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April, 2023
Whitewater Begins...
A New Journey
After a few years of hardcore flatwater kayaking, lol, Christel is feeling the need for more excitement and adventure. With the help of her friend and music partner Brannon McKay, Christel has begun her new journey into whitewater kayaking!
The beginning of her journey isn't typical. Traditional whitewater kayaks didn't work for Christel - the splayed leg position just wasn't a possibility. It sucked. But there was a solution - c-1 style converted kayaks. These are whitewater kayaks that have been converted to allow the kayaker to sit in a kneeling position, like a canoeist. This position is extremely comfortable for Christel - but c-1 kayakers typically use one-bladed paddles. After experimenting with one-blade, and realizing the logical reasoning for it wasn't quite there for her, she ditched it and decided to go x-1 style - a hybrid form of whitewater kayaking involving the kneeling position but use of a two-bladed paddle. That's right. We're looking at the next Jon Lugbill.
With a single-blade, Christel was simply outa control. She didn't possess the more complex skills necessary to maneuver freely in the water. The reason using double-blades for c-1 in the Olympics was banned was because the double-bladed kayakers always fell behind in the races. Christel's not racing, and she's not in the Olympics. She's just trying to feel good and have fun bumbling down a sweet river. And with a double-bladed paddle, she's free and in control. That makes her happy. Why learn a complex unnecessary skill which could take months or years when there's no need for it? Christel is trying to have fun now. X-1 it is!
Christel's first whitewater boat is a Zet Chili - one of the fastest, if not the fastest whitewater boat on the market, used by most Olympian racers apparently. It's also known to be one of the most difficult to learn. Why is Christel doing this? It's simply because this specific boat is the only one she knew of which was available with factory installed c-1 outfitting. Christel had no idea how to convert a kayak herself, obviously. So, Zet Chili it is! Zoooooom!!!
Mountain Park Aquatic Center / Lilburn, Georgia / April 13, 2023
Toccoa River
Morganton, Georgia
August 11, 2023
Cartecay River
Ellijay, Georgia
March 22, 2024
Upper Hooch (Chattahoochee)
Demorest, Georgia
November 22, 2023
All Christel's Whitewater Kayaking (and rafting) Videos
All Christel's Whitewater Kayaking (and rafting) Videos
Christel, Brannon & Hunter's Cartecay River Kayaking Adventure
Part 2
September 5, 2025
Cartecay River / Ellijay, Georgia
Lower Cartecay Road to Blackberry Mountain Road
With Brannon McKay and Hunter Watkins
Music:
Skyscraper by Beat Mekanik
Christel & Brannon's Cartecay River Kayaking Adventure
Part 2
July 25, 2025
Cartecay River / Ellijay, Georgia
Lower Cartecay Road to Blackberry Mountain Road
With Brannon McKay!
Music:
Fat Stripper Chase by Frank Freeman
Christel's Ocmulgee River Surfing Adventure
Part 6
July 14, 2025
Ocmulgee River / Flovilla, Georgia
Wise Creek Canoe Launch
Surfing practice!
Music:
Some Bass & Drums by Amarent
Christel & Brannon's Ocoee River Rafting Adventure
July 11, 2025
Ocoee River / Turtletown, Tennessee
Middle Ocoee Put-in
With Brannon McKay in our Cataraft!
Music:
Kissing Glass by Soularflair
Christel & Brannon's Etowah River Kayaking Adventure
Part 2
December 13, 2024
Etowah River / Dahlonega, Georgia
Dawsonville Hwy to Castleberry Bridge
Water Level: 240 CFS
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Cattails by Triple5 Here
Christel's Ocmulgee River Surfing Adventure
Part 5
October 7, 2024
Ocmulgee River / Flovilla, Georgia
at Marjorie Kahn Popper Boating Access Area
Water Level: 2040 CFS
Surfing!
Music:
Paperclip Maximizer by Nul Tiel Records
Christel's Ocmulgee River Surfing Adventure
Part 4
September 23, 2024
Ocmulgee River / Flovilla, Georgia
at Wise Creek Canoe Launch
Water Level: 352 CFS
This is my first time back in the Zet in 6 months!
I had a knee injury, which is why I've only been doing flatwater kayaking and whitewater rafting over the last 6 months. I'm slowly getting back into whitewater kayaking.
I also went upstream a little bit so I could come back down.
I encountered the most beautiful algae!
Music:
Feel the Freedom by Dlay
Christel & Brannon's Montgomery Whitewater Part 3
Rafting Adventure
August 23, 2024
Montgomery Whitewater / Montgomery, Alabama
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay
in our Cataraft!
