You're saying the AWA rated this run a Class IV?

Other than the Manitoba play spots (Sturgeon and Whitemud Falls) I'm pretty much a midwest boater--which can still be technical, but is just about NEVER big water.

I consider myself to be pretty a class III kind of guy atthis point. I've done a bit of IV, but not enough to talk shit about.

Oh yeah, FYI Sturgeon Falls is where two lakes come together and there is about two hundred yards of giant friendly waves, five to twelve feet high, very stable, no keeper hydraulics, no pin hazards--just fast surfing and huge wave moves.

Whitemud is a flow through channel from a dam, it's basically 50,000-80,000 cubic feeet per second moving at fifteen mph slamming in to a lake. No pin hazards, but GIGANTIC waves, again, five-fifteen high and 80-150 feet wide. YOu can practically get a chorus line going on those features.

I've done most of my boating in Germany/Austria as well as WA/ID/MT. Got into a particularly hairy situation once on Lochsa Falls (IV) back in 1996, but I made it out alright.

But I've never really thought my life was in jeopardy. Once I gave in to reality and swam out I've been pushed out.

I did get my clock utterly cleaned at a friggin' manmade course in Wausau WI once. Who puts a submerged rock in the MIDDLE OF THE CHANNEL in a MANMADE park?

Answer: EJ. I think they needed to do it to keep a playspot from becoming a death hole, but I still was lollygagging my roll and wasn't tucked all that tight and BOOM right in the forehead.

It got comical after that. :blush:

Completely destroyed my elbow in 1993 smashing it on a rock after window shading.

Split open my forehead a couple times.

Here I am in 1995 on the Salmon (III to IV-) near Riggins, ID. This was our backyard when I was going to school at WSU.



The boat is a Savage Scorpion. I loved that boat.

Where is that?

And did you post this for little ol' me?

And, of course I did. I think you and I are the only paddlers in this joint.

I thinkhe's mostly a sea kayaker, but has mentioned having an RPM and doing some whitewater.

In fairness to DU, paddlers are a fairly rare commodity!

I did class v's with family as soon as I weighed enough to stay in the boat.
I'm a river rat.

I only get to sea kayak around here.

for me and my wife. I particularly like the Greenland-styled kayaks.

I have a Wilderness Systems 180 pro



My whitewater buddies thought I had gone over to the dark side. Until I explained to them it was those times when the rivers are dried up and I'm still fat.

I also met my girlfriend in a sea kayak. She recently piped me and took up with on eof my whitewater buddies--how's that for fair?

If I would've known then what I know now, I would've let him teach her how to roll, ferry, peel out and eddy turn. C'est la vie.

no thanks. I'll stick to my 4's with a few 5's thrown in for fun.

What the hell is the AWA and what the hell is a Class IV? Some of us aren't hip to the lingo. Nice pics though

And Class IV is a medium-hard river on the Class I to VI scale. Class I being flat, Class VI being almost certainly fatal.

on a scale of I-V (occasionally VI)

VI pretty much means certain death. Class IV, mistakes will hurt but you probably won't die. Those falls look like about a class XVIII to me!

Your soul gets caught in a pourover and stays there for eternity.

Class I - These rapids are small and have slightly fast moving water. There are hardly any dangerous spots and those that are dangerous are easily spotted and avoidable. The risk to swimmers is small and can be corrected by self rescue. In other words there is nothing to worry about in a class I rapid.

Class II - With some basic training, the obstacles in this class are easily maneuvered around or avoided. The swifter currents of water, channels, and rapids are easily noticed with some forward scouting. Swimmers will probably not get hurt in these rapids. It rarely occurs that someone may need outside assistance to rescue themselves

Class III - Accomplished whitewater skills and/or training are needed for these rapids. Constant changing rapids, harsh currents, large obstacle, and tight channels are prevalent. Larger rapids and currents can be seen, but not always avoided. Risk to swimmers is still minimal and can be rescued by group or individually.


Class IV - These large and predictable currents require very strong boating skills. Some large waves, holes, and currents may be unavoidable. Quick thinking and fast skills are a must. Depending on water conditions, the risk to swimmers can be high.

Class V - Expert only. These rapids put the boater into extreme danger. Large holes, rocks, waves, and currents are violent and all have an added danger. Rapids are longer and much more intense. Swimming is dangerous and not recommended.

Class VI - These rapids are unpredictable and may never have been run before. These rapids should only be run by professionals in perfect conditions

Or do they only tell those if you're on a river south of the Mason-Dixon line.

the jokes are ok, but the anal rape is not funny.

(hearing the damned jokes)