Category: Archive

I first noticed Michael Picone in the photos I saw on Facebook: big hucks off waterfalls in far-off places. I was in the hunt for more voices for the “Global Outlook from a Local’s Perspective ” theme that was beginning to drive the movement on the Dirt Bag Paddlers facebook page… And Michael definitely fit the […]

THE MAD CZECH COMES TO AMERICA      Vladamir Vanha came to the U.S. to compete in the Southeastern Nationals Slalom Races in 1975. Due to the fact that he had not pre-registered he was not allowed to compete. His radical new boat design for slalom racing would not be seen in competition. It featured […]

Here in the United States, Christmas and New Year’s Day  is a time of year for spreading good cheer and wishing peace and prosperity to all. Although we always strive to be apolitical and non-religious, one can’t help but have the foundations of how they were raised come seeping through, especially in their writing. So […]

Chapter 1. My Lost Boys   “It’s about the chase,” Lowside told me and I knew he was right. It’s as though we were all trying to find our place in the world, seeking our purpose in our unusual home on “The Hill”. The adrenaline of living freely had consumed us, as though nothing else […]

Here at Dirt Bag Paddlers we have always had in mind bringing to you our fans the BEST original content, be it photos, footage, stories, WHATEVER, from all around the DBWorld. We truly live the motto “Global Feel With A Local’s Perspective,” in part because we realize that regular paddlers like us will never get […]

Crossbow off Evil Onslaught from Hell Road to Recovery By: Alex DePue Injuring yourself participating in any sport is not uncommon, and whitewater paddling of any form is no exception.  After sustaining a torn Achilles tendon from a kayaking accident (Story here), I spent the next week entirely on bed rest unable to walk without […]

WELCOME TO OUR MONDAY MORNING FEATURE. We hope to share with you our readers the songs of the River, that they may either start your work week off right or recharge your batteries after a long weekend with the custys… We heartily accept submissions click here    ENJOY! I Am the Rope by: Taz I am the […]

When I first came across the story of little Gage Forrest Laughton in our Facebook feed, I had to look twice. Seven years old (at the time)?Amazing! And this little guy isn’t just sending a stout, he’s busting out the old school paddle toss move like a boss! His Dad Lee was a fan on […]

N8 by Nathan Cline Mr Cline draws and paddles out of the mountains of western North Carolina. He is available for commissioned drawings. A link to his work on Facebook BUBBLE STREET by Paul Mason Mr Mason is a whitewater canoeist and artist who is available for commissioned pieces. His work is at  http://bubblestreet.ca/ DIRTBAGS by […]

PART 3: THE LOWER ROUGE Chapter 1- What is her name? and why. The lower Rouge River changes names depending on the company you raft with: at one it is named the Sisters referring to the waterfall section after the take out of most rafting companies, at another it is named the Gorge as the […]