Music:
Glass Ceiling by Nul Tiel Records
Christel & Brannon's Nantahala River Rafting Adventure
June 26, 2024
Nantahala River / Wright Place & Bryson City, North Carolina
Womble's Wave @ Surfer's Rapid to Nantahala Outdoor Center
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Tango El Choclo Angel Villoldo - Arranged for Strings by Gregor Quendel
Christel, Brad, Brannon and Jake's Cartecay River Kayaking Adventure
March 22, 2024
Cartecay River / Ellijay, Georgia
Lower Cartecay Road to Blackberry Mountain Road
With Brad Keene, Brannon McKay and Jake McKay
1st Round: Brad, Brannon, Christel
2nd Round: Brad, Brannon, Christel, Jake
Music:
Chicken Dance by Nul Tiel Record
Christel & Brannon's Amicalola Creek Kayaking Adventure
Part 2
March 8, 2024
Amicalola Creek / Dawsonville, Georgia
Steel Bridge Road to Edge of the World Trail
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
DJEMBE by Eazy
Christel & Brannon's Ocmulgee River Kayaking Adventure
Part 3
February 29, 2024
Ocmulgee River / Flovilla, Georgia
Marjorie Kahn Popper Boating Access Area to Wise Creek Canoe Launch
Water level: 2700 CFS
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Perfect Moments by Atum
Christel & Brannon's Amicalola Creek Kayaking Adventure
Part 1
February 10, 2024
Amicalola Creek / Dawsonville, Georgia
Edge of the World Trail to Kelly Bridge (on the Etowah)
Water level: 0.8 ft
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Retro Arcade by Beat Mekanik
Christel & Brannon's Lazer Creek Kayaking Adventure
January 10, 2024
Lazer Creek / Talbotton, Georgia
Sunrise Road to the Flint River
Water level: 9.8 ft
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Clatter and Creak by Nul Tiel Records
Christel's Ocmulgee River
Surfing Adventure
Part 3
January 2, 2024
Ocmulgee River / Flovilla, Georgia
Wise Creek Canoe Launch
Water level: 560 CFS
Surfing practice!
And my first time surfing without using my hands/paddle, and just using my body to balance in the wave.
My record is about 30 seconds, starting in the video at 2:48.
Music:
Flashy by Beat Mekanik
Christel & Brannon's Ocmulgee River Kayaking Adventure
Part 2
December 29, 2023
Ocmulgee River / Flovilla, Georgia
Marjorie Kahn Popper Boating Access Area to Wise Creek Canoe Launch
Water level: 1360 CFS
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
The paddle we found ended up belonging to some stranded fishermen we paddled past.. who gave us no signal or indication that they were in trouble. We ate lunch near them and played in some rapids near them. They appeared to be casually fishing, and didn't try to get our attention. They called 911 for help, which explains the emergency vehicles near the end.
Music:
Beware of Dog by Eazy
Christel & Brannon's Chattahoochee River Kayaking Adventure
Part 4
(Metro Hooch)
December 20, 2023
Chattahoochee River / Sandy Springs & Atlanta, Georgia
Powers Island to Paces Mill Boat Ramp
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Look Before You Leap by Atum
Christel & Brannon's Cartecay River Kayaking Adventure
Part 2
December 13, 2023
Cartecay River / Ellijay, Georgia
Lower Cartecay Road to Blackberry Mountain Road
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
hub by Atum
Christel's Ocmulgee River
Surfing Adventures
Parts 1 and 2
Ocmulgee River / Flovilla, Georgia
Wise Creek Canoe Launch
Water level: 570 CFS (both times)
Part 1 on November 29
Part 2 on December 3
Surfing practice! Watch as I progress, lol.
Music:
Ladybird by Atum
Christel & Brannon's Chattahoochee River Kayaking Adventure
Part 3
(Upper Hooch)
November 22, 2023
Chattahoochee River / Demorest & Cleveland, Georgia
Mineral Springs Trail to Megan Drive
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Fifth Chakra by Eazy
Christel & Brannon's Ocoee River Adventure
September 28, 2023
Ocoee River / Turtletown, Tennessee
Middle Ocoee Put-in
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay in his kayak,
and me in my packraft.
Music:
Kill Em Softly by Eazy
Christel & Brannon's Montgomery Whitewater Kayaking Adventure
Part 2
September 21, 2023
Montgomery Whitewater / Montgomery, Alabama
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
First Rays by Nul Tiel Records
Christel & Brannon's Sweetwater Creek Kayaking Adventure
September 13, 2023
Sweetwater Creek / Lithia Springs, Georgia
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Water level: 3.35 ft
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Portamento by Nul Tiel Records
Montgomery Whitewater & RushSouth (Chattahoochee) Whitewater Park Adventures
This video combines two adventures with my new Alpacka Wolverine packraft at two different whitewater parks!
