How to make a groover for your kayak (self support).

What is a groover?

A groover is an enclosed tube that you can make to put your poop in while on multiday river trips.  Most of the time these types are used by kayakers as they are smaller and more compact.  You can build your groover to fit whatever kayak you want to use it with.  Be sure to read river regulations, some have certain size requirements based on the number of days your trip is.  So read up on that section before building your groover if you already have a certain river in mind.  I use Wag Bags inside mine so I can reuse it for multiple trips.  You just through the bags out at the end and you have a clean tube (aside any random disasters).

What do I need?

PARTS:

TOP: 3" PVC pipe cut to fit your kayak (you can use larger piping and the white kind instead, just match up your types and sizes so things work together)

For this trip I made a 16.5 inch groover tube for a Pyranha Machno Small.  This will fit directly behind my seat.

You will need a hack saw or PVC saw.

L >R: 3" ABS female adapter, 3" ABS clean out plug, clamp, 3"ABS cap hub

You will also need cement glue.

Glue to the bottom of the cap to get the edges well!  Press end of tube into cap firmly.

Don't glue the threads!  Press onto opposite end of tube firmly. Let dry!

Groover cap with removable handle.

And you've built a groover!  

Here's some groover confessions for you from the Grand Canyon.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtHc_X_1IPY

Class 2 Runs Great for Beginners

I've been asked by a lot of folks if "there's any good class 2 in Washington".  For some reason this question always surprises me, because there are lots of quality class 2 runs in the state! 

I created a list to share with people looking for a compilation of class 2 runs in the Seattle area.  I'm sure there's some great stuff on the OP and other parts of Washington I'm not as familiar with, so this list is NOT complete. Please feel free to message me with any ideas.

For more complete lists of rivers and gauges in Washington state check out:

American Whitewater:  https://www.americanwhitewater.org/

Professor Paddle (rivers tab):  http://professorpaddle.com/


Snoqualmie River 

1. Powerhouse (2/3*)

One of the best spots in the area to take beginners.  It's short, the shuttle is super short, and you can see Snoqualmie Falls in the background.  This can be run at a variety of levels to get your stoke on.  This run is also in year round.

*The first rapid above the put in is class 3 (above the powerhouse building), you have to ferry across the river to river left and attain or hike up to get the the class 3 rapid.  

http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=595

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2216/

2. Upper Middle Fork (2)

This section is beautiful and has some really fun rapids.  The scenery is probably my favorite part. The road is also paved so it makes the shuttle much easier on the car.  This run is best around 1500 cfs and above.  Below 1500 cfs the run can be really rocky and easy to discourage new paddlers.

*Some folks also like to add on the section from Concrete Bridge to the Mine Creek take out (Middle Middle put in) in addition to the Upper if they'd like to try some harder rapids without committing to the full Middle Middle run.  I'd consider these additional rapids class 3.  

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2219/

http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=598

3. Club Stretch (2)

A great go to. There's a couple different take outs so you can shorten or lengthen the run.  Views of Mt. Si are awesome on this run.

http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=600

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2221/

4.  South Fork (2+)

This is a super fun section of river.  The "gorge" section has the most stacked section of rapids.  This can be run at a variety of levels.  You can also hike upstream from the put in a little ways if you want to add a couple rapids to your day.  This run has a tendency to collect wood often, so always be on the lookout.  This run is a step up for folks new to class 2.

http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=604

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2224/

Green River 

1. Headworks (2+/3*)

A fantastic little run above the gorge.  Mostly class 2+ with one class 3 known as the Weir.  At the end you can add on the first couple of ledge drops of the main Green gorge if you want to spice it up.  

*The Weir is class 3 and is very similar to an overhead dam if not run down the middle.  You can scout it from a trail on river left just above the drop to pick your best line.

http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=447

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/3114/


2.  Yo Yo (2)

A very short class 2 section with a few small surf waves.  A great spot for a new kayaker.  The run starts off pretty chill, offering up a great environment for working on peel outs, eddy catching and ferries.  There's a great big eddy towards the top on river left that's great for working on skills.  One you get to the white bridge just past the airfield, the class 2 rapids start.  Take out at Whitney Bridge park.

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2124/

http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=4560

Cedar River 

Slalom Course (2+)

If you really want to work on your kayaking skills, the Cedar River Slalom section is for you.  This section is short and walkable so you can do laps all day long.  There are also slalom gates at this location.

