Spring Training tour

One nice thing about living in Pennsylvania is that it's possible to paddle pretty much all winter. Well, kind of, sort of nice. Let me give you an example:



This is Beartrap on the Susquehanna in February. It's a pretty good hole. Notice that it's not frozen. Also notice the look of pain on my face. That's because the water is so cold it hurts. I could throw about three tricks in a ride before my brain went numb, and only really play for about an hour at a time. Here's another example:



This one is Accelerator. It was windy that day (50mph gusts!). Having really good drywear is important under these conditions. Having a really really good drydeck under these conditions makes it almost fun. But it still gets old after a few months.

So when March rolled around, I decided to pack up the truck and head south in search of warmer water. It just so happened that the rain cooperated with me, slamming most of the east coast. With lots of options, I decided to head for Fayetteville. Target #1, Mann's creek.

Suiting up for Mann's Creek "at your own risk"

Mannly boogie water below the put in.

The New was running 50,000 cfs, which means the Dries were going off. We decided that since my girlfriend was running shuttle for us, the quickest way from where Manns drops into the New (at the New River Gorge put-in) back to Fayetteville was to run down the Gorge. It was quite a transition from the steeps of Manns to the big water of the New at 50,000 but it was faster than driving back! Then on to the Dries.


Big Bounce!

Jeremy with an Airscrew

Jeremy doing a Blunt


Shane Groves blunting. (Kate Belanger Photos)

Here's some video from the Dries too!

The great thing about Fayetteville is that there's always somthing running. The day after the Dries dropped out (and it snowed) the wave at Surprise came in for two days.


Heading over to Surprise (Byran Kirk Photo)



Blunting on Surprise (Byran Kirk Photos)

After a few more days playing other spots on the New, it was time to head south- swing through Asheville to pick up some boats and jump on the Green, then over to Rock Island- where it had once again been raining, where I got on the Caney Fork and Suck Creek and spent a few days surfing in Rock Island.




I also took advantage of the warm weather and warm water to get in my squirtboat for the first time in a few months- and to try out my new Peak squirt dry deck. I know you're thinking it's all hype and I'm supposed to say this kind of thing, but this drydeck truly, truly rocks. I'm used to getting a good bit of water in the boat and having to get out and dump pretty often, but this thing is so dry I didn't have to think about the water in the boat at all. Anyway, here's a little squirt video.


After more than two weeks on the road, it was time to head back north. Arriving back in PA, the flowers were blooming, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the water had warmed up to non-numbing temperatures.