You ready CO boaters?!

**smolakian** · 04-28-2008, 09:08 AM

I didn't start Kayaking till July of last season. But, I managed to establish a bomber roll and gain some confidence on a few IIIs. So, I've never experienced spring as a Kayaker and I've gotta say: It makes the whole "all the snow is melting" thing a lot less depressing

.

Anyway, I kinda dropped out of TGR this winter...I've been crazy busy with work (and skiing too). So, when shit starts to pile up, internet time-wasting is the first casualty.

I just wanted to drop in on the Kayak board to stoke the fire a little bit and let you fellow Front-Range/Summit maggots know that I'm ready to get this thing started.

...I think we should get a big group together for an early-season easy run...especially 'cause I'm looking for more people to paddle with. My girl is gonna be out of town for the whole month of June So I'm gonna be looking to paddle every weekend and most evenings after work.

I still don't have the time to jump back into the TGR waters like a true internet fiend. But, I'll try to remember to sign in for PMs. But, e-mail always works...a!w!s!m!o$l$a!k!@$g$m!a$i$l (remove the !&$'s obviously)

**Yonder_River** · 04-28-2008, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by smolakian

My girl is gonna be out of town for the whole month of June So I'm gonna be looking to paddle every weekend and most evenings after work.

Month long hall passes are gold.

**summit** · 04-28-2008, 04:44 PM

Upper Blue 500cfs
Lower Blue 600cfs
Upper Colorado 1300cfs
Shoshone 2300cfs

I need to go work on my rolls!

**RootSkier** · 04-28-2008, 07:38 PM

Sweet. Now go buy a drysuit.

**summit** · 04-28-2008, 08:45 PM

I have a NRS breathable river drysuit... it's not made for kayaking... I am wondering how well it will work at keeping the water out of the cockpit since it is not designed to seal up to the skirk like Kayak specific drysuits.

Upper C temp guage shows the temps are anywhere from 40-48F. 40F is cold. 48F is much more tolerable.

**thredayevt** · 04-29-2008, 08:24 AM

It certainly won't be as dry as a setup with a double-tunnel. But, I don't think it's that big of a deal. You'll be dry, so whats it matter if there's a little water in your boat. You might have to pop your skirt more often to sponge out some water, but it shouldn't leak too bad. It'll be like summer boating when you only have a pfd and skirt on (it gets warm here).

I'd make sure that there aren't any big folds in the drysuit fabric that would allow water to flow in easily. And the less you flip, the drier you'll be!

**Foggy_Goggles** · 04-29-2008, 09:00 AM

Get out there nancies. I've already got 10+ days on the river. Stay in your boat and you won't get cold.

**cmsummit** · 04-29-2008, 09:27 AM

Not yet. My boats are still hanging up in the shed.

Hopefully go to the rec center on Sunday for the roll session and work out the cobwebs. Maybe a run down the Upper Blue this weekend too if the skiing is going to suck. Postholing to the put-in and from the take-out doesn't sound like fun though.

Thursday is supposed to be 30F and snowing.

**summit** · 04-29-2008, 10:05 AM

Let me know if you go to the roll session!

**cmsummit** · 04-29-2008, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Summit

Let me know if you go to the roll session!

Open pool for kayaks is on Sundays from 7:30-9:30pm at the Breck Rec Cntr. The cost is the normal daily admission (7 or 8 bucks I think). I'm 90% sure I'm going this Sunday. You should go.

**P_McPoser** · 04-30-2008, 07:10 PM

Maybe I'll be there too?

**P_McPoser** · 05-03-2008, 07:51 PM

cms--you going tomorrow still? I talked my parents into bringing my boat up so I have it now.

**Harry Tuttle** · 05-03-2008, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by Summit

I have a NRS breathable river drysuit... it's not made for kayaking... I am wondering how well it will work at keeping the water out of the cockpit since it is not designed to seal up to the skirk like Kayak specific drysuits.

Just put a lightweight paddle jacket (a shorty or sumpin) over the whole thing, skirt and all.

**P_McPoser** · 05-04-2008, 11:21 PM

FYI roll sessions at breck rec center are 630 to 830 despite what their website says ......grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Liberal Genius · 05-04-2008, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by P_McPoser

FYI roll sessions at breck rec center are 630 to 830 despite what their website says ......grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Life across the interwebz ain't the same as real life?

Man, this is like reading a book, and then seeing the movie, and it's totally different. Fuck that.

**P_McPoser** · 05-04-2008, 11:38 PM

I thought you were funny, but that was a weak effort.

**summit** · 05-05-2008, 12:26 AM

nothing feels good like getting your first roll attempt after not having done it for 9 months.

Originally Posted by Harry Tuttle

Just put a lightweight paddle jacket (a shorty or sumpin) over the whole thing, skirt and all.

good idea!

**smolakian** · 05-07-2008, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Summit

nothing feels good like getting your first roll attempt after not having done it for 9 months.

I hear ya. I went to the pool last night to make sure I still had it.

After an hour of trying I got my first offside roll ever. Only once...But man that shit is awkward even though my onside is bomber...I guess I have a very un-ambidextrous brain.

**Harv** · 05-08-2008, 11:22 AM

about 1200 on the Ark today. If any of you Summit County mags make it down this way send a PM. The parks in Salida and BV are prime at this level.

After an hour of trying I got my first offside roll ever. Only once...But man that shit is awkward even though my onside is bomber...I guess I have a very un-ambidextrous brain.

btw the offside roll is the most overrated skill in all of whitewater paddling. In 15 years of paddling I have used mine maybe twice. I would not worry about it too much.

**Foggy_Goggles** · 05-08-2008, 01:20 PM

Disagree on the offside bit. Having a roll on both sides allows you to start thinking of rolls as upside down paddling. Usually when you go over your are in the perfect position to roll either onside or off without setting up. Also, it allows you to roll with the current when you are stuck in a hole or playboating.

p.s. get on the river now or you'll be knocking off the rust during bit water.

**Harv** · 05-08-2008, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

Also, it allows you to roll with the current when you are stuck in a hole or playboating.
.

we could hijack this thread in a hurry arguing about offside rolls...you are right on this point only if you are in a side surf and don't back deck roll. If you back deck roll it does not matter which side you are on, you rotate your boat around as you are going over to come up with your "on" blade in the foam...

**smolakian** · 05-08-2008, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Harv

btw the offside roll is the most overrated skill in all of whitewater paddling. In 15 years of paddling I have used mine maybe twice. I would not worry about it too much.

I'm not. I just needed something to work on for the rest of the session after It only took 2 minutes to remember how easy (onside) rolling is. I would've worked on my hand roll but I didn't feel like embarrassing myself and wasting everyones time with T-rescues.

I'm gonna go practice those at the lake I think...

**kayaktheworld** · 05-08-2008, 03:17 PM

Harv, you're right, the offside is pretty overrated..... so long as it remains as an offside.

If you practice it to a point where it is just as comfortable as your original side, it is awesome. Being able to roll equally well on each side is an awesome skill.

**danadog** · 05-08-2008, 04:40 PM

My boat is almost ready but for some reason I don't think i will be doing any rolls on or off side as she is 14' and headed to the Yampa next Tuesday for 4 nights on the riv