After the first week of Spring-like weather we decided to head up to the Clackamas River to hold a playboating clinic. Frank, Maggie, and Cailin joined LCPC instructors Tim and Logan for a day of playboating. The clack was flowing at a healthy 2700 cfs, which meant that the Joe Bob's was in, and the waves of the lower run were pumping. We suited up and warmed up in the eddy at Bob's.
Maggie and Cailin gearing up at Bob's
Timmy demonstrating something of potential relevance at the put-in
Joe Bob's was at a perfect level with a smooth face and soft pile. We worked on catching the wave and beginning to control the carve once on the face. Frank got a few sweet rides, controlling his carve and ripping the face of the wave. The session culminated with Cailin catching a huge 10 second ride on his first wave ever in a kayak! Not too bad at all. We then began to head downstream to an eddy to work on squirts and edging in the current.
Tim working the eddyline as everyone looks on
Frank getting the squirt
Tim giving a tip on the stern squirt technique
Maggie playing in the eddyline
Maggie demonstrating a controlled peelout in the current
We played a bit longer and then heading downstream. The run was smooth, with everyone following Tim through the crux class 3 rapid in style. While surfing more waves on the lower run, Cailin nailed his first two combat rolls! It was a breakthrough day for all. All in all, in the great words of the combat-rollin' champ, "we enjoyed the sh@%! out of it!"
It looks like Spring is here, and paddling season is back in the Northwest.