Pulse is a heartpounding whitewater ride
April 7th, 2008, 4:42 am Hobbies And Interests
The trailer for “Pulse,” a new kayaking film screening on Wednesday, April 9, at Inland Surf Company (4100 W. State St., Boise), opens with Tao Berman - sitting in a kayak, paddle in hand - jumping out of a helicopter into torrential rapids in upstate Michigan.Heart-pounding, indeed.The latest film from “Twitch” series producer Eric Link, the award-winning “Pulse” compiles footage from television programs that followed Berman and his team of paddlers through Chile, Mexico and the United States.”Pulse” also includes footage from a video that the late David Norell of Boise was working on when he collapsed and died in 2004 during the Pole Pedal Paddle race.Norell, who appeared in one of Link’s “Twitch” videos, is shown in a clip running back-to-back waterfalls. The film also includes a memorial chapter dedicated to Norell.The TV footage originally aired internationally on Rush HD, the National Geographic Channel and other stations. It was captured by professional camera crews who brought in expensive luxuries like helmet cams and the aforementioned helicopter.The crews were able to catch the kayakers up close and personal as they searched for remote waterfalls and first descents.”There are a lot of really cool angles and burly stuff,” said Link.Oregon kayaker Todd Anderson, who will appear at Inland Surf Company for the movie screening, accompanied Berman to Chile to careen down 60- and 70-foot waterfalls on rivers around Villarrica, an active volcano.Anderson said running massive waterfalls is a natural progression for hard-core kayaker types, even if it seems borderline insane to the outsider.”You always have the drive for the harder run. Waterfalls become the next thing to do, then you start looking for harder, bigger waterfalls,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting and exhilarating.”Link said this brand of kayaking differs from other extreme sports.”It’s so remote. If you mess up, it’s a long way out,” he said. “You have to work with the river, and it’s always more powerful than you. It’s a good way to prove yourself and push through personal fears.” Chad Dryden: 672-6734
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