2023 Whitewater Paddling Highlights - Esquif Prospecteur 16, Echo, Pocket Canyon & L'Edge Super Lite

Yo what a crazy year! I think I've truly found my love and passion. Bill Mason once said canoeing can become a severe addiction and I would have to say I agree... A trend I've noticed throughout all my posts lately is my babbling on about gratitude but boy am I ever serious when I tell you I don't know how to put it into words. Just a couple years ago I remember being miserable because I didn't know many people to get out paddling with. Here we are about to embark into 2024 and I am now having trouble keeping up with all the incredible people I've met. The paddle community is so full of wonderful people, it feels like I walked away with a new friend after every time I was out on the water. If you're one of those people I was fortunate enough to be out with, thank you for the fire you've helped keep alive. So many of you have supported me emotionally, physically and even spiritually at times.
Aside from the amazing people I've met, which gets me all teary thinkin about it. Getting to develop my skills in all kinds of different mediums has been incredible. From paddling long tandem canoes over chutes to tiny solo bath tubs off of a waterfall, it feels like I've experienced a lot in such a short period. Out of all the sports I've participated in throughout my life, this is the one I hope to see myself doing when I'm in my sixties and beyond. Maybe one day I'll be able to paddle and help others like the legendary Paul Mason does these days. Being on the water with him and other incredible enthusiasts is something I will never forget. I still remind myself of Paul's teachings, "If you're scared of the rapids, paddle fast!". Thank you all for your encouragement and love this year. An especially big shoutout to Derik Lawlis(paddle.ca) who has been such an incredible friend, mentor, and bossman extraordinaire . Cheers to 2024 everyone!
Also shoutout to Julian Myers for letting me play around with an unreleased version of his latest track, his tunes always get me hyped up!

[@DerekSOutdoors]

Nice Whitewater paddling buddy!!! Really getting good use out of that dry suit 👍👍👍👍

[@Evan_Le5]

Thanks Derek! You can say that again😂

[@canoepoler]

Thanks for your year in review! See you next year!

[@Suluk46]

Nicely done buddy. Enjoy the new year, and I'll see ya on the water!

[@Evan_Le5]

Cheers Steve, Happy new year! We’ll be back on the Mad in no time

[@canajian]

Mornin ! And cheers to a good 2024! 🥃

[@Evan_Le5]

Cheers to you my friend thank you for the support this year!

[@babblingbrookesmith]

Awesome recap for an incredible year Evan!! 👏 🎊 happy new year 🥳

[@Evan_Le5]

Cheers Brooke thanks for making it such a great year!!🤩

[@peterle5]

What a wild ride! Thanks for sharing this - I’m so grateful to have shared some adventures with you. Happiest 2024, I LOVE YOU.

[@Evan_Le5]

I love you too and I’m so excited for our 2024 adventures together

[@yourinappropriateuncle1654]

Nice work brutha, Happy New Year!

[@Evan_Le5]

Happy new year to you too!🙌

[@jessekane4994]

So awesome man

[@Evan_Le5]

Just saw this, thanks brother🙌

[@prayfornathannatureshow]

Cheers, a well done 2023. I've been enjoying your videos. Couldn't help but notice you are selling your pocket canyon. Wondering what your boat strategy is after watching your boats and videos progress this year. Any particular reason you are parting ways with the canyon? Are you planning to take the echo on solo wilderness tripping adventures, and the prospecteur for when with the lady? And are you ever concerned with hitting the l'edge super lite off a rock or does it seem durable enough to you?

[@Evan_Le5]

Hey Nathan thanks a lot for watching! I don’t have much strategy at the moment just too many canoes in the garage. The pocket canyon is a lightly used boat from paddle.ca that we used to get some content. It was a ton of fun to play around with this year and I’m a bit happy no one has grabbed it so I might get one more run on it haha. I’m considering selling my echo even though I love it as I could use the extra $ for a big upcoming trip! I hope that helps for context. Sending you all the best for 2024!

[@prayfornathannatureshow]

@@Evan_Le5 It will have to suffice, I've never heard of a gent swabbing canoes like that but it makes sense. That is an interesting strategy that I haven't thought of. I like it!