

Thanksgiving Addendum

Regarding my September 3rd post about annoying kayaker sayings, I have something to add:
#7 of annoying things that kayakers say is "Training." Don't get me wrong I think training is a legitimate thing in sports, and in kayaking it's more and more relevant as time goes on. The 2007 Green Race is a perfect example. Training certainly legitimizes and validates our sport as "professional." I would just like to go playboating or out creeking one time without someone referring to what we're doing as "training." Dammit, can't we just go kayaking?

While we're at it how about a #8? As quoted above "Professional" is the term. Everybody knows that too many people call themselves professional kayakers. Shouldn't professional be determined by the fact that this is what you do full time, for a living? Even more annoying is how so many self proclaimed pro paddlers suddenly become pro at whatever else it is they do while kayaking, like photography and video shooting. As far as I can tell the main thing that most "pro" kayakers are pro at is not working and not being nearly as pro as they claim.

Happy Thanksgiving. Make sure and give thanks for all your friends who don't take themselves too seriously when using any of these words in reference to kayaking. Try to relax this weekend. Try not to be too hard core. Head to the beach and enjoy just surfing a wave and going fast. You'll find that it's more like creek paddling than you know.

With a certain level of sincerity,

Spencer Cooke, Effort.tv

History repeats itself, so they say. If you have kids I guess that's even more inevitable. Here's my good Papa Cooke, and myself at almost one year old, circa 1976.


My Dad and his buddy tandem canoe racing on the Nanty in the Southeastern Nationals 1976. Looks like they got a little spun out at Wesser, oops! I'm guessing that's my Mom's finger across the top of the photo... nice 1970s effect, right?

Ween-O-ween 2007

There's something special about Butt-O-Ween. Something's in the air. Is it the green race? Nope. Is it the freshly permed hair donts of the numerous mullett-heads that populate the mountains of Northern Georgia and Eastern Tennessee? I don't think so. Is it that I have gone on a tangent and there's no easy way back to the original story? Nnnnyyyeeeeeeoossss. Or maybe. Well, this time of year is special to me because on the eve of evil, Halloween, my son was born. November 1 is his official birthday, which is Hallow's eve. Nov 1 is the day that marks the beginning and the end for some. For me it is certainly a day that my old life ended and my much better, new life began. This in all sincerity, I'm gonna have to go off the deep end now and say how proud I am of my son Mason Spencer Cooke who has grown, in one year, into a very filled out 11 year old boy named Michael 07. Not sure where the '07 came from but I'm thinking it's kind of like Number 2 in Austin Powers. Michael is my Number 07 man.

Micheal 07 has made us all proud this year or at least for the last week since I found his photo on the floor of the post office. Since then he has graced the dash of fame in my Nissan where he will remain for as long as his photo can bear the harmful UV rays that cruel star, the sun, shines down.

So, happy birthday-ween my son, Michael 07, wherever you are out there.



Goodlater,

Spencer Cooke, Effort.tv

Fall at the coast is one of my favorite times of year.

For the past ten years it is routine for me to make three or four trips to the coast for some surfing. By the end of summer I am usually pretty burnt out on the monotony of sales rep preseason orders and I've normally taken about a jillion runs down the Green River Narrows. All that gets old and I like to take a break and head for the beach. Surf kayaking brings a smile to my face and a feeling of joy to my heart.

Mid September I landed at Wrightsville Beach for the 2nd Annual Gordon Invitational with the fine company of one of my finest paddling and surfing amigos, Felipe. Gordon & Paula Rock and the ESKA once again did an excellent job organizing and running the event. We were not blessed with large surf but it was glassy and offshore most of the day with waist high waves rolling in and an occasional chest high on the good sets. Check out the video for a couple shots I was able to get from the beach and with the waterproof housing.
September Surfing Video
Thanks to Rosanne Fulcher, Joey Hall and Alison Latham for filming on the beach. I think I forgot to credit you guys on the video itself.