Check out the upcoming local slalom events with The League of Northwest Whitewater Racers at http://www.nwwhitewater.org/ .  This is a fun and inclusive group!  You can improve your skills on whitewater immensely by honing them in at this little course.  Go check it out!  Or better yet, come do a race!  There's always a hard shell category you can race in with your whitewater kayak.

http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=376

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2078/

Cle Elum River (2)

This is a fantastic section of whitewater on the Eastern side of Washington.  The Cle Elum is super fun with some great rapids and a little surf mixed in!  This run has lots of wood, as always keep an eye out. There's a slalom race here every May on the Salmon La Sac section at the top and I highly recommend checking it out. There's also a really nice campground here if you have the whole weekend to enjoy outside. 

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2094/

http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=396

Sauk River

Bedal Campground to Whitechuck (2/3)

http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=568

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2198/

***Will update later or put on class 3 blog***

Lower Sauk (2) (Clear Creek to Darrington)

http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=570

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2199/

(You can put in at Clear Creek or at Bachman Park)

There's a couple really good boulder gardens right off the bat if you put in at Clear Creek, these are great for working on catching eddies.  If you have a very new paddler, Bachman Park is a better put in.  There's fun current to work with, eddies to catch, and general fun to be had.


Skykomish River 

South Fork Skykomish (2) (Beckler River to Money Creek/Baring Bridge)

One of my most favorite class 2 runs in the state because of its beauty!  Lots of fun class 2 rapids, fantastic scenery, and a really fun wave train at Money Creek!  This run can get long for beginners or if it's a really cold day.  You can take out below Money Creek if you want to shorten the run.  Be sure you know where your take outs are, there are some waterfalls downstream of this section.

http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=591

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2213/ 

North Fork Stillaguamish

Hazel to Whitman Bridge (2)

http://www.professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=624

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/2237/news

This is a great class 2 run.  Access is roadside at Hazel and the take out at Whitman bridge is easy.  Pretty chill run with fun currents.  There's some great small surfs and boofs to be had if you are looking.  Great run for newer paddler's looking to work on boat control and get time on the river.  I'm sure the scenery is pretty good when it's clear.  You also pass through the Oso Landslide area, so geologically speaking a very interesting thing to see from river level.

Wenatchee River

Icicle Bridge to Enchantment or Waterfront Park or Leavenworth Public Boat Launch (2)

Lots of learning options and sections available here.  You can put in at Icicle bridge and have some good currents and eddies to work with.  The run is pretty chill, but gives beginners a chance to get some first time kayaking adventures under their belt. You'll also see lots of people swimming along the banks and tubing the river along your adventure.  You can take out on river LEFT at Enchantment park beach or continue on and take out on river RIGHT at the Leavenworth Public Boat launch.  The boat launch is also a great place to put in for an attainment work out.  I've paddled from there up past Icicle Creek and up to the golf course and paddled back down. Blackbird Island is also a fun side adventure you can paddle through, just be cautious of wood and swimmers.  You can also continue on and take out a little farther downstream at Waterfront Park.  There's a great curve in the river here that has the biggest rapid on this section. There's a big eddy that's great for working on eddy catching, ferries, s turns, and t rescues.  Take out BEFORE the bridge on river LEFT.  If you continue on you'll end up paddling Boulder Bend which is a longer class 3 rapid. Tubers are NOT recommended to continue past this point.

Cashmere to Columbia River (2)(Cashmere to Wenatchee)

Put in at Cashmere park and float your way down to the Columbia.  There's splashy waves and eddy lines for beginners to get their skills down.  Avoid the fish ladder on river LEFT that's clearly marked with large signs.  The paddle at the end of this run can get long for beginners, keep this in mind when choosing where to take out and if it's windy.

Upper Wenatchee (2) Lake Wenatchee State Park (alt. put ins available) to Tumwater Campground

http://professorpaddle.com/rivers/riverdetails.asp?riverid=667

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2265/

**Will update later as I've never run this.  19 miles long, but there are alternative put ins.  I've heard it's really really pretty and great for beginners!!!**

White Salmon

Lower White Salmon (2/3*) (Rattlesnake Ledge to Northwestern Lake Park)

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/3064/

(there's no information listed on the run outside of Rattlesnake Ledge at the start)

This is a beautiful and fun section of whitewater for beginners to hone their skills on.  This run is really fun class 2 with some great skills areas and fun boulder gardens.  Cave Wave offers up some awesome surf and there's several surf spots throughout this stretch.  The take out rapid has a nice splashy wave train drop to finish off the day.  There's a secondary beach shortly after the bridge take out on river RIGHT if somebody doesn't make the eddy.  This is the last take out before you're committed to the Lower Lower section (which is also beautiful!).  The water on the White Salmon is always VERY cold, even on 100 degree days, so dress accordingly.

