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THE WICKED WOLF IS BACK – MORE WICKED THAN BEFORE!!

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

The Wicked Wolf Triathlon – Saturday 23 July 2011 @ Lochindorb & Carr-Bridge, in the Cairngorms National Park.

Last year’s inaugural Wicked Wolf Triathlon raised over £4,000 for Cancer Research UK and it’s hoped that this year’s event will match that success, with entries opening for the challenge on Tuesday 1 March. The 2011 Wicked Wolf will take place on Saturday 23 July – the date was announced last night (Friday 25 February) at a special event at the Bridge House in Carr-Bridge, where Wicked Wolf organisers, Gemma Powell and Lisa Campbell handed over a cheque for a total of £4,254.00 to Dorothy Rodger, Area Volunteer Manager with Cancer Research UK. Gemma was inspired to set up the Wicked Wolf after losing her Dad, Jimmy Powell of Borve, Isle of Lewis, to pancreatic cancer in December 2009. Presenting Dorothy with the much needed funds, Gemma said: “The Wicked Wolf wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the community and our generous funders and of course those who took part, which allowed us to raise a fantastic amount of money for Cancer Research UK. The feedback from participants was extremely positive so we hope the Wicked Wolf is now a firm fixture on the adventure sports calendar and we look forward to fundraising year after year for Cancer Research UK to support the critically important work that they do.” Dorothy Rodger said: “This event was a fantastic example of local people coming together to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. We rely entirely on voluntary donations to fund the work and I would like to thank Gemma and Lisa and all those who supported the event for their continued support in 2011.” The Wicked Wolf Triathlon on Saturday 23 July begins with a 5km kayak (2km longer than last year) from the beach at Lochindorb, around the 13th century ruined castle – lair of the notorious Wolf of Badenoch. From there it’s a spectacularly scenic 30km mountain bike ride over the Lochindorb moor towards Carr-bridge – taking in amazing views of the Cairngorms – then a 10km run around the pretty woodlands of Carr-Bridge with a finale finish in the heart of the village. People can enter either as a team of three – doing one section each – or they can sign up as a solo entry. Places are limited to 55 entries so anyone who fancies taking part in the 2011 Wicked Wolf is encouraged to sign up quickly. Entrants are encouraged to aim to raise a minimum of £75.00 per solo entry or £150.00 per team of three with all funds raised by the Wicked Wolf going directly to Cancer Research UK with the event costs being met by entry fees and the generous support of a variety of funders. Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to research on the causes, prevention and treatment of cancer and is the largest single funder of cancer research in the UK. The charity supports research into all aspects of the disease through the work of more than 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK. Survival rates for cancer have doubled in the last 40 years. But one-in-three people will still get cancer at some point during their lifetime. Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking work, funded entirely by the public, will help ensure that millions more people will survive.

Entries open online on Tuesday 1 March at www.entrycentral.com Solo entries are £27.50 per person and team entries are £47.50 + £2.50 Triathlon Scotland Levy where applicable. For more information visit the Wicked Wolf website page www.wickedwolftriathlon.co.uk or visit the Wicked Wolf Triathlon event page on Facebook www.facebook.com or email wickedwolf@live.co.uk

For area information see www.visitcairngorms.com

A little inspiration for Friday afternoon….

Friday, May 13th, 2011

 

Have a look at this video if you need a little help imagining the beauty of and fun to be had in the Cairngorms National Park or just if you need a wee reminder!

Just click on the Cairngorms National Park link below:

Cairngorms National Park Video

For more information visit the Cairngorms National Park website

The Big Splash, Aviemore 21st-22nd August 2009

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
The Big Splash, Aviemore

The Big Splash, Aviemore

The big splash is a mad extreme sports event for people with a screw loose! The main event consists of a large ramp on the side of the river Spey from which you can launch off in a variety of contraptions from wheelie bins and shopping trolleys to bikes skis and snowboards.

See videos of the madness at the Big Splash Channel  www.bigsplashaviemore.co.uk

This is the fourth year of the big splash which started in 2005 and having a rest in 2008 and back by popular demand this is Aviemore’s true community event bringing together all the outdoor disciplines in and around Aviemore such as mtn. biking, skiing, snowboarding, skate boarding, kayaking and climbing.

There are prizes for the best contraption, the stupidest jump and there are prizes for quality jumps on skis, boards, bikes etc. The judges are all top quality extreme riders themselves and will not be bribed under any circumstances unless you buy them a pint!

