Whatever keeps your boat up (or down).

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/7MLcjZksXt1WBvQQ/?mibextid=K35XfP

Link to Coloradan story about woman who died yesterday.

I’m pretty new to WW kayaking and have definitely been pushing my self past my limits, mainly due to the river I do being a class 3+/4.

Because of this I’ve had a couple of nasty swims and every time I hit the water I notice the same thing.

I can’t breathe, not because of the water hitting me but I go to inhale and it’s like nothing enters my lungs, by the time I get to the end of a rapid I’m usually exhausted from just trying to get air in.

Anyone know any way to prevent this, does it get easier with more time and experience?

Thanks :)

Me and 6 friends are planning a raft through a mellow section of a river near me in August. 3500 cfs, one class 3 rapid that can be avoided, 22 miles total, river side camping. I am wondering if an NRS 16’ will be sufficient for 7 men and gear. We would bring one bring big tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pads, a cooler for food, and some personal items and clothes at the minimum. If we have the space would love to have extras like camp chairs, hammocks, beer, extra changes of clothes and more to have a comfier trip. My question is is the raft size is enough to haul all that gear and where would we fall between the minimum and extras? Any extra tips in terms of preparedness and packing are appreciated.

I recently found these bright little pinkish red spots all over the inside of my IR dry suit, wondering if this has happened to anyone else before. Should I be worried?

We (eastbound Amtrak) were told, this afternoon by dispatch, to hold at Yarmony due to SAR activity on the river. We were released and on the lookout for a rafter/kayaker between Yarmony and Radium.

We didn't hear anything else.

Does anyone have any info?

Thanks

With Werner being sold to Jackson, I’m wondering what peoples favorite paddles are. I still fondly remember an old AT2 flexi and one of the earlier 7 Two paddles with the blue grips. Granted the 7 Two ended up leaking but the flex and rebound of the shaft and comfort of the grips made it a good downriver paddle. I’m currently paddling a Galasport manic ergo which is nice but super stiff. I also tried one of the hardcore paddles which was really nice and surprisingly powerful for the size blade.

I have a raft that is pretty well outfitted but I am still missing some things to really complete it. I prefer supporting small/local brands as opposed to places like NRS; does anyone have any recommendations on companies that make unique raft outfit gear? Thanks!

I’m a bigger guy, 6’1 280. I’m going to get an instructor tomorrow to try it for the first time. I’m afraid my weight will restrict me. I’m active though, ride dirt bikes, mountain bikes, snow ski, etc, just a bit out of shape. Any other people my size can give me an idea of how it will be?

Hey y’all! I second-hand purchased what I was told was a dry suit at the beginning of the spring season, but recently looked closely and realized I’ve been wearing only a semi-dry suit. Oh well it’s actually worked really well (I’ve used it about a dozen times).

My question here is concerned with swimming safety. I haven’t swam yet this season but regularly run class III-IV+ rivers (KNOCKS EXCESSIVELY ON WOOD). Is anyone aware of the danger poised by swimming chunky rapids with a semi-dry suit and how much more significant that is than a true dry suit?

New to buying white water gear. I'm 6'3" tall with a slight dad bod (sorry ladies I'm already taken). I've been getting myself geared up with a mixture of new and used gear and I'm learning some lessons. I generally wear Large (USA) size clothing. Before buying drysuit tops/pants I looked at NRS sizing and saw that for my height they recommended XXL. I've never worn any gear that size (except size 15 shoes... again ladies, already taken). I didn't believe the chart and bought a used XL NRS dry top and sure as shit it barely fits with just a t-shirt underneath. Damn. Go into a shop and try on pants... yup, XXL dry pants are my size. So other than my height I am a pretty average size guy (6'3" and 215lbs), I shouldn't need to be buying XXL gear.

So fast forward to the other day, buying some D-rings to glue to my raft and decided to add a NRS Sawtooth jacket to my order. Better go by the sizing chart, yup they recommend XXL again. Shows up today and fits like a freaking over size trash bag. So stupid. Tricked me.

My wife who wears small everything... try NRS dry stuff on and yeah, medium to large. So this begs the question (thanks for hanging in there), is this sizing normal for all brands with drysuits and tops/pants? Cheers!

I am 6’4 215 pounds. Will I fit into a jitsu 6.0? Any tall people out there paddle the jitsu? Any experience with the jitsu appreciated. Thanks!

I am 5'9, 150lbs looking for a full slice boat and found both of these in my area for around 300 bucks. Any advice on which would be better or other slice boats to look for?

Will it damage my boat to leave it on my roof for a day? I have to head from work to a paddle event and I want to go ahead and bring my boat with me to save time in the morning. If I leave my boat on my car for a day will it be okay or will the heat and sun warp it? I live in Tennessee if that helps!

Just a little personal project really for my kayaking blog. I'm curious to find out the reasons why people who don't try freestyle don't give it a go, or why they dislike it. So I set up a questionnaire, totally anonymous, so no personal details are given. This is for people who haven't tried freestyle but want to, or for those who don't like it and refuse to try it. If you already do any freestyle, this isn't for you. I know I'm risking a lot of silly answers, but if people could answer it honestly and seriously I'd much appreciate it. The link to the survey is here Freestyle kayaking participation survey

There hasn’t been much I can find online.

Is this kayak going to be bad in WW?

Hi Folks, I am looking for your perspective. I’m a women in my 40’s whom pulled my back randomly this afternoon and I’m worried it will force me to bail on a rafting trip Saturday. I have rafted 2 times before.
This will be in Maine on the Dead during a 4000 CFS release. It has class 3-4 rapids over 14 miles. I’m pretty excited about the trip but concerned about my back. I’m able to take it easy the next couple days and I expect I will feel much better after that. But I don’t want to be dumb or be a liability if my exertion is going to be limited.
Any advice? TIA

I’m 18 and have been paddling in various capacities since I was around 8 years old. One of the first things I did was rafting on the Nanty and ever since then I’ve been hooked on whitewater. However, I live in Nashville and the closest whitewater is a couple hours away on the Cumberland Plateau and the closest reliable whitewater is 3-4 hours away. Because of this (and the fact that I haven’t had much independence until the last year or two) I haven’t gotten to do much whitewater paddling over the years, typically only once a year. Even at that it’s been a couple seasons since I last went. Whitewater has always been something I’ve loved but because of the lack of being able to participate the desire to do it has greatly diminished this year. I guide at a local SUP outfitter here so weekends are out which is when any group trips I know of happen (my “weekend” is Tuesday and Wednesday). Nobody in my circle paddles. Does anybody know of any groups or opportunities on the Tennessee area that would work with this? Any other suggestions? To be clear I whitewater kayak and I’m not new to it, I just max out at about class III since I don’t have a whole lot of experience. I know the TSRA is a thing but all of their trips happen on weekends. I really need to paddle.

Update: Thanks to everybody who responded. I'm feeling excited about paddling again and am planning to start going on my "weekends." If anybody has anything to add, please do. I couldn't find anything readily accessible on the internet about this topic specifically so hopefully this can be a resource for others in the same boat, bad pun intended.

Hello all. In late july to early august I am going on a trip with my family. We are flying in to seattle, then driving to mt rainier, olympic, victoria bc, and back to seattle. Anyone know a good white water rafting place suitable for families (teens ages 14 and 16) but still thrilling near or on the way to these places?