4/24-4/25

4/24 Chattooga 3.5

1.46 on bridge gauge and rising with heavy rain fall

70 deg. Put on at noon.

Mike, Kimberly S.

Three of us put on and paddled down to Woodall. It was cloudy when we put on but it was nice. we started down river and before we got to Bull Sluice it was raining and occasionally thundering. We all had good runs through bull and after we got to Surfer's rapid it was lightning! we got of f and sat for a while talking and watching the lightning. Then it moved off and we got back under way and made it safely to Woodall. This was my first thunderstorm. Kimberly had a swim at Screaming Left. All good though!

4/25 Nantahala

Full release and run off total 1010cfs

73 deg. Put on at noon.

Melissa, Daniel, Kaitlyn, Kimberly, Rick

We had a great run down the Nantahala! I was really enjoying the pushy water and having a great time trying to get into these weird eddies. I was practicing to get up to speed for the Ocoee, but by the end of the day I had changed my mind on the Ocoee next week. It will have to wait till the fall. I decided really early in the day to run the falls and run the boof line. I ferried across the main flow from truck stop to billboard. Then I peeled out into the current and shot hard for the left bank. I was right on course and then boofed hard. I landed right in the eddy! I was totally stoked! It was flawless. I landed right where I wanted! I went to peel out and go on down river then found out the I was peeling out into the back wash from the falls! I got turned completely down river and was paddling hard but was not going anywhere but towards the center of the river. I realized I was going to be sucked in backwards, so I turned around quick and went in to the falls bow first. I decided to surf the falls to the center where I thought would be my best bet at getting loose. I got to the center of the river and reached out to get some green water and I could not get to it. The hole at the bottom of the falls began to turn me to the right and then I was side surfing. Staying upright became full concern and I rode it out for about 10 seconds. the hole let loose and I was leaned too far down river and rolled in. I felt it suck me back in and thrash me then flush me out. I set up and tried to roll but it was weak from the exhausting surf session and I swam out of the boat. I self rescued myself and all gear. Great time though! I think I figured out how to get loose from that side, so I can't wait to get up there and try it again!