*Rattlesnake ledge is an option class 3 drop that can be run or put in below.  There's a good recovery area after Rattlesnake if there's a swimmer.  

*Whitewater kayaking can be dangerous.   Please educate yourselves on the river, levels, and difficulty prior to getting on any whitewater river run.  Always wear your helmet and PFD.  Remember to always have fun on the river and be sure to look around at the beauty that surrounds us.*

Collection of helpful kayaking roll videos when you are starting out!

Helpful Roll Technique Videos:

I typically teach the sweep roll.

I was shown the video below in Idaho when I was a super new kayaker.  I started getting my combat rolls shortly after doing these exercises!  This is a great dry land exercise if you can't get to the river or if you're having trouble pulling down on your paddle blade when trying to roll.

http://www.creativepursuits.net/kayaking.htm

I like the edit below because of its underwater footage and clear instructions.  It doesn't matter if you're in a sea kayak or whitewater kayak, you would still implement the sweep roll the same way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLxxI4GDE80

Most people seem to think they need a roll before getting out on the river, but that's not true!  The T-Rescue is an awesome rescue technique that helps keep you in your boat even if you can't roll while you're crushing those class 2's.  The T-Rescue also helps to teach you to be calm underwater while doing a series of steps (flip, tuck, move hands slowly, hip snap). Being able to stay calm  underwater while trying to pull off a roll is really important.  T-Rescues can be used in any class of whitewater.

After several years of teaching, I've realized the T-Rescue is a very simple tool that's underused on the river.  I often see paddlers try a roll or two and then wet exit without any attempts to T-Rescue.  The T-Rescue helps you stay in your boat.  Remember when kayaking with newer paddlers to keep your groups tight and stay close to paddlers that are a bit more tipsy.  If somebody flips, race towards them even if they have a great roll, you never know when someone might swim.  The T-Rescue can be just as exciting as a getting a roll and will stoke your confidence! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69I4nOp_klc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiBd2RnXu7g

I really how this video has real river examples of paddlers using their roll.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwpjBQLF7J4


Seth Ashworth has come out with a great YouTube channel with all sorts of fun kayaking topics.  This one is about how to gain confidence in your roll.  There are some excellent and fun to practice tips in here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ccNnPmdC0Q&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR25FCcqGRDgUmuDl2kfL3QCtQwjuDDvD6MN-qi1ZkaNfvAbwdPZh0bT8OY


The roll is something we all need to practice, just like our kayaking skills!  Whenever I go kayaking I do a roll at the put in.  This helps me feel confident about my roll and also softens up my gear and makes it more comfortable to paddle while I'm warming up.  If it's starting to get cold out or the rivers are getting too high, I hit up my local pool session to get some practice in.  The lakes in the summer are another great option.  Pool sessions are fun and a great way to meet more kayakers.

Remember rolling isn't a failure!  You stayed in your kayak!  You rolled your kayak in a rapid!  You stayed calm, cool, and collected.  You should be stoked.

We are all between swims.  And don't forget to do your booty beers (rootbeers).  Cheers!

Still Kayaking.....ALOT!

Hey everyone!  I'm bringing my blog back.  It's fun to do and fun to follow up on past and recent adventures.  So here it goes.  Check out my vimeo link at the bottom for some Hell's Canyon footage.

Last time I was headed to the Snake River in 2014......

The trip was a success, but didn't go as well as I planned.  The night before we took off a few people popped their sleeping pads on goat heads.  My gear planning was spot on for self supporting.   I'd gotten pretty darn good at packing the Stomper 80 (I've since sold her).  Hell's Canyon is an intimidating place to put eyes on the first time.  The mountains are grey and ominous.  The dam is huge.  The river is in a canyon and the water is so loud even though the first rapid is pretty far down stream and only class 2.  Only class 2, I'm thinking, why the heck does it sound so loud from here?

