September Sun

For the 19th and 20th of September, my brother and I joined Nate and Heather Herbeck for a trip to the Tieton River. While Heather taught kayak lessons or guided rafts Nate, my brother and I ran laps on the upper section of the Tieton. The run is continuous with standing waves and catch on the go surf waves the whole way down. After throwing dozens of wavewheels and kickflips on the standing waves, we came up on the Bridge Wave. The Bridge Wave is a relatively slow river-wide wave with a sticky left side. After I figured out the dynamics of the wave I was able throw consistent blunts and spins and occasional loops. Because the river is dam controlled it only flows in September, which means large crowds show up each weekend. Watching cat-rafts, paddle rafts, and inflatable kayakers surf the bridge wave was always entertaining, and the bridge over the wave provided for a unique viewing angle.

WCKA Summer Session: Part 2

After a week of paddling around Missoula the Summer Sessions crew finally started our journey to the Skookumchuck Narrows. Along the way we picked up our instructors girlfriend Blake and former WCKA student Adriane Levknecht. On our way to the wave we stopped at the Nahatlatch Creek in British Columbia for a quick class III run. Despite the long windy road to the put-in, the endless boulder gardens and occasional playspots made for a great break during the long drive.

Bluntin' Skook

As soon as we'd reserved a campsite at Brown Lake we drove 15 minutes to the Egmont boat launch and paddled another 15 minutes to the wave. Surrounded by 10-15 other paddlers we watched the wave build and shrink, and for three hours surfed the glassy surface. At the end of the day we locked up our boats and hiked the 2.5 miles back to Egmont. For the next four days we hiked back and forth to the wave, surfing it for 3-4 hours at a time between 12.8 and 14.4 knots. A couple days into our session at skook team Wave Sport showed up and showed off their quiver of aerial tricks. Brian Kirk and Kelsey Thompson held most of the attention throwing down helixes, airscrews, and huge pistol flips. Though I was far from being able to land any of these moves, by the end of the trip I was throwing consistent air blunts and occasional backstabs. Everyone in our group improved over this short session and without instruction from our coach or the helpful locals we still would have been straight surfing at the end of the trip. Skook was the biggest and best wave I'd ever surfed and I can't wait to surf it again in the near future.

WCKA Summer Session: Part 1

After some time on the Clark Fork we decided to drive to Mesa Falls in Idaho for an overnight park and huck. As soon as we reached the parking lot we began the quick hike to the waterfall. One mile and 50 mosquito bites later, we arrived at the Mesa and thoroughly scouted the falls. I wasn't able to convince my coach to let me run the 65ft. drop on the right side, but the 10 and 30ft. consecutive waterfalls on the left side still got my adrenaline pumping. Along with my own thrill in running the drop, I was able to watch Karsten Thompson run Mesa, his first waterfall, with a clean line. After we hiked through a steep scree field and back up the trail we set up camp, ate a quick meal, and got some sleep. The next morning we headed back to Crystal Springs, and arrived with just enough time to load the boats and gear on the van before heading to the Skookumchuck Narrows...

My brother boofing the top drop...
... And launching off the second one

My brother and I looking downstream after a successful huck

Photo Credits: Mike Malament

Lewis River Falls '09

For the 4th of July my brother and I joined Nate and Heather Herbeck for a Liquid Kayak mission to the Lower Falls on the Lewis River. We arrived at the drop at about noon, and within an hour had set up good media coverage and reliable safety. My brother and I were the only ones really keen on running the drop, and as usual I was made to go first. I approached the first 5ft. ledge in control and was able to stay right before boofing and dropping over the 35ft. waterfall. With everything in tact I rolled up and paddled through the turquoise waters to the take out below. Because of a not-so-perfect experience on this drop last year my brother was a little more nervous than I was. Fortunately right after I set safety I watched my brother fire off the drop with an incredibly clean line. He reserfaced soon and threw up a fist in satisfaction. Later we all jumped off the 30-50ft cliffs that surrounded the falls. - A killer 4th of July.

