The Hammer Factor – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode Charlie Walbridge joins us to discuss the now protected corridor along the Cheat River in West Virginia. From there Charlie takes us through his career in paddling and gives us some behind the scenes details about his accident reporting.

And just like that we're back. In this episode Scott Shipley joins us to discuss the merits and feasibility of modifying rivers to make them less dangerous. From there we bring in Evan Dyer, Pete Frazer, Lou Kronzer and Robbie Gilson to discuss a nearly fatal pin at Go Left on the Green River. Enjoy and we'll see you on the river!

Get your Whitewater Journal HERE Benny Marr has a long list of whitewater accomplishments ranging from mind-blowing first descents to freestyle innovations on some of the world's biggest waves. This two-time Rider of the Year who has bested Dane Jackson more than once shares compelling stories about not only the river but the mindset involved with running the hardest whitewater on the planet. Enjoy this episode and learn more about Benny at: https://www.bennyfcknmarr.com/ From American Whitewater...will it ever be safe to paddle the Tallulah? Overreach or common sense. https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Article/view/article_id/8cfCnFBZjZCt5nA7cXogN/?fbclid=IwAR2Icvh56HU9gnssAgu0nVG6WmFqRZaLhoJG3l9fu0npornsxDXHGIcUt3U How close are we to going insane. Was it the years of life on the edge, one too many bumps to the head, just too much weed or genetics that sent Dean over the edge? https://www.outsideonline.com/2421062/dean-cummings#close The disappearing waterfall. How does the tallest waterfall in Ecuador just vanish? https://dialogochino.net/en/infrastructure/33765-san-rafael-ecuadors-tallest-waterfall-disappeared-coca-codo-sinclair/

Get your Whitewater Journal HERE In our last episode of 2020, we are joined by Antoinette Lee Toscano to discuss Whitewater TV and her 'clapback' of a previous episode of The Hammer Factor. From there we bring on Chris Hipgrave to get the scoop on whitewater boat designs past and future. Next Grace gets roasted for being nervous about the Coronavirus Vaccine and of course we shut down with rants and raves. Thank you for listening and enjoy. Toscano Clapback on Whitewater TV: https://xotv.me/channels/359-whitewatertv/vod_videos/5891-bonus-episode-hammer-factor-plus-meme-boof-clapback Email From Allen Roberts: 'Hey Hammer Factor,I'm an infectious disease epidemiologist and long time paddler. I heard some misconceptions about the Covid mRNA vaccines during your last episode. I want to help clear some of these up. This isn't "hate mail" and I'm not calling anyone stupid or ignorant. Skepticism is healthy when it comes to any medical interventions that haven't been rigorously tested. And our current administration's attacks on health experts at the FDA, CDC, and NIH have only increased public mistrust. It's completely understandable to be concerned.However, the evidence thus far for both efficacy and safety is looking really good for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are the two mRNA vaccines that have results from rigorous testing. Here are a few common questions and misconceptions, many of which I heard on the podcast. I hope some of this information will be useful if you decide to keep talking about the Covid vaccine on the podcast or just in conversations with friends and family.Also, the CDC has a nice summary about mRNA vaccines here:https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/mrna-vaccine-basics.htmlThanks for making the Hammer Factor happen - it's great company when I'm driving to the river solo in these quarantine days.Allen RobertsSeattle, WAPS: I don't work for any pharma company in case you think Pfizer executives are paying me to write into Hammer Factor (although that sounds like the start of a good conspiracy theory!). My only interest is to avert deaths and get through this pandemic as quickly as possible. Those of us who work in a hospital setting see how bad this disease can be, both for those who are sick and for the families who aren't allowed to visit them as they die alone in the hospital. And even though most paddlers may be at low risk for severe illness from Covid, vaccination is the fastest way for us to get back to huge crowds at the Green Race and cramped van shuttles without worrying about spreading the infection.Are the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines "self-replicating"?Is this "gene therapy in a needle"? Not at all. This vaccine is NOT modifying your genes, which would require changing your cells' DNA. mRNA is the transcript that all of your cells use to make proteins. In this case, your cells are being provided a transcript to make a specific protein on the SARS-CoV-2 virus called the spike protein. This is the protein that your immune system mounts a response to. The mRNA in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is not "self-replicating". Your cells take up the mRNA transcript, make the spike protein, and the mRNA gets degraded. The coronavirus itself is self-replicating - so if you are worried about self-replicating genetic material infecting your cells, you're describing a virus, not a vaccine, and you should be worrying about getting Covid, not about getting vaccinated.There are self-amplifying mRNA vaccines (called sa-mRNA) that are in development, which is maybe where you heard this. This type of vaccine also includes mRNA to produce the viral polymerase, which can replicate the mRNA transcript for the spike protein.There is good reason to try this, since you could give much lower initial doses of the mRNA, but even this isn't "gene therapy". But these vaccines will have to go through rigorous testing before they could be approved.Have mRNA vaccines been tried before?

