I really liked this picture of my youngest daughter, Paige, who wanted me to work with her on rolling. It was early September, the Gutter was loaded with parents and kids paddling and it was just a great day.
To me, this is what paddling is all about - I may never run a class V, just give me a kid on the river 
Also go HERE and check out another Boise youngster, Connor, and his letter to EJ on the Jackson Kayak site.
We took off last Thursday and headed for Oregon. Could not have asked for better weather
For the first couple of days we stayed at my in-laws ranch near Glide. We happened to find that one of my Father-in-laws friends across the road paddled and not only that - had a cool surf wave in his back yard on the North Umpqua River. We paddled a few hours with Bruce on Friday. He had an Dagger Freefall which he paddled for a while, then jumped in my Rocker and paddled a bit - even surfed it. Then jumped in Tyler’s 4Fun, the shortest boat he had been in - and really carved up the wave! The water was cool and very clear - great to be on the river during the ‘off season’!
Then on Sunday we hit headed for the coast. Stopped in at our camp site at Honeyman Park just south of Florence. We have never ocean surfed before, so this was all new. Ran up to recon South Jetty and after a couple of calls to WelshKate we had our many questions answered for the most part (I thought of plenty more while I was crawling into my boat)! Thanks Kate!
Monday we parked at the end of the Jetty and hiked about 1/2 mile to a spot that looked good. Pulling boats over the sand has a lot more friction than I thought. Took off somewhat apprehensively into waves that looked to be 4 to 5 feet. Kate’s advice on getting out through the surf helped a lot! The waves were great - Man, I love front surfing
Tuesday we paid the $5 fee and parked at Beach #3 on the Jetty and carried boats over the sand hill - much easier. Waves were either a little bigger or just steeper here - even more fun! After about 1-1/2 hours into it I was wiped out. Started catching edges and know it was time to get out. Had some great rides - a little grinding and 360’s.
I was surprised at some of the differences between river boating and surf kayaking.
- I found it a little more sandy
- The salt water was different to be in. Felt like I had eaten a bag of sunflower seeds after 1/2 hour
- We all found that when a wave is dumping you onto the beach really watch your edge! It’s not fun grinding up the beach for 20 feet on your shoulder and ear 
- There was also a lot of sand.
- There is a wave about every 6 to 9 seconds.
- Lots of sand
- It is pretty shallow! Where we were the waves were breaking at about 6 feet deep, but about 1/2 way in you were in 2 feet of water.
- When the wave hits you it’s like 0 to 30 in .5 seconds
- Pulling your boat in sand is harder than I thought - gear up and carry that sucker!
- Did I mention lots of sand???
It was a great time with a big learning curve. Can’t wait until next year - already making plans! Here are a few pics - I’ll get some video on this weekend…
Carl’s Wave - hard to see with the lighting
Day 1: Pulling boats
Day 2: Getting Ready
Up and over…
Troy and Tyler with their Grandpa Teel
Fish out of water…
Heading out
Tough life…
Looking for crab
The whole Tribe
From Devon:
Dear Friends,
Come learn to roll or work on your brace for free at BSU! Oct. 5th! I am holding a video presentation followed by a pool night at BSU. All the details you need are below and in the attachments. I cannot wait to see all of you right before I leave for the Surf Wolds in Spain! You can also check out the info on www.jacksonkayak.com!
Paddle in Peace, Devon
BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS RECREATION
AND ALPENGLOW KAYAK SHOP PRESENT WOMEN AND KAYAKING
Spend the evening with not only a renowned kayaker, but also a renowned female kayaker. Devon is the World Surf Kayak Champion, a 2-time National Freestyle Kayak Champion, a National Certified Board Educator, and the creator of Dare to Kayak. Everyone is welcome to watch a slideshow of her incredible adventures on the World Kayak Tour and her other kayak trips around the world. Her story and experiences will inspire female kayakers of all skill level. Then spend a few hours in the pool working on rolling techniques and outfitting kayaks to be more specific to women.
Women and kayaking will be held on Friday, October 5 from 6:00pm until 7:00pm in the Student Recreation Center classroom for the slideshow, and then we will move to the Boise State Pool for rolling techniques from 7pm until 10pm. The cost is free. Don’t forget your water bottle and swimwear.
Contact: Geoff Harrison, Assistant Director for Outdoor Program, (208) 426-2628, gharriso@boisestate.edu.
Media Contact: Heather Gribble, Promotions Coordinator for Campus Recreation, (208) 426-5674, heathergribble@boisestate.edu.
For additional details visit our web-site: http://rec.boisestate.edu/outdoor/climbing/events.cfm.
I just saw this on Westley’s Wild World - New Hero/Super Hero and SideKick design is out! This boat looks sweet! Really looks like a blend between a Fun and Rocker.
The best part is the smaller version for kids. I’m sure Troy will be picking up a SideKick this spring
Go to the Jackson Kayak site for all the details.
We paddled Friday night with Jim Grossman and his son Buey (5). Jim gave Troy some great tips for 360s and getting out of the hole, which for Troy can be extremely retentive since he only weighs 65 pounds.
Saturday we met the the McLeod and Jackson families and had a great afternoon. Check out CJ’s and Brindi’s blogs. Great to see these kids getting together outside of RiverKids. They are all becoming very good paddlers.
Sunday hooked up with Jim and Buey again for a run down the lower section of the Main - Beehive Bend through Climax Wave.
Here are some pics from the weekend…
Jim and Buey
Seth and Hayden
Jim and Troy (”Now watch and learn, Grasshop-ahh…”)
Jim
Troy
This is from the Idaho Dept of Transportation.
SH 55: from after The North Horseshoe Bend City Limits to before Garden Valley Road
wildfire, roadway reduced to one lane, long delays — pilot car in operation
Comment: Pilot cars will guide motorists through milepost 77 to 78 near Banks. Delays of up to 30 minutes.
last updated today at 4:05 AM
If you have paddled the Gutter, no doubt you have seen Shadow (A.K.A Gutter Dog). He lives nearby and spends dawn to dusk at the Gutter - just waiting for someone to throw a stick or rock. He will actually have is entire body underwater for 10 seconds with only his tail sticking out to retrieve a rock. Here he is in a rare moment actually sitting and wanting me to pet him…
Devon Barker posted an article some local kids. Check it out HERE!
If you are paddling the Main Payette, SouthFork, NorthFork, or Cabarton runs today this may affect you!Â
Link to article HERE
Statesman staff - Idaho Statesman
Edition Date: 09/08/07
Idaho 55 north of Horseshoe Bend will be closed from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. today.Firefighters working on the Chief Parrish Fire plan to set a backburn near the highway today, weather permitting.
The Idaho 55 section that is north of Horseshoe Bend and south of the Banks-to-Lowman road closed Tuesday about 12:30 p.m. when the Chief Parrish Fire started burning close to the highway.
One lane was reopened on Wednesday.
For current driving conditions on Idaho highways, call 5-1-1 (In the recording, choose “Banks” as the starting reference point.) or visit 511.idaho.gov.
AW
If you haven’t checked out Morgan’s Chronicles then you are missing something. 