Tuesday/Wednesday PaddleFest

[STRAKER]

Got a few days to enjoy the rain this week. Tuesday morning got a nice warm up lap on the Upper Moormans (see other trip report and wood update). We still had plenty of time in the day so I called up Big Mike who as usual had ample time away from work in order to paddle (I need that guys job). Keith and I met up with Mike and we high tailed it out to the Tye. It was Keith's PFD for this run and congrats to him for stepping it up on this day. The Tye and I have had a long history that goes all the way back to my first year of paddling. Long story short, I never can seem to get away from this river without going in the drink, and this time would be no exception. I still think the river gods where not happy with me because I did not confess my previous swim on Corner Rapid at Goshen some weeks ago and thus blame this one on that fact. The level was about 650cfs so it was a fun level but low enough that boo boo rocks where abundant. The first half of the run when off without a hitch. Then we somehow got out of order on the river and our first timer Keith ended up in the lead. I was focusing on him and his lines and wanted to make sure that we didnt have any issues, unfortunately I was not looking at my own lines and decided to drop slightly sidways and with no momentum into a rather large hole. The resultling flip was fairly calm and I set up a nice roll (attempt) in the deeper water. Well it didnt get me upright so I began setting up for the second when the small pool ran out and the beatdown on the river bottom began that resulted in the out of boat experience. I laughed off the swim and continued down the river with some new bloodly knuckles. Near the end off the run I had another small error and was pushed into an angled rock that resulted in a violent flip into very shallow water and hence swim number two. The rest of the run when off well. Mike fired up a second lap and Keith and I drove up the NF to check out the scene up top. Wednesday had us heading to the Maury with Clayton, Keith, Mike and myself leading some newbies down the Rockbridge Baths section. We left the newbies at the PO and we fired up a lap from Indian Pool down, then came to meet them for the rest of the trip. There were some things that happened in the ledges but I will leave those stories for others to tell.............. since I had an upright day. The new guys had a pretty good day as well considering it was their first river trip in a kayak there were not too many swims but just enough for me to have some fun video taping. New guys, sorry I forgot your names but congrats on the PFD and look forward to paddling with you again. It was a great two days and a good start to my Spring. Cant wait til next week looks like we have more rain on the horizon. SYOTR Chris

[keithmasill81]

So I guess its my turn to confess. After a great warm up on the Moormans on Tuesday and a succesfull PFD on the Tye I was ready to give the middle Maury a try. (Note to self: If you discover a crack in your paddle, even a small one, replace it before it breaks in the middle of a trip.) We started at Indian Pool and were planning on heading to the PO to pick up the newbies for the lower section. I was pumped from my succesfull run on the Tye and probably feeling a little too confident, which quickly transitioned to a total lack of confidence. My first swim occured on the second rapid after the put in. I was following Straker down the river when suddenly I found myself descending, rather slowly, into a decent sized hole that had its way with me and left me swimming for shore. The next few rapids were uneventful and then we reached Brillo. I followed the rest of the group all of which made it through without a hitch, and then it was my turn. I dropped over with what I thought was plenty of momentum but was stopped dead in my tracks. I attempted to brace and was suprised to feel no resistance as I rolled towards the river bottom. I went for a set up and was pleasantly suprised to find that I no longer had my left hand on the paddle. I pulled my skirt and preceeded to head for shore. On the way I discovered the reason for my lost grip, my paddle broke and the left half was stuck upright in the middle of the rapid. After collecting my gear and making good use of Big Mike's break down, thank you, we picked up the newbies and headed down the lower section. Now that my confidence was completely destroyed I swam once more on a seemingly harmless rapid that even the newbies negotiated without problem. Thanks to Bik Mike and Straker for showing me some new stuff.

[Nutter]

sounds like a good old fashioned river beat down. Happens to every paddler from time to time. I am glad you were paddling with some quality peeps who were there to help you out of some situations, and that you made it out ok. Too bad about the paddle, but better a broken paddle than a broken you, is the way I see it. Have fun, be safe as possible, and get back on the water as soon as you can!!