My brother's line last year... ---------- ...But he cleaned it this year

Heather Herbeck, my brother, and I taking a victory jump

Swift Water Rescue Class

Over the last weekend my brother and I spent three days at Wet Planet in Husum, WA learning professional swiftwater rescue techniques. We spent our time in and out of the water understanding and practicing a variety of rescue techniques. I was already aware of and had used many of the rescue techniques, but methods such as the Z-Drag system and foot entrapment resolution were new to me. From learning how to tie proper knots for different situations to learning how to un-pin a raft or kayak I learned many skills at this course and feel confident to use each technique in real life situation. Instructors Jonathon Blum and Todd Collins not only knew the proper techniques for each situation but had executed almost every skill in their past experiences. I hope I don't have to be involved in too many rescue situations in the near future, but I know that with extreme kayaking comes these situations on a regular basis. Now I feel like I can resolve many dangerous whitewater situations safely and efficiently.

White Salmon and Little White Extreme Races

This weekend was the best competitive weekend of kayaking I've ever had. It started with the White Salmon Extreme race and Orletta sprint on Saturday. In the extreme race teams of three had to safely bring each member of the race from the Green Truss Bridge to the Orletta put-in. My brother and I teamed up with Tao Berman to paddle the raging class V section. The levels were higher than I'd ever seen (nearly 5' on the Husum gauge) but because the Truss was a local favorite for all three of us we were able to take first place with time to spare. The next race was the Orletta Sprint. With only 5 second intervals each racer had to paddle about a mile of class IV rapids from the Orletta to Wet Planet North. Behind Tao and Max, I was able to take 3rd place in this event. The races were all part of the White Salmon Symposium, which ended with a rockin party at the Trailhead B&B in Trout Lake.

Saturday night we heard rumor of there being a race on the Little White the next morning, so as soon as we woke up my brother and I drove to Drano Lake. There were only six competitors in the race, but four others were there to set safety. In the first heat Tao Berman, Ryan Scott and I raced head to head from the Gettin Busy to Boulder Sluice. Tao took off far in front, but throughout the race Ryan Scott and I battled closely for the 2nd place slot. I was still ahead of him at Boulder Sluice, but in the last couple class II rapids Ryan passed me and beat me by less than a boat length. Because his boat was leaking badly before the next heat Ryan let me move on to the next heat in his place. In the final heat Tao, Lizzy English, Dan, and I raced head to head from below S-Turn to below Wishbone. I was able to maintain my distance on Dan throughout the race until I went over Bowey Hotel upside down. After a sketchy recovery at Bowey's I raced the rest of the way down and finished in 3rd place overall. The rest of the paddle down was really relaxing and a smooth line over Spirit Falls topped off an amazing race. Two races on my two favorite rivers and a great party all in one weekend... Who can ask for anything more?

Layin Treats on Spirit Falls

Photos by Tate Taylor and Stiv Wilson of Wend Magazine

Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival

The Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival (May 16- 17) was an action packed weekend for paddlers of all ability. For me the fun began with the kayak mass start race. In this event 15-20 paddlers in playboats all sprinted through carter rapid and to the finish gate below. Throughout the race I was near the front of the group battling it out between 4 other paddlers for first place. I wasn't able to take first, but I was the third one to pass under the finish line. Shortly after this event was over my brother and I met up with two other paddlers who were interested in entering in the relay race. We took up the offer, and over the 4 part course our team took first place. To end the action packed day, my brother and I competed in the big air competition. This was hands down the most exciting event. Every athlete slide down a 30ft. ramp off a 5ft. jump in to the river below. I was able to throw down a variety of barrel roll tricks, and even attempted a few backflips. The highlight of this event was watching Steven Olsen fly down the ramp twice as fast as anyone else with a skateboard attached to the bottom of his kayak and throw huge tricks. Unfortunately I wasn't able to place in this event, but Todd Baker threw numerous stylish barrel roll tricks to take first and Steven Olsen came in a close second. I couldn't find many pictures of the event but these photos were shot by David Brigg.

Steven Olsen throws a huge kickflip for second place