Get your Whitewater Journal HERE LISTEN TO 78 HERE In the second part of the series, Evan kicks us off with his Southeast Paddling experience. From there, our hosts talk about everything from boat design to the new Covid-19 vaccine. Of course, we shut this two-part series down with some epic rants and raves! Thank you for listening and enjoy. Hammer Factor Subscription Options Itunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/amongstit-inc/id1095013227?mt=2 Stitcher:http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/john-grace/the-hammer-factor?refid=stpr RSS Direct Feed:http://feeds.feedburner.com/HammerFactor Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNW1jev8xx84dc05QZGqKA Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/hammerfactor/?

Get your Whitewater Journal HERE In part one of this two-part series Louis kicks os off with some important policy announcements. From there, our hosts dig into some disgruntled listener mail taking aim at Louis. From there we move into a Green Race recap with insider details on the live stream. Finally, we bring Evan Garcia on to discuss all things nerdy to whitewater. Thank you for listening and enjoy! Hammer Factor Subscription Options Itunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/amongstit-inc/id1095013227?mt=2 Stitcher:http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/john-grace/the-hammer-factor?refid=stpr RSS Direct Feed:http://feeds.feedburner.com/HammerFactor Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNW1jev8xx84dc05QZGqKA Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/hammerfactor/?

In part two of this series, we hear about the huge turnout at the Upper Yough Race.  From there we bring on the shadowy Instagram figure Meme Boof to discuss his page and somewhat genius sense of humor.  From there we dig into listener mail, rants and raves and more! LISTEN HERE Check out the complete LVM set here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/lvm Hammer Factor Subscription Options Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/amongstit-inc/id1095013227?mt=2 Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/john-grace/the-hammer-factor?refid=stpr RSS Direct Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HammerFactor Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNW1jev8xx84dc05QZGqKA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hammerfactor/?

In part one of this two-part series, we get a first-hand account of what may be the greatest whitewater rescue story ever told! Sam Davis describes how a small bobble at Kanawha Falls led to a nearly seven-hour struggle to survive while at the same time Corey Lilly and an incredible crew of paddlers worked relentlessly to rescue him.  There are many takeaways from this experience and something every whitewater kayaker should take the time to listen to.  In a year when positive outcomes are hard to come by this is right on time! Check out the complete LVM set here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/lvm Click HERE to listen. Hammer Factor Subscription Options Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/amongstit-inc/id1095013227?mt=2 Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/john-grace/the-hammer-factor?refid=stpr RSS Direct Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HammerFactor Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNW1jev8xx84dc05QZGqKA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hammerfactor/?

In this episode, we bring Eric Jackson, founder of Apex Kayaks on the show to discuss his new business and Kickstarter campaign.  As well we discuss upcoming Upper Yough race, boat materials, listener mail and much more.  Thanks for listening and enjoy! Check out the complete LVM set here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/lvm Hammer Factor Subscription Options Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/amongstit-inc/id1095013227?mt=2 Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/john-grace/the-hammer-factor?refid=stpr RSS Direct Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HammerFactor Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNW1jev8xx84dc05QZGqKA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hammerfactor/? NRS Just Add Water:  https://www.nrs.com/project/just-add-water/ Carbon Creek Boat:  https://www.guigui-prod.eu/uk/Blog/Entrees/2017/12/30_The_Shinobi.html Carbon Fiber In Bikes: https://ridegg.com/blogs/dispatch/revved-carbon Atlas Design House:  https://atlasdesignhouse.com/  

In this episode, Ben Luck shares his recent FKT of 15 hours and 2 minutes on the Middle Kings River.  Your hosts discuss the launch of Eric Jackson’s new carbon fiber kayak and learn about a massive foamie boat river under construction.  Enjoy and thanks for listening. Check out the complete LVM set here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/lvm Hammer Factor Subscription Options Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/amongstit-inc/id1095013227?mt=2 Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/john-grace/the-hammer-factor?refid=stpr RSS Direct Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HammerFactor Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNW1jev8xx84dc05QZGqKA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hammerfactor/? Outside Magazine article on Flush Drowning:  https://www.outsideonline.com/2411473/flush-drowning-whitewater-deaths-study Apex Watercraft Kickstarter:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ericjackson/apex-watercraft?ref=discovery&term=apex%20watercraft