Christel & Brannon's Montgomery Whitewater Adventure
September 2, 2023
Montgomery Whitewater / Montgomery, Alabama
Christel, Brannon & Hunter's RushSouth Whitewater Park Adventure
September 3, 2023
RushSouth Whitewater Park / Chattahoochee River / Columbus, Georgia
Music:
Exchange by Metre
Christel's Ocmulgee River Kayaking Adventure
Part 7
August 23, 2023
Ocmulgee River / Flovilla, Georgia
Wise Creek Canoe Launch
Paddled upriver, floated back.
Music:
Low by Metre
Christel & Brannon's Toccoa River Kayaking Adventure
August 11, 2023
Toccoa River River / Morganton, Georgia
Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area to Old Dial Road
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Mad Trash Disco by Crowander
Christel & Brannon's Ocmulgee River Kayaking Adventure
Part 1
July 28, 2023
Ocmulgee River / Flovilla, Georgia
Wise Creek Canoe Launch
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Paddled upriver, floated back.
Music:
Atral Fishing by Atum
Christel & Brannon's Flint River Kayaking Adventure
July 12, 2023
Flint River / Thomaston, Georgia
Sprewell Bluff Park
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
Paddled upriver, floated back.
Music:
Gypsy Waltz by Frank Freeman
Christel's Etowah River Kayaking Adventure
Part 6
July 7, 2023
Etowah River / Kingston, Georgia
Neel's Landing
Paddled upriver, floated back.
This is the first time I've repeated a location, breaking my streak of only going to new places!
Music:
D2 by Maarten Schellekens
Christel & Brannon's Nantahala & Hiwassee Kayaking Adventures
June 30, 2023
Nantahala River / Topton, North Carolina
Patton's Run Overlook to Ferebee Memorial
July 1, 2023
Hiwassee River / Reliance, Tennessee
Powerhouse Section
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
I was trying out two different kayaks; the Pyranha Scorch and the JK Gnarvana. I ended up liking neither, lol.
Music:
Space Swing by Frank Freeman
Christel & Brannon's Chattahoochee River Kayaking Adventure
Part 1
(Metro Hooch)
June 7, 2023
Chattahoochee River / Sandy Springs & Atlanta, Georgia
Powers Island to Paces Mill Boat Ramp
With my friend and music partner, Brannon McKay.
I felt especially anxious on this adventure. Reflected in the music, lol. I had a negative experience on the Cartecay previously, which changed me psychologically. Things have turned around since then, however!
Music:
Full Up by Shaolin Dub
Christel, Brannon and Hunter's Cartecay River Kayaking Adventure
May 24, 2023
Cartecay River / Ellijay, Georgia
Lower Cartecay Road to Blackberry Mountain Road
With Brannon McKay and Hunter Watkins.
Music:
Street Food by Frank Freeman
Christel, Brannon, Hunter & Misti's Etowah River Kayaking Adventure
May 8, 2023
Etowah River / Dawsonville, Georgia
Castleberry Bridge to Hwy 136
With Brannon McKay, Hunter Watkins, and Misti Bradley Watkins
Music:
Old School by Frank Freeman
Christel & Brannon's Etowah River Kayaking Adventure
May 4, 2023
Etowah River / Ball Ground, Georgia
Yellow Creek Road to my mom's house, lol.
With my friend, Brannon McKay.
Music:
Living Voyage by Kevin MacLeod
Christel's Flint River Kayaking Adventure
Part 10
April 28, 2023
Flint River / Thomaston, Georgia
Sprewell Bluff Park
Introducing my new whitewater boat, the Zet Chili! This is my first time on a river with the Zet. I just paddled up and down a small section of river near the park area to get used to how this new different kind of boat feels.
Music:
High Res by Independent Music Licensing Collective
*New camera - GoPro!
Christel's Second Time in a
Whitewater Kayak!
April 24, 2023
Cherokee County Aquatic Center / Canton, Georgia
This is a compilation of clips recorded and compiled by Brannon McKay, of Christel's second experience in a whitewater kayak.
My problem this time came from my low blood pressure. I found out that I can't hang out motionless upside down for long and be whipped back up quickly, without extreme dizziness and nausea. So I kinda messed myself up at the start of this and ended up being unable to continue practicing anything involving flipping upside down. So I just paddled around. Still good! But I did not feel good!
Christel's First Time in a
Whitewater Kayak!
April 13, 2023
Mountain Park Aquatic Center / Lilburn, Georgia
This is a compilation of clips recorded and compiled by Brannon McKay, of Christel's first experience in a whitewater kayak.
Well, my skirt was too big and I had the wrong paddle...
but wet exits were a success!
One accidental wet exit was a little scary...
Rolling slowly improved throughout the session, but it's not all the way there yet.
Christel Vinot
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