Progression

I have seen many articles for very well known paddlers about how the sport has changed. That we progress so fast and sometimes this gets us in trouble. Well, I am one of these paddles that has progressed fast, so I would like to tell my story. I started kayaking when I was 20, on the Ocoee. A group of four, including myself had a gig as raft guides, none of us knew how to roll. We started putting in below Grumpies and going down with no roll. We soon got the team name Team No Roll, and as a mascot nothing suited us better then the Turtle. For the first few months of kayaking we all had to look after each other, because none of us knew how to roll. Almost every time going through Slice and Dice at least two out of four would swim. We all became very good at self rescuing all of our own gear since you could not rely on your other teammates to help you, since most of the time they were out of their boats also. For tthose few months of kayaking we never lost any of our gear, no one ever got seriously injured. We were learning to read water, stay away from holes, when to take paddle strokes so we would not flip over, we where becoming kayakers.
      Since we did work at a company that offered kayaking instruction, one of the kayaking instructors finally offered to teach us how to roll. Since we had been already paddling and had some skills to navigate the river, it did not take us long to get a roll. Once Team No Roll learned how to roll, we went from almost every trip having at least one swimmer to now, only swimming every few trips down the river. Also since we all knew how to roll we started to put in at Grumpies. We paddled the Ocoee every day that summer. During the winter time it was time for some creeking we got on creeks such as Tellico, Richland, Settingdown Creek, and Sweetwater. We did not have much gear so taking a swim during the winter was very dangerous, and non forgiving. I think we all had a Farmer Johns wetsuit, splash top, and as much warm clothes that we owned on. When swims did happen we would get right back on the water after dumping out the boat and continue on.
 With the itch we all came back to the same rafting outpost the next year doing the same thing, but this time learning more. We all started to learn how to playboat, and learn the harder moves on the Ocoee. Once again, almost everyday during the summer we were on the water. When summer was over it was time to step it up again. Half the team we to the Gauley, since I was in school I could not make it up there. But, I did make it to the Russell Fork. When I told people that I was going to the Russell Fork, everyone told me not to go. "You will kill yourself out there." Well, with help from Farber, Hatter, and Mark Miller I did not kill myself out there. I had found my calling, I wanted to be on the water everyday I possibly could. The following weekend I was back up at the Russell Fork. By this time I had finally got a used dry top, that was more like a semi-dry top. I was still wearing lots of layers, and a farmer johns wetsuit under it all. It was hear where I really learned about the importance of having good gear. One memory I have is the second weekend, on Sunday, at the Russell Fork. I took all my gear down from the clothes line, and it was all frozen solid. I had to hold it next to the fire, and when I put it on I ran around the parking long about three or four times to warm up.
My third year of kayaking I got on some great runs, Green River Narrows, Bear, Ravens Fork. Now I am 24 years old and I feel like a confident paddler, sure I still make mistakes. But, I have paddled some very challenging whitewater. At the beginning of this year I put together a list of 50 person new runs I wanted to get on this year. Also keeping up with how many first runs I have done this year.
        Personal This Year

1.       Miller Creek

2.       Jones Creek

3.       Goforth Creek

4.       Dinkey Creek

5.       Fantasy Falls

6.       North Trinity

7.       Upper Nantahala

8.       Scotts River

9.       Kidder Creek

10.   Lavezolla Creek

11.   Pauley Creek

12.   North Fork Yuba Wild Plum

13.   South Fork Trinity

14.   Valley Falls

15.   Stinging Fork

16.   Youghiogheny

These are in no order, but another thing I can add to this list in I raced and finished the Green Race this year. What really helped to get many of these was my trip out to California.

I am not saying that a fast progression is for everyone, but with modern boats and gear these days it is easy for the progression of creeking to be much faster. We should not be teaching people that it is not okay to progress this fast, we should be helping them with their progression in the sport of kayaking. This is a very dangerous, but rewarding sport and should be looked at this way. We should be teaching other boaters it is okay to try and step up your game, if you feel okay with river then try it. If you get on it and your nerves get the best of your then walk off. We should not make fun of someone who walks off the river, show initiative and walk with them.  Kayaking is not for everyone, and their are stupid people in every sport, every job, everywhere. Some people can not judge their own skills, and need someone or some action to put them back into their place. By no means am I trying to brag about myself, I have walked many rapids, and will continue to walk many rapids. If I can't see the line I will not run it, even if I have seen someone else run the rapid clean. I have had my share of beat downs, but I pick myself back up with help from others and get back to what I love.

 

Daniel Rucker

 

Dickey Creek

After a great first week of warming up in California, I got a call from Darin Mcquid. He said he was going to head down to Dickey Creek for 5 days, and to do 2 laps on it. All Winter long I did not have cable, my roommate had bought all the LVM series. So I had seen many shots of this creek. So to refresh it in my mind I looked it up on both Darin's website, www.Kayakphoto.com and on Daniel's website, www.Awetstate.com. Darin came in picked me up at Daniel's house, because he had to also pick up a boat for Lars. Then we were on our way to Dickey Creek. This trip can be done in one day, but is mostly done in two days. After running shuttle we all met up at the put-in, Darin Mcquid, Lars Lammler, Clay Wright, Stephen Wright, Laura Farrell, and Joe Ravenna. The hike in took us about 2 hours, and is straight down hill. We took a few breaks on the hike in, to look at some beautiful overlooks.

