Chasing Aphrodite 2016 (Corsica)

After many years of hosting the Kayak Session Easter Meeting, it was time for Corsica to have its first extreme kayak race. The river of choice was the pushy Fium Orbo, with its mighty Aphrodite rapid. The race stretch started above this crux move and finished 4 minutes downstream just before the double drop cataract. This section offers a great combination of technical moves, tight lines and flat pools which made it perfect for a challenging race, accessible to every class IV paddler.

Already at its first edition the event attracted many international paddlers, who came to the island to enjoy an early start of the kayaking season in a pleasant Mediterranean climate. Eric Deguil (FRA) managed to win the race in front of Daniel Klotzner (ITA) and Jonas Le Moran (FRA). Also the women were well represented and Marieke Vogt (GER) took the win followed by Bety Bracova (CZH) and Vera Knook (NED).

The leitmotiv behind this event is to bring kayaking closer to the locals and show its tourism potential. Furthermore it is necessary, in Corsica like all over the world, to connect people to the river environments. They are important ecosystems as well as tourist attraction and it is of paramount importance to put more attention on their preservation. In Corsica many rivers, like the Tavignano and the Taravo, are endangered by power plant and rubbish dump projects and only part of the population is aware of the damage which such projects could lead to.

The event was organized by the Austrian guys of the Source to Sea kayak school . This event would have never been possible without the help of Milou, owner of campsite Ernella.