Sunday was a beautiful day, temperatures were in the mid-60’s with cloudy skies. The river was just over 1,200 cfs- a muddy brown from the recent rain. After setting shuttle, John Pinyerd and I walked down to the boat dock at Powers Ferry. John proposed the outline of today’s wildwater workout: we would break down the Metro Hooch run from Powers Ferry to Paces Ferry into four intervals (four mini-races)

First we warmed up by attaining up to Cochran Shoals and then paddling back down to the dock at Powers Ferry. From there I set out for the first interval; my boat is to paddle as hard as I can down to the “big rock” above the Devil’s Racecourse. I had a 30 second lead for the interval. John passed soon after paddling under the I-285 Bridge; I then followed him down to the rock. Whew, one down three to go! The next interval would be the entirety of the Devil’s Racecourse. There was about 500 cfs more water, but I paddled well down the first drop. In the clam water before the middle of the rapid John passed me. The waves were much bigger but I held my line through them. Then the sharp turn to the left and the last section of whitewater. I was less certain of line here, so I did resort to the noseplugs for this last section I dodged the rocks and ran the section clean! From there, the next interval was down to the large rock across from Whitewater Creek. This interval started with a long paddle in the calm water; just as I approached the start of Thornton Shoals, John flew by. Soon we were at the big rock.

“Down to the Big Rock”

The last interval was down to the mid-stream big rock near the boat ramp at Paces Ferry. I felt like I got my wind back, and I did negotiate Long Island Shoals well, staying in the faster current. John passed me just after the I-75 bridge, yelling “good lines” Thanks, John! From there he easily held the lead as we raced to the big rock. Our day didn’t end at the boat ramp at Paces Ferry; we added an extra workout. John paddled down to the bridge for Paces Ferry and I paddled to the top of the rapid, upstream form the bridge. I waited in an eddy for John’s return and then we attained back upstream!

I was both a great day on the river and a good workout. Thanks, John!