Whitewater Survival Tips
I took note of this excellent post on the message board of MaCKRO (Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Association) and felt that it should be shared by as many paddlers as possible before the upcoming race.
The following is from veteran paddler Clayton Cole, who has lived by the Kenduskeag for 20 years:
"The high flow makes for lots of eddys, holes, wave trains and turbulence, but most difficult spots can be avoided . I would like to share some tips: If possible run the whitewater Friday. Scout the tricky spots Saturday morning. Be prepared to swamp or swim (wear proper clothing). Use at least 4 feet of floatation in any boat, have 6" grab loops or 6' lines with no knots. Have one bailer for each paddler. Keep your boat dry - bail or pull over and dump. Better yet, avoid the middle and skirt around all the big stuff. You must paddle with determination in big whitewater. Don't stare at the hole or wave train or it will suck you in. Commit early to a route, look where you want to go and paddle as hard as you can. Keep your paddle in the water including the recovery when it gets rough and especially if you are carrying water. Don't stop paddling in the big stuff - you will turn sideways and then it gets, well use your imagination. This is going to be a good one!"
posted by Michael Alden @ 5:46 AM
16 comments
16 Comments:
geez mike startsing a blog at quater to 6 in the morning do you ever sleep? I am going to try and run six mile today and snap some photos(not at the same time). where do you plan on taking photos this year? I liked the photos from shopping cart last year. but six mile is notourious. either way I sure they will be great. also here is a tidal chart for race day.
http://www.mobilegeographics.com:81/locations/363.html
HI...I live on the stream about 1.5 miles above 6 mile falls in the first house on left after the railroad bridge. I'll be a spectator--this is too much for me. But, I'll be happy to provide an "exit ramp" to help anyone who wants to get out for any reason (cold, wet, hungry, scared....whatever). And we'll get them back to their vehicle if necessary. This probably doesn't mean anyone reading this site however!
Although it has gone down about a foot since Wednesday, this morning you could still paddle right into my yard. Usually it's a 3 to 6 foot drop from the top of the bank. We have seen many large trees go downstream, and lots of smaller debris.
Have fun out there!
looking forward to your pics paddler boy good luck today. This will be my second year in the race and first year with a kayak six mile falls looks ok, shopping cart scares me!
Thanks for the tidal chart, Paddler Boy Pat! Looks like high tide moving in for 2:30pm. Just in time for the sweep canoe.
the six foot rope you talked about should this be hooked to both ends of the kayak. I know last year we had a rope on both ends of the canoe but the kayak has handles on both ends please let me know want to be as safe as I can. I bought a helmet and wet suit. I didn't get a skirt for the kayak, still learning and running out of funds after getting the kayak and other gear. Would love to hear any tips you have for novice kayakers. Thanks
Pat - do you have any ideas for Mike in terms of grab loops or line?
Mike - sounds like you are quite prepared for battle. Pat would know more about lines for kayaks than I would.
Just one other note here, folks. We don't yet know how Parks & Rec will set up this race. They may mark off certain sections for portage, bypassing the really scary stuff. I have heard that the water is dropping, but not quite as fast as some expected. I don't imagine the race organization will know until later tonight or tomorrow morning, however. They do take safety seriously and work closely with search & rescue. If I hear anything, I'll post it - and if any of you hear anything by all means let us know. I expect to hear some paddler reports by this evening (a lot of them are out testing the water this afternoon).
Ok the grab loops are good but you could always tie on some rope I will be bringing with me about 100 feet of rope tomorrow for anyone who needs some, just looks for my name on the board(P. Eugene Davis) and find out what number I am. to help you spot me better I have a black helmet with red and grey flames on it and a green kayak. yeah it never hurts to have rope on your boat makes it alot eaiser to get up that steep incline at valley ave. six mile falls is a bumpy yet wet ride. most novice paddlers should have no problems making it down I ran it 4 times today. with no tippage(bounus points) mike have some photos for you as soon as my wife get home with the camera.
Paddler Boy, You are the man! I may need to hit you up for rope that would be awesome. I'll look you up but you won't be able to miss us. Myself & 3 girls with sombreros & a giant inflatable monkey. I'll have to ask you for some advice for the falls & the cart too. It wont be easy with a huge boat & 3 novice chicks but at least we'll look good.
Thanks for the help man,
mike
my girl came home with some skirts for the kayaks and I am getting rope to tie on them. She went by six mile and said she thinks left side. All excited can't wait for tomorrow morning to come.
as easy as left(right from the bridge) side looks. its appears to be a nightmare when paddling. I stuck almost dead center the entire way down, however I was in a yak. far right if your looking up from the bridge(left in the water) is the best option. and smoothest ride how ever you may be tired when you get there and sticking to that plan is going to be another thing
Hey Pat -
Sounds good about Six Mile Falls. Did you also try the Shopping Cart hole? I saw a lot of people scouting the stream down there from the banks, but I didn't actually see anyone going through in a boat.
Do you mean stay to the left at the fork approaching 6 mile falls or stay to the right by the portage THEN stay left? Last year I stayed to the right at the Fork, hugged the left side though. After that we went far right past a big rock that looked like a gorge. That shot us left where we kept going right directly to the emergency tent. Is that big rock\gorge there this year?
mike if I do up a photo for the best route of travel can you post it on here? I will do it up now so every one knows what I am talking about.
Paddler! Please do! My girls are a little scared from the pics so far. A map would help tons!
I scouted 6 mile for about an hour this afternoon and to be honest. RL coming into the falls looks to be the safest route. There are about two tricky spots then its smooth paddling to the bridge. DONT go far river right coming into the falls unless you plan on a portage. Right down the center looks fairly doable if you hit a good line. The water is still pretty high so the middle route although it looks intimidating shouldn't actually be that bad. I was planning on a portage but after running from six mile to I95 today....maybe I won't. I think it will depend on how tired I am at that point.
Ok I sent mike alden a map and some new photos. so when he gets the chance he will upload them I did go down and Look at shopping cart alley. almost crapped my pants. I am daring enough to try it tomorrow however I believe but I am in a yak. people if you don't want to swim tomorrow I would stick as far right to shore as possible when going down through there the voltures will not be happy about it, but it just looks dangerous.
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