Tag Archives: whitewater kayak

Whitewater is inherently risky, minimize risk with proper swiftwater rescue knowledge

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“Let’s all make it known that Maine boaters not only have the skills to send, but also the skills to save”

Whitewater kayaking is a lot of fun, sometimes too much fun, and sometimes we all get lost in the moment and forget the basics, the basics that keep us alive. We’re all guilty of it, we’ve all been there. You put on your favorite creek, your whole crew has run it multiple times and you get casual about setting safety. While this might work for your crew, and you might all have the swiftwater rescue knowledge to make quick life saving decisions, this is not a good example to be setting for younger generations. There are a lot of younger paddlers entering the sport and a lot of the videos on the web show only the good side of paddling. Often times to get that one shot of someone running a clean drop there were many shots of carnage that you don’t see. I’ve personally seen a lot of videos on the web lately the lack severely in proper safety setting and while often times things play out ok, there’s always a chance that your number might be up. And when it is, you need to be ready. Through Send It, Whitewater, we’re bringing professional swiftwater rescue clinics to Maine taught by paddlers that know and use swiftwater rescue knowledge on a regular basis. I would like to personally call on Maine guides and paddlers of all sorts to strive towards being safe and knowledgable whitewater enthusiasts. We live in one of the most whitewater rich areas in the world, let’s all make it known that Maine boaters not only have the skills to send, but also the skills to save.

The live bait rescue at the end of the video was performed by Send It, Whitewater Instructor Jeremy Cass just above the lip of Toaster Falls on the New Haven River during the New Haven Race.

Gulf Hagas, whitewater kayaking the “Grand Canyon of Maine”

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Paddling the West Branch of the Pleasant (Gulf Hagas) has been at the top of my list for some time now. Due to work on the river or other circumstances a trip over has never lined up for me. I finally had the opportunity when Miles Pulio called me up the other day and pretty much demanded that I join the crew. The weather was superb, the flow was right about 2″ (a good first timers flow) and we had a solid crew of 4 that made for a great day. Hagas truly is an amazing experience, almost indescribably so. We didn’t shoot any photos once we entered the gorge, with the exception of Buttermilk, as we were too focused on what was at hand. We did however get some awesome shots of Faceplant and Billings. I can’t wait to go back, and I will now be making sure as to never go another season without at least a few Hagas runs. It truly was one of the most amazing places I have ever been whitewater kayaking.

 

Early Season Whitewater Kayaking, North Anson Gorge

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These photos are actually about a week old now. Right before it really got warm last weekend and the creeks started to rise Mitch Noddin and myself were desperate for some whitewater kayaking. The only thing running in the area was the Carrabassett River. We headed to North Anson because the S-Turns section up by Sugarloaf was still too low. To our surprise North Anson actually had some pretty good whitewater in it. We were a little hesitant at first even though we had run it in the past, this section of river is all sharp blasted rock and nasty unnatural pour-overs created during the log drives. The water was also extremely cold. We decided to give’er after much route planning and discussion. When running something with just two people you are taking some pretty big risks and safety is limited. We had several game plans for any situation that could have come to be on the water but in reality we really needed to be on our A game and stay on our lines. We stopped strategically several times throughout the run in eddies to re-group and plan the next stretch. The pictures without a kayak in them don’t really do justice to how big and intimidating the water was. Definitely a fun run, also a bit terrifying. After running the North Anson Gorge we headed up to where the Katies Crotch Road crosses the river and ran the section under the bridge there too. That section is much tamer and less stressful, next time we’ll warm up there first. Whitewater kayaking is just too much fun…

For perspective, here’s a shot of Paul from several seasons ago just below the 3rd big island up from the bottom of photo 4 above

North Anson Gorge

North Anson Gorge

Smalls Falls! Whitewater Kayaking 2013 has begun

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Well, it’s safe to say it’s boating season. We paddled the last two days in a row, and I’d be out there again today if not for my schedule. It’s starting to get warmer and with good snowpack still in the mountains everything is about to pop. The Carrabassett River is at about 1′ for the S-Turns section, on the very low end of runnable, but it’s sure to come up this weekend with warm temps and rain. Sandy Stream is in, Smalls Falls is in, Madison is close and I’m sure there’s tons of other runs currently in around the state. Above are a few shots from Smalls Falls yesterday. We also hit the North Anson Gorge section of the Carrabassett two days ago and it was at a pretty full on level. It’ll get a little bit cleaner as water continues to rise. Get out there and SEND IT!

New Haven Whitewater Kayak Race, Bristol Vermont

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New Haven RaceWe’re getting a Maine crew together to head to the New Haven Race this weekend. This is a little late notice for most but we’ll be heading down tomorrow (Thursday) evening and spending the weekend. It’s looking like it’ll be around 70 degrees and sunny for some practice laps on Friday, race day is Saturday. If anyone is planning on heading that way and wants to car-pool give us a shout. We’re excited to check out another New England whitewater kayak race and for myself it will be my first time on the New Haven. More details in the “Maine Flows” group, just click the link at the top of this page. Send It.

 

Maine Whitewater Season Kick Off Party!

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Maine Whitewater Season Kick Off Party

Spring is just around the bend and we figured why not get everyone together for a run down the Kennebec to kick off the Maine whitewater season. We’re hoping rafters, body boarders, kayakers and anyone else will join us for an early season run on April 7th. We’ll be meeting at the put-in around 10. To prepare for the chilly day on the river we’ll be partying at The Marshalls in The Forks the night before, April 6th. Chris and Karen have graciously invited the Maine whitewater community and anyone else that would like to join us to come together for drinks, music and whitewater films. We’ll be playing a random assortment of whatever films people show up with all night. Bring some whitewater footage if you have any, also an instrument if you like to play music. There’s sure to be lots of jamming. The Marshalls has hotel rooms and so does the Inn next door. There might not be snow in the campground by then either. We hope to see everyone there! Jeremy and I will be giving away a free spot in one of our Swiftwater Rescue Clinics www.senditwhitewater.com

Maine Outdoor Film Festival Encore Screening!

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At 7pm tonight in the Unity College Performing Arts Center, Unity Maine, there will be a re-screening of the Maine Outdoor Film Festival. The first screening was hosted in the field at Three Rivers Whitewater in the Forks Maine this past summer. If you couldn’t make it come to Unity tonight and check out the films. Mainely Boating will be playing again on the big screen and you can check it out online here! See you tonight!

 

Huckfest 2013! Grand Falls of the Dead River, Maine

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In 2011 Chuck Mathieu came up with the idea for Huckfest. Taking advantage of scheduled releases, something Maine is privileged to have, Chuck threw himself a birthday party. In true Chuck fassion it involved the river and big sending. The stage was Grand Falls of the Dead River, roughly a 35-40 foot waterfall with spectacular views and ideal layout for the Huckfest.

The original Chuckfest was attended by 9 whitewater kayakers and a small crowd of spectators, mostly raft guides and local bartenders with the day off. As all good whitewater boaters in The Forks do, we gathered at the Marshalls the night before and talked lines over some refreshing beers and amazing food.

We put together a shoddy video of the first gathering and in 2012 tried to spread the word as best we could. The result was huge, with nearly 30 whitewater kayakers running the falls and a raft first descent. Not to mention the insane crowd of spectators that cheered everyone on.

In 2013 the shenanigans continue… This year the Huckfest is the day following the K-BOMB, a whitewater kayak race on the Kennebec River. There will be live music the night before at the K-BOMB after party and many a boater in town. Come join us for all the fun, you’re not going to want to miss this one.