Hell's Canyon provided warmer than I'm used to water and big fluffy rapids.  There's also the challenge of motorized boats.  Most motorized boats slowed down as they passed us, but a few did not, so you have to watch out for yourself out there!  We saw a ranch crew taking horses upstream one day, that was a first!

Here's one of the campsites......everything as really dry, but still very beautiful.  One challenge was finding water.  Always fill up when you can!  There are several streams that pour into the Snake that have cold water you can filter.

Still smiling after a couple swims and a portage.  Next time I come back here, I'm going to run everything.  I also learned that skirting big water rapids doesn't do much to make things easier, running the meat of the wave trains is definitely the way to go.  Though they may look more intimidating the lines are so much cleaner than dealing with the boils and uncertain eddy lines of the Snake's fluffy rapids.

The crew, putting on for our final day.

Here's a link to some Hell's Canyon action!  Enjoy!!

https://vimeo.com/111948760

https://vimeo.com/111956918

What to wear?!?!

I'm getting super stoked for the SNAKE!  Hell's Canyon is gonna be a great time.  BUT, what should I wear?!

Washington's rivers are quite cold, typically by the end of the summer they aren't too bad to swim in, but still quite chilly.  My past experiences paddling in Idaho is that the water can be really warm or really cold, it depends on the source of the river.  The Snake is dam released, so I'm estimating temps will be warmer.  I checked out the forecast and it's clear skies, high 80's and possibly 90's!  This is dry top weather, but I'm going to wear my drysuit with light layers underneath.  That way I won't have wear wet gear daily.  I'm throwing in a swimsuit too, first time doing that!  

Typically for multi day trips I wear the same thing two days at a time.  If my under layers get wet I sleep in my dry stuff and hang up the wet stuff.  Then I wear the wet stuff on the river the next day.  I will warm up on the river and it's nice to have something dry to wear when you take off the river, especially if it's cold out.  I've been told you can dry your clothes by sleeping in them, but that depends on how wet they are!

I practiced packing my kayak again today with all my gear and food that I will take.  The only thing I didn't do was put on my drysuit....   This time I was able to pack everything in more easily and use my Watershed bags!  I secured my groover into the front foam pillar with gorilla tape and that works great!  It's accessible and not in the way now.  Doing this also opened up a lot of space in my kayak, which is awesome!

Snake Prep 2014

To start my blog off here's a little girl power for you!  This lady go getter paddler kayaked the entirety of the Stikine and was the first female to paddle the complete run (including Site Zed which is a massively powerful rapid).  I think she even boated it twice!  YES!  Kayaking is a male dominated sport, so it's awesome to see these ladies keep up with the boys and do it well!

http://www.canoekayak.com/videos/first-woman/

SNAKE RIVER 2014

I'm getting prepped to hit Hell's Canyon on the Snake River this month.  The plan is to self support kayak 32 miles from Hell's Canyon Damn to Pittsburgh Landing over the course of 4 days.

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/633/

So far I have self supported the Rogue River in Oregon twice.  The Snake will be a new river for me, the river travels through Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.  I'm excited to self support again, this is my favorite type of whitewater kayaking.  

The most challenging part of the trip is packing ALL your camping gear, clothes, food, and typical safety gear into your kayak.  I have minimized what I wear on the river, but I don't underestimate how crappy and cold the weather can get out there.  I also have at least an extra day or two of food on me just in case.   I bring a tent because I won't sleep as well thinking snakes and spiders could be crawling on me as I sleep. Plus a tent or tarp can be an awesome shelter if it's raining and there are minimal trees.  I like to take pictures and video along the way, so I bring a small power stick with me to re-up my GoPro at least once.  I bring an extra waterproof SD card with me too.  My camera battery lasts for several days if I'm not taking too much video on it and temps aren't too cold.  I am taking my Stomper 80 again this year.  I'd love to get a boat for self supporting, but I just don't have one yet.  Keep in mind you need several dry bags and the dry sacks work well inside dry bags to keep things extra dry (clothing, food).