We are also running the extreme dream deep water soloing climbing competition again which consists of a climbing wall hanging above the river. Competitors have to swim from the river bank to the wall racing a fellow climber and the first to the bell at the top of the wall wins, however the bell is just out of reach of the last holds so in true big splash fashion they have to jump for it and end up in the drink!

Competitions usually finish around five and everyone chills out for an hour until the bands and a very messy night do!! We usually have prize giving about 8 and after that it gets a bit blurry but we usually wrap it up about 11.

How did it come about?

Aviemore is Scotland’s true extreme adventure playground and is full of like minded idiots and crazy people apart from a few crusty beurocrats who want to whinge about anybody doing anything more extreme than farting!! It was a few of the like minded idiots that came up with the idea of building a ramp at the side of the river and launching themselves off on bikes, skis etc, and thought we might as well make an event out of it and thus the big splash was born.

Little did we know that during the planning of the big splash 05 we were informed that the crazy fools in the 70’s had done exactly what we were planning to do (see the big splash you tube video of 1974).

www.bigsplashaviemore.co.uk  Make sure your there at Dalfaber Road on Friday night from 6 and all day Saturday from 12. Opposite the Old Bridge Inn where you can get food and drink all day!

Fresh Water loch wins beach award – Loch Morlich

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Loch Morlich

Loch Morlich

A fresh water loch has become the first to be recognised as having one of the best beaches in the country.

Loch Morlich, at the foot of the Cairngorms, was one of 60 beaches to be awarded the Seaside Award by the Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) campaign.

It is the first time a fresh water loch has received the accolade.

Seven beaches – one more than last year – and a marina were also awarded the internationally-recognised Blue Flag for their cleanliness.

The Seaside Award programme has been recognising Scotland’s beaches for their litter management, information provision, risk assessment and safety procedures, and water quality for the past 17 years.

John Summers, chief executive of KSB, said: “The beach awards are becoming increasingly difficult to hold on to, particularly following two such wet summers which have caused water quality problems for a number of beaches.

“So I am particularly delighted to see more beaches joining the award schemes, especially Loch Morlich which is not only our first fresh water Seaside Award winner, it will also be the highest award beach in the country at 300m above sea level.

“I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that goes in to achieving these awards by local authorities and communities and urge people, particularly in this economic climate, to get out this summer to visit – because we really do have fantastic beaches to be proud of.”

‘International standards’

Tourism Minister Jim Mather said the country’s beaches and coastline made an “enormous contribution” to the distinctive Scottish experience for visitors and residents alike.

“It is encouraging to see more and more of our beaches surpassing international standards for quality and cleanliness and as more and more visitors from home and abroad take part in our Homecoming celebrations, there is no better time to enjoy Scotland’s seaside for themselves,” he added.

“From our wonderful scenery to our compelling history and with a diverse range of over 300 events taking place throughout the year, there will be something for everyone during Homecoming 2009.”

White Water Rafting, Canoeing, Kayaking, Canyoning and Gorge Walking in Aviemore and the Cairngorms

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

findhornactiveoutdoorpursuits

The Aviemore and Cairngorms area is a fantastic place to take part in White Water Rafting, Canyoning, Canoeing, Kayaking and Gorge Walking as well as many other watersports.  When the snow melts from the Cairngorm mountains in the spring, White Water rafting around Aviemore and the Cairngorms is very popular.  There are many companies offering this activity in Aviemore – see here  You can white water raft on sections of the River Spey as well as the River Findhorn which some say is one of the best for rafting in Scotland.  This is a popular activity for families as well as groups of stags and hens and friends.   Duckies which are smaller rafts are sometimes used when the river is lower. 

Canyoning and Gorge Walking in the Aviemore and Cairngorms area is also great fun where you can abseil through water falls and jump into natural pools where the water flows through the rock. 

There are also many great Lochs in the Aviemore and Cairngorms area where you can learn to canoe or kayak as well as windsurf and sail.  These are great activities all the family can enjoy and there are lots of highly qualified instructors available in the Aviemore and Cairngorms area.  Loch Morlich at Glenmore near Aviemore and Loch Insh near Kincraig are two great watersports centres in the Aviemore and Cairngorms area.  You can hire canoes, windsurfs and small sailing boats and also receive instruction.