2017: Post 7 – The other kind of whitewater

I don't think anyone in my kayak circle of friends considers themselves to be a 'whitewater kayaker' but a lot of us tend to seek out the ocean whitewater spots when sea kayaking... and so, over the last couple years, some of us have bought crossover kayaks so we can have more fun in the ocean whitewater.  Now and then we do decide to get on the river to have some fun in the "other kind of whitewater" and to get a truer whitewater experience.  Yesterday was one of those days...

The clubs annual retreat is occurring this weekend and three of my buddies (Shane, Clyde, and Hazen) decided to sign up to take advantage of the instruction on the Terra Nova River near the Ruins... none of them have spent time on a river before, although they've spent plenty of time in ocean current and rock gardens.

Brian and I figured it would be fun to watch our buddies on the river for the first time, and so we decided to drive out and spend the day on the river.   

There were fifteen boats, with several canoes in the mix, and a full range of whitewater skills.  Personally, my whitewater skills are on the low end, but I think the time I have spent, and instruction I have received, on the river have helped to make me a better sea kayaker...

Anyway, I didn't really take a lot of pictures or video clips, but here are a few to share...

A couple of the 'real' whitewater guys ran 'The Ledge', making it look too easy...

I would have liked to have ran the ledge but I just don't have enough skill, or confidence in the little bit of skill I have, and so I remained content to watch the guys who know what they are doing... 

Although my buddy Shane would have loved to take a run at the ledge, he had to be content with a much safer alternative...

So what kind of day did we have yesterday?  I think this pic of Shane answers that question...

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Here's a pic Hazen took that he named "River Boys".... 

Clyde, me, Shane, and Brian