For my meals I plan easy.  I take a water filter and one water bottle.  It's nice to bring along a collapsable water bottle too, then you don't have to pump water as much when you are in camp and you can stash it flattened easily in your boat.  I bring a small thermos to put tea or hot coffee in for the morning and on the river.  This comes in really handy when it's cold!  All the meals I make require water to be boiled or no prep at all.  Couscous (add seasoning, powdered milk, freeze dried veggies), a couple of bagels, jerky, instant coffee, tea bags, tuna in foil, granola/protein bars, instant oatmeal with freeze dried fruits, apples hold up ok and so do oranges.  I've been experimenting with pre made meals too.  They are OK, but I find the portions too big for one meal.  One day I'm going to get a dehydrator and my my own awesome camp meals.

Planning for the trip:

-Always make sure to confirm put in and take out.  Organize shuttle accordingly.  This trip we are paying for a shuttle to avoid a 5-6 hour trip the opposite way we came.  I found shuttle drivers online really easily for the Snake and shuttle drivers have worked out awesome on the Rogue.

-Know your run.  I bought a waterproof map to take along and have also read it several times over to get to know the Snake before we go.  This trip has some old farms and petroglyphs along the way.  Plan the number of days you want to go for, estimate camp sites, and always plan for the unexpected and bring a little bit more food.    

-Always let someone back home know your plan and when you are going to contact them next.  

-A break down paddle is always a good idea, first aid kit, and of course your typical paddling gear and rope.
-Check to see if you need any type of permits or other requirements like a groover.  This trip is post permit season, but requires at least an Idaho Invasive Species sticker (7$).

http://kayakcamping.amongstit.com/2010/03/25/the-groover-aka-personal-human-waste-management-system/  

This website can help you make a groover for a kayak.  This article features a large groover.  I made a smaller one for shorter trips that fits behind my seat.  Don't forget your Wag Bags so you can reuse your groover!

As always there's more to learn about self supporting.  I am still having issues fitting my new dry bags into the back of my Stomper.  Perhaps I'll just use my less dry bags and make sure what needs to STAY dry is double dry bagged.  I'll post a blog about the trip after it's completed!

Websites and Sweet Videos

Just wanted to hook up some links to my favorite whitewater paddling  web sites, articles, and videos.

I met most of the people I paddle with here in Washington through a forum called Professor Paddle.  I learned about this site from an old guy in Boise, Idaho on the banks of the Boise River.  He was so excited to talk to some kayakers and I was a newbie moving to Washington.  He had lived there prior to Boise and was very excited about my upcoming paddling opportunities.  It was really neat to meet someone so excited about his kayaking past!

These two sites are the ones I use most for networking, river information, and checking levels.

http://www.professorpaddle.com  (Best Washington WW forum)

http://www.americanwhitewater.org  (Best general information US wide)

A local PNW boater (I think) has set up a sweet texting system to find out the most up to date levels.  Dial 41411 and type in "Level Skykomish"....there with be a responsive text asking which fork.  Text back and get the info you desire, including how fast the river is rising or dropping.  You can also select up to three "Level favs" to get quick up to date information on your top three favs! I use this a lot.

Below are some of my favorite kayaking videos available online.  There are always new ones, so I'll have to update this! 

https://vimeo.com/94027221  This is Ben Marr's Dream video.  It's so weird I love it.  It features people hucking off Husum Falls in the dark with their boats all lit up.  So much fun!

https://vimeo.com/51459856  This is just a kick ass video and gives me goosebumps.

https://vimeo.com/51459856 I was introduced to this beautiful piece after coming back from a trip to Peru and Bolivia.  They are so right about the bugs in Central and South America, but seriously they are spot on about paddling and what's so amazing about it.

https://vimeo.com/83941645  This one is a nail biter with Evan Garcia taking a big waterfall with a not so awesome outcome.

https://vimeo.com/80897373  This flick is a sick trailer edit featuring paddling in Canada.

https://vimeo.com/100434412  This video features a bit of history about the NF Payette in Idaho.  The best kayakers around come to the NF Championship to compete on these gnarly rapids.  2014 marks the first year a female paddler competed. Way to represent the ladies Katrina Van Wijk!

https://vimeo.com/72991727  Lady boater, Kim Beckler, will fill you in on boofs and show you some sick moves in her video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3Nt1JC_-gc  This video features Sam Grafton boating the local gnar that is Tumwater Canyon.  Really neat footage including some drone footage and a HUGE LOG!  Sam's skills are pretty amazing!
  

Hope you enjoyed these videos as much as I do.  

I've a got a few of my own on Vimeo too.  http://vimeo.com/user7509574  Check out some of my videos!


Anybody got some sick mountain biking videos to share?  Let me know...