The Boss of Valsesia weekend somehow already feels like it’s been on the calendar for years, not like a first-year event.
The RallyCrew team kicked things off Friday night by hosting Los Leones and Nouria Newman for a home-cooked meal. There was lots of laughs, good food, plenty of paddling talk, and a proper roundtable discussion about what RallyCrew is becoming for the whitewater community as we polish new features and prepare for the app launch.
On Saturday morning, the racers hit the water on the Sesia River for the qualifying race. Seeing more than 100 brightly colored kayaks lined up beneath an ancient stone Italian bridge was a wild contrast. Water levels were low, but stoke was high, and Ben Campbell from Level Six Europe herded paddlers to the start line before sending them off in a mass start that tested the ability to find clean lines as well as stamina.
After the qualifiers, Jaws hosted a packraft race, which gave the kayakers a bit of a breather before the finalists got back on the water for the finals in the Sermenza Gorges. Full rankings and results of both events are available on the Boss of Valsesia Instagram.
The sun was out, spirits were high, and it was great to see paddlers and locals mixed together on the rocks, cheering the racers on. That kind of turnout and vibe says a lot about both the community and the event.
Boss Kayak nailed the afterparty at their shop with food, beer, live music, vendor tents, podiums, a DJ, and plenty of tired boaters who still had energy left to party.
Huge thanks to Boss Kayak, Monrosa Rafting, Jaws, Level Six Europe, and everyone who helped make the first Boss of Valsesia happen.
There’s no need to paddle solo.
Most of us have been there. You’ve got the time, the stoke, maybe even a window of good water, and you’re still scrolling through posts on other apps from three days ago trying to find a partner who matches the plan.
RallyCrew makes that part easier.
Use filters to find paddlers by location, skill level, and craft type. Message people, ask questions, and connect.
If you’ve ever wanted to paddle but didn’t have the crew, this is for you. If you’re traveling and want to find paddlers where you’re going, this is for you too.
See you in the eddy!
Geek out on whitewater with Nouria on RallyCrew.
Add Nouria as a friend, keep up with what she’s sharing, and join her in Boater Banter conversations with paddlers from around the world. RallyCrew is built for the whitewater that inspires you and the community that keeps you coming back.
Last weekend’s Stoke Float after Boss of Valsesia was a perfect reminder of what this community is all about.
Boss Kayak, Nouria Newman, the Los Leones crew, Jacques Gillardone and some of his students, Level Six, the team at Palm, Jaws, and so many other incredible paddlers all coming together on the water. Lots of laughs and plenty of eddy chats. It was the kind of weekend where “strangers” really start feeling like crew.
Huge thank you to everyone who showed up, floated, helped, cheered, organized, photographed, wrangled boats, and made the whole weekend what it was.
This is exactly what we’re excited to keep building through RallyCrew: more connection between paddlers, more support around the events that bring us together, and more reasons to keep crossing paths on rivers around the world.
Big thanks to Marco Montori for these incredible photos. If you were there and missed the link to the full set, shoot us a message.
See you in the eddy!
P.S. Stay tuned for our next stoke float happening in June ;)
A little Mother’s Day love for Deborah, RallyCrew’s founder, and Carmen, our Chief Storyteller. Two women who bring a whole lot of care, conviction and heart to RallyCrew.
RallyCrew has always felt like Deborah’s gift to the paddling community. She genuinely loves this sport, and she’s building something that brings paddlers together from all over the world with as much community input as possible. That passion comes from being a boater herself, from knowing what this community can be when paddlers have more ways to find each other, learn from each other and show up for each other.
Carmen helps carry that heart into the stories we share. She’s the one behind the blogs, newsletters and community updates that highlight what paddlers, businesses, events and organizations are doing across the paddling world. She’s a boater too, and that shows in the way she tells these stories with real care for the people, places and crews that make this sport what it is. Outside of RallyCrew, her work in river conservation with Balkan River Defence brings that same commitment back to the waterways this community depends on.
Both of them bring the same kind of love to RallyCrew that they bring to the people around them and their crews on the water: steady, thoughtful and fully invested.
We’re very lucky to have them shaping this project and this community.
AQ Outdoors Calgary, Wet Planet, and RallyCrew are teaming up for a two-prize whitewater course giveaway.
Entries are open May 5-12th.
Prize 1: AQ Outdoors Calgary
A spot in the Clearwater BC 5-Day Whitewater Kayaking Course for intermediate-advanced paddlers. Course runs August 17-21, 2026 on the Clearwater River in British Columbia.
Prize 2: Wet Planet
Your choice of a Novice or Intermediate Whitewater Kayak Instruction course in White Salmon, Washington, on any available date that works for you.
How to enter:
1. Join RallyCrew or log in
2. Search AQ Outdoors Calgary or Wet Planet
3. Follow the Business Listing for the prize you want
4. Comment on the giveaway post on that listing
You can enter for one prize or both.
For a bonus entry, follow the participating business on Instagram and share this post to your story.
Winners selected May 13th.
More course info is on RallyCrew.
Entries are open May 5-12.
AQ Outdoors Calgary, Wet Planet, and RallyCrew are teaming up for a two-prize whitewater course giveaway.
Prize 1: AQ Outdoors Calgary
A spot in the Clearwater BC 5-Day Whitewater Kayaking Course for intermediate-advanced paddlers. Course runs August 17-21, 2026 on the Clearwater River in British Columbia.
Prize 2: Wet Planet
Your choice of a Novice or Intermediate Whitewater Kayak Instruction course in White Salmon, Washington, on any available date that works for you.
How to enter:
1. Join RallyCrew or log in
2. Search AQ Outdoors Calgary or Wet Planet
3. Follow the Business Listing for the prize you want
4. Comment on the giveaway post on that listing
You can enter for one prize or both.
For a bonus entry, follow the participating business on Instagram and share this reel to your story.
Winners randomly selected May 13.
More course info is on RallyCrew. Link in RallyCrew bio.
PNW paddling season is very much awake.
Cedar Creek Slalom Races, Collegiate Whitewater Fest, other epic paddling events, river days stacking up, group texts getting louder, and plenty more coming down the line.
Keep an eye on RallyCrew for races, clinics, meetups, and more ways to find your people on the water this season.
First impressions of our spring week in the Pyrenees 🏔️
Today we hit the Gállego River, one of the more scenic runs — perfect to warm up and learn to operate as a group.
The Pyrenees welcomed us with some juice, full sun, and spectacular views!
Stay tuned 🔥
#whitewaterkayaking #whitewaterismagic #ewws #pyrenees
Dog leg falls 🐕
A mean little feature on the SUP, we did it a few years back and despite our progression it still provides a challenge!
#whitewatersup #riversup #whitewater #riverbaby #supadventure
The definition of big water is relevant. Whether you are pushing your personal limits on a high water lap of your local run, or traveling to the other side of the world to push the limits of the sport, it all feels big at some point. And we all know that feeling of being deep in it.
#bigwater #whitewater #whitewaterkayaking #rallycrew
