River Running this Weekend

[dloveski]

Heading out in the early a.m. to the Green River where I will try out my non-existent kayaking skills. The water level is dropping daily, so we decided at the last minute this was the weekend to go (it was too high last week and will be too low, according to my brother who tracks these things) next week.

So wish me luck. It's not a guided trip, just my brother handing us the oars and telling us to keep our feet up if we dunk.

 

[geargrrl]

...and don't let go of your paddle, stay with your boat.
Hardshell or ducky? If it's a hardshell, how is your roll? It's usually recommended to have a solid pool roll in a hardshell before you hit the river.

We do lots of whitewater, we've been private boaters for 20+ years. If you know what you are doing, keep safety in mind there's nothing to be afraid of.

gg

 

[dloveski]

a little of everything...

Double duckies? maybe some single duckies. and hopefully a raft? The gear is down there now, I guess I'll be surprised. We're bringing the beer.

And I don't know how to kayak roll----I know what it is, how important it is, but have never practiced it or tried it. I don't think we will be in stuff too rocky or steep, but some white water runs are on this stretch.

 

[geargrrl]

Double duckies? maybe some single duckies. and hopefully a raft? The gear is down there now, I guess I'll be surprised. We're bringing the beer.

And I don't know how to kayak roll----I know what it is, how important it is, but have never practiced it or tried it. I don't think we will be in stuff too rocky or steep, but some white water runs are on this stretch.

If you are in duckies, ( inflatable kayaks) rolling is a non-issue. That is strictly a hard shell kayak skill. if you get dumped in your duckies, you'll go out simple as that. Hang onto your paddle (a must) and your boat if you can. Otherwise your gear will head right down the river.
Helmets are recommended. Basic technique is not to get sideways to any waves, try and hit them straight on (perpendicular) and paddle through. Momentum is your friend.

Not to worry, my kids were paddling class 3 in duckies when they were eight years old.

Like I said, we've been boating for 20+ years, if you have any other questions (what to wear etc) ask away.

really old pic, this is my son at 8 on the lower Salmon.

gg

 

[dloveski]

Thanks for the tips geargrrl. The trip was great, the water perfect, and a fun time had by all. A couple of our fellow boaters got thrown out on one (the only) class III. It was a crash course for me in rowing. It's a lot of work to shuttle the gear between the launch and landing points, but more than worth every bit of it.

I could get addicted to this---now I want my own inflatable duckie.

 

[vanhoskier]

I've found that kayaking in any form is addicting! I took a whitewater course, and now I have my own kayak (a playboat/river runner hybrid) and love it! I'm headed out to my local river tomorrow again! I've done nothing over class II, but I have a LOT to learn!

I'm getting the hang of my roll - I practice on a lake - but it isn't quite second nature yet.

I'm so glad to have found this awesome sport - it's a great thing to do when it's not ski season!