Felipe gave me a couple board surfing lessons that were invaluable and finally got me up and surfing down he line of a few waves. Surfing a board is such an awesome compliment to kayak surfing. I wouldn't think of quitting paddle surfing but boarding has made me appreciate waves so much more. I'm a board rider at heart with over 20 years skatebaording and 13 snowboarding. It was inevitable that I would end up on a board.

I came out with an almost clean sweep of this year's Gordon Invitational taking 1st in IC, 1st in K1 and 2nd in HP. Russ Buskirk took his first ever 1st place in HP. He surfed really well in his Reaction and definitely deserved the win. I was stoked to get another top 3 placment in the Charger.

Late September, Shari, Mason and I met our good friends Drew and Eileen Hayes for a week down on Hatteras Island.
Eileen, Drew, Drew's rod... and reel.

Drew kept trying to get Shari to sniff the very tip of his tongue. Reluctantly she took a whif.


Drew holds up the lighthouse and saves us all from being squashed.


I can't think of a better place to be than the OBX during the Fall. The sweet sea air feels so good in your lungs, the temperature is usually very moderate in the Fall, there are fish to be caught and waves to be ridden.


The surf was almost nonexistent all week (a big boo hoo for the Eastern Surf Boarding Championships that was being held that exact week) except for one day a passing weather system kicked up waist-chest high swell. Coupled with a light offshore breeze, this was some of the most excellent surf a wave rider could ask for.

Drew paddles out during one of the larger sets.


There was nothing real large or pushy, just clean, crisp rides and peeling shoulders.

The waves were coming in nonstop in perfectly spaced sets with long periods. Drew and I were a couple of happy campers, let me tell you.
Drew hauls tail down the line.

Me getting a taste of weightlessness.


One too many mosquitos came into the car and were ushered right on out of this life and to the next.

Of course Drew introduced my son to a number of criminal activities.

Drew Hayes is not known for sea kayaking.


Lastly, I want to wish all my friends who are competing in the world championships over in Spain good luck and good skill. The break there looks absolutely sick and I wish I was there. I plan on going to the next worlds for sure wherever that may be. After a four year hiatus I feel like I should give it another shot.

Watch the September Surfing Video

Later,

Spencer Cooke, Effort.tv

How can you not love Yonton?

"Who is that guy on the front row who looks like he just peed his pants and nobody knows but him?" - No doubt an insightful question and statement from the lyrical master, Garrett Bryant.

My all time favorite annoying sayings that kayakers have created, repeated and basically ruined.

Here we go...

1. "Fire it up!" or "He fired it up!" or "You gonna fire it up?" - This phrase was cool in little league baseball when Dad would shout it out. Kayakers have ruined it.

2. "Yeeeeaaaaahhhhh!" - You have to pronounce this one properly for it to be really effective but it is basically said way too much. It is actually really funny but only if it's said with a strongly sarcastic tone.

3. "It's all good" - This one is not just a kayaker saying but kayakers should not say it because they are already saying a bunch of awful stuff. A kayaker saying this just makes it twice as crappy. There are indeed good things out there but it's not "all good," sorry.

4. "Bro" - Now, can you really take anyone seriously who refers to everyone as Bro? This is also a word that is funny if being said sarcastically, unless the people exchanging it are biological brothers. Then it's just true, not funny.

5. "Give her" or "He gave her" or "I'm gonna give her" - This rates right up there with "Fire it up." Can we all not come together as a community and just say, "I ran that rapid" or "I'm gonna run that rapid"? I thought not.

Well, these are five things that annoy me. If I had a sixth it would be:
6. Kayakers naming "Top 10" things, like "Top ten ways to keep from getting a wedgie while kayaking"... no wait, that is pretty good. It would have to be something like "Top ten ways to run waterfalls" We must stop this crazy crackerness and just get on with the kayaking. I don't know if we can. Let's face it, kayakers are not stylish, cool or funny. They are a bunch of people who, and I quote Joey Hall, "in high school were that guy or girl who had the booger hanging out of their nostril or on their tooth, but nobody told them." Everyone just laughed about it and remembered it for the rest of their lives. It's funny that all those people still have boogers hanging out their nose, only they're sitting in a kayak on the water, and now they have nose plugs and a helmet on too. I love all those people.

