welshkate

The Teiton River is located fairly close to Yakima, Wa. Its dam release and only flows in September, with the water used for irrigation of nearby fruit farms. Its a fast flowing, narrow-channel river with few eddies and much river traffic. We ran it on Sunday as part of Wet Planets paddle and pamper series. This playboating class was taught by Heather Herbeck and Christie Glissmeyer. We spent some time on flatwater moves then headed down stream. The topography of the river and the flow that we had gave rise to large wave trains over which we practiced wave wheels and airscrews. At available eddies we spent time practicing stern squirts. I think eveyone on the course managed to do at least one or two, after coaching. 

The main attraction for me though was the wave feature at the brigde. It’s a pretty shallow wave, with shoulders either side of the dynamic wave pile. It’s a forgiving play spot (becuase it doesnt have a hole) unlike spencers, with a small amount of attainment needed to get the service eddy. Ferrying onto the wave was fine, but it was nessecary to place a left rudder as the boat hit the pile to stay on the wave and not get flushed. Spins were fine, but a full 360 would lead to flushing, so it was necsesary to pause for 1 second in a back surf to fall back down the pile to complete the spin. There is also a nice spot to set up for a right blunt. Christie and Heather spent time coaching me and how to set up for it, and although i dont have it yet i know how to set up for it now. I think I may have managed a roundhouse once, but not a full blunt. Grace managed to do the same thing. Megi had the longest ride ever, to the point i was thinking about going in there to nudge her off! All the ladies on the course learnt tonnes and were surfing the wave well. A very good course to take, if you are looking to become a playboater.

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