So we found the "Buseater" - The Alex Garella six word special

Well, yesterday we made it down the correct channel to Lorne Rapids, home of the famous Greyhound Buseater wave. This feature only comes out above 14′ on the OWL gauge, so we felt pretty lucky to be surfing it in August, when the air and water are both warm.

The first striking thing about Buseater is how you get on it. Kayakers have attached a long rope, about 100 yards upstream, with a water-skiing handle on the end of it. One person sits on the point of rock adjacent to the wave, retrieves the rope after each ride, and hands it to you in the eddy. To get out on the wave, you have to hold onto the rope with one hand (your paddle in the other) and jet out across 15 yards of intense current. A couple of bounces, and you’re on the wave.

The wave itself is something else. It is big, deep, fast, bouncy. Alex describes it with these six words: “gnarly, awesome, fast, bouncy, crazy, hungry.” We spent all day at the wave, pretty much pumping out our right arms (the one that holds onto the rope). One interesting thing about the wave is that people come from all over to surf it. At times, we had to wait in a line 12 people deep… though I wonder how many would be there if this wave was on the Ocoee! Other times, though, we had the wave to ourselves, and definitely got in a workout. In all, we each probably got 15 rides or so, and were completely wiped at the end of the day. Probably the best part of the rides were the incredible bounces… it made you feel like you were flying in your kayak. Look forward to posts of video and photos once we return to Idaho.
So, we headed to a local diner for some dinner, Canadian style. Both Alex and I tried the famous “poutine,” a mixture of gravy, cheese, and french fries. It is a heart attack on a plate, that’s for sure. But, delicious. Alex’s six words to describe it are: “heart-stopping, delicious, filling, moist, cheesy, and hearty.” I’m now hooked on the stuff, and may try to implement it in the Alzar School menu.

- Sean

Up to the Ottawa, again!

Hello all! Kristin and I are reporting from the fantastic Ottawa River, in Ontario/Quebec Canada. We drove up with our friend & co-worker Alex Garella. We busted out a quick 17 hour drive up from Charlotte, making a quick stop by the ASCI Whitewater park in Western Maryland. We had planned to paddle there, but the “river” shut off too early. We plan on hitting it up on our way south, though.

Anyway, the Ottawa is much higher than what we remember from two years ago. To give you a little perspective, the gauge in 2006 read something like -1 feet. Today it is at around 14 feet. We did a quick paddle this afternoon, finding many of the waves to have disappeared completely, others to have become big and bouncy. We searched for the infamous “Buseater” wave, but got lost and ended up playing at McCoy’s for a while.

We’ll definitely be posting more from this trip later this week, so keep tuned in.

- Sean

Camp Cup Challenge 2008 a HUGE success

Camp Cup Challenge 2008 was held on July 21st at the Nantahala River. This event, started back in the early 90’s, is a great way for young paddlers to get together and have a great day on the river. This year, we had over 85 participants from 9 different camps, which is pretty impressive considering that this was the first year in over five years that the Camp Cup has been held. Participants were able to compete in two events, either whitewater slalom or downriver, and had one run in the morning and another in the afternoon. The slalom course was held on the practice course (using the NOC wave), and the downriver race started at the big cement beach and ran through Nantahala Falls.

The event gathered support from local businesses and whitewater educators with both Endless Rivers and the Nantahala Outdoor Center helping to make the event a success. Local NBC affiliates attended the event and interviewed participants. Everyone left at the end of the day knowing a little more about whitewater slalom and having meet a ton of other kids their age interested in paddling.

The participating camps included: Camps Green Cove and Mondamin, Merri-Woode, High Rocks, Camp Carolina, Chosatonga, Kahdaela, Camp Illahee, and Wayfarer. The event was made possible by generous sponsors. Much thanks to the ACA Dixie Division who provided lunch for all participants and volunteers, Ovett Brother Adventure Gear who provided water, a dry bag for all participants, and tons of raffle gear. Endless River Adventures who provided raffle prizes and elite coaching. Keen Footwear, the Alzar School, and Wayne Dickert, Camp Green Cove, and Camp Merri-Woode all provided raffle prizes. A special thanks to Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Jacobi who provided coaching and support to the participants.

You can read other blog entries at Endless River Adventures site: http://www.endlessriveradventures.com/blog2/ and at Joe Jacobi’s: http://www.JoeJacobi.com