Anyone using these words or phrases in 1-6 should be given a wedgie. If you are guilty of saying all these things you get a front/back wedgie, mandatory, and a pink belly.

In honor of my top ten bros out there givin' her and firing it up, here's a video from this summer. It's all good, yyyyyyeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

A profound statement by an equally profound person and incredible kayaker -

"...my talent can't be bottled up by some film or some form, it is
an un-reproducable sensation that in order to fully comprehend one
must watch in the live, actual, personal viewing state of living, or
watching."
- Cooper Lambla

Big falls at Secret Spot on the Nolichucky.

If you've been to Secret Spot on the Noli in TN you've probably noticed the Dam upstream and the absolutely sick waterfall/rapid on the river left bank. Since water has been so low this summer Caleb Coaplen and I headed up one day to see what it looks like at low flow. Here are all the photos. We thought it still looked completely crazy though runnable. I'm just not sure if it would be worth the risk of getting caught in that dam. I'm not running it and Caleb said he would not be willing to be present if someone did run it, meaning that he thought it was way too dangerous. The photos are taken at around 500 cfs on the gauge.

Mason rode with me too and said that he would not run this drop. Whew!


Caleb points at the first drop. This one is about 30ish feet.

Here's the landing off the first drop and this little drag strip runout.

After about 30 feet you would start dropping again, ideally driving left. You would not want to be up against the dam.

Here is the beginning of the second drop. This one has to be another 30-40 feet.

Here's a different view from the top where you can see the top of the second drop and the very bottom. The whole thing probably drops 80 feet including both drops.


If anyone ever runs this thing it would be pretty crazy. I think it's doable. I also think much harder looking drops have been run. My concern with this one would be safety. If you got stuck in the dam at the bottom it would be hard getting out or being rescued. I'm not encouraging anyone to run this thing. Just giving my interpretation.

Jade Tree is kayaking music.

Some of my favorite bands are or were on the label Jade Tree out of Wilmington, DE. Consequently, one of my best friends and paddling comrades, Drew Hayes, lives in Wilmington as well. Recently Drew and I met at the Potomac for a day of paddling. I did not paddle Drew or visa versa. Instead we paddled the river, and it needed it too... that silly misbehaving river. Below is a photo of Drew in his element, and at the same time out of his element. Drew is known as a surf kayaker so most people don't know that he can get out and run creeks and rivers with the best of them.

Drew runs the Spout on Great Falls, VA - Photo Andy Gates


Back to the original story. When Drew and I met at the Potomac he handed me an article out of a Wilmington paper about Jade Tree.

The significance of Jade Tree to the sport of kayaking is as follows. There have probably been more Jade Tree songs on kayaking videos than any single record label. I contacted Jade Tree six or seven years ago with an interest in one of their most monumental bands (in my opinion), Strike Anywhere. They were new at the time and into the idea of licensing their music for my videos, which were issues of LVM at the time. LVM Issue 1 features almost all of Strike Anywhere's debut album, "chorus of one." Consequently they were a huge hit with the paddling crowd and other video producers and ended up being featured on other videos on the market. Thanks to Jade Tree other bands have had great acceptance in the paddling world - bands such as Despistado, Micah P Hinson, Ester Drang, Denali, The Loved Ones, Paint It Black, Trial by Fire and more. Jade Tree even re-released three of Avail's albums last year, all of which have had songs on kayak films.

If you are a kayaker looking for cool sounds of all kinds check out Jade Tree and all their talented artists. I think that music incorporated into video is what ingrains memorable images of motion pictures into our minds. To me Jade Tree has done that more than ever and they deserve the support of paddlers.

Read the full article here:
Click to enlarge to a legible size.




Goodbye,

Spencer Cooke, Effort.tv

chris gragtmans photo

I'm excited about this. Check it out.

Chris and I went paddling yesterday at the Pigeon. I-40 has some awful, traffic jam causing construction going on at the junction of 240, 26 and 40. To add insult to injury they had to go and use profanity right in front of everyone.

This kind of aggression will not stand.