Unrunnable section of Dickey Creek

After the exhausting hike in we finally came to the river. We put on and right away it was game on with the first slide.

Bryon Dorr at the first rapid

Lars running the left line

Soon after we were at Willie Kerns, this is one of the biggest rapids on the river. It starts with a 15 footer that lands on rock, but the reconnect is bad. Then straight into a almost vertical 40 footer that you want to run far right in between the rooster tails. This rapid is very intimidating from the top where you scout it. After Willie you have a perfect 20 footers that is run on the left side, and a mandatory portaged right below it.

Stephen Wright styling the 20 footer

Clay Wright

Soon you will come to the biggest Mandatory Portage that is portaged on the left. This next one can be very sketchy, you have to drop your boat down about 20 feet to someone on the rock below. Then climb down the slippery rock without slipping and sliding into the water. Then have someone hold your boat and seal lunch 15+ feet in the water. Then the last person has to throw their boat and jump into the water. There is a short pool before the next rapid. On the second trip we did a huge seal launch on river right side. Be careful on this side there is a huge kicker that will send you flying. It free falls for about 30 feet and if you boof it out you might break your back. But, run cleanly it is a lot easier and faster.

Lars lowing boats down to Darin

Darin holding the boat for Rok

You can see the portage in the background
Andrew running the rapid after the portage.

After this rapid the next big one is called Spike. At higher level this rapid looks a lot better then at the second days, lower level.

Stephen Charging into Spike with the Zen

 From Spike you can see the first camping spot. But, the first day we were here, there was a group camping there, so we decided we should keep going down to another spot. We ran a few more slides and were at the camping spot.

Rok chilling by the campfire

The first mile is the steepest mile, and at about mile marker 1.5. We woke up and the action began right away, with more class V rapids for breakfast.

Darin running Anaconda

Darin running a 20+ footer near the bottom.

After we got done with the run, we found a place to camp out and took the next day to recover. We did a little bit of paddling from the takeout of Dickey to the camp site which had a few class IV's. After a day off we got back up and did it all over again. Dickey Creek has some of the best whitewater in the world, and is one of my favorite runs. It is pool drop, with very big drops, the first mile drops the most gradient, but does not let up until you are done. This is one creek that when you get off you are okay with not running another rapid. If you are in California and you have not done Dickey you should try to get on it. If you are going to California Dickey should be very high on your To-Do list.

Charger
Turtle
Daniel Rucker

First Week in Cali

I had never been to California, this year I got a chance to travel. Working nights at the Amazon Warehouse, and the good rain year, gave me the chance to boat almost 4 times a week all winter long. I figured that my skills had been fined tuned and that I would be alright for a couple week trip to California. Daniel Brasuell had been telling me to come out, and that the season would match up perfect with my schedule. I called up some family that I have that lives in California, and found out it would be okay if I stayed with them for the time I was in. They gave me their address, and it just happen to be about a mile away from where Daniel lives. As the time came near I began to get very excited, eager, and nervous about what I was getting myself into. But, things were looking up and it was to late to back out. The first week here I spend some time with the family, and got some good class IV-V boating in. My first run was a North Fork of the Yuba/Wild Plum, this is not a classic in Cali. But, it was really fun it is nine miles long on continuous class IV with a few V's split up in the miles. The next day we went back up to the Yuba for some more kayaking getting on Pauley Creek, and Lavezolla Creek. Pauley is a class IV run with some big drops and beautiful gorges.

Pauley Creek

Pauley Creek

After Pauley, we headed to Lavezolla, this was also another fun class IV creek with one V near the end Crack. This was another good creek with lots of boogie and Crack was a great boof. All three of these are beautiful runs with great rapids. If you are out in California and not ready to run class V, such as Royal Gorge, or the other huge stuff out here there is plenty to choose from for a class IV boater wanting to step it up a little.

Running the bottom drop of Crack

Wednesday came and Daniel told me that he was going up north to the Trinity area to do some runs that he had never been on. Since, he had never been on them I knew that they had to be some runs that not too many people had been on. We left Thursday for the East Fork of the Trinity. This was a very fun river and is about 8 miles long. It is very continuous with lots of class IV, shuttle is on a long dirt road, but lucky Daniel's dad said he would run our shuttle. With shuttle out of the way we did all eight miles only getting out once to scout. There were many long rapids with multiple moves. We stayed the night at Daniel's parents house, and left in the morning for the North Fork of the Trinity. This is one of the runs that Daniel had never been on, when everyone arrived at the put-in we had a large group of 9. This run is 14 miles long and we had got a late start which made a few of us nervous. It was also my birthday, which made it even better. I took a birthday beat down and swim in a hole, but recovered everything at the pool at the bottom.  We did get off the water with light left and enough time for a few of us to do a booty beer.

Paying up, Photo by Ben York.

 We went back to Daniel's parents house cleaned up and left to go to one of Daniel's friends house that lived down the street. Some hot tub relax time, and a birthday candle in a Snickers, I was ready for the next day of paddling. The next morning we were up and moving, Darin had told Daniel that he should try Kidder Creek. On the drive there I read up on it, 1 1/2 mile hike in, good class IV-V. We made it and lucky us the gate was open, so no hiking our boats. Diane drove the car to the take-out, and hiked back up to the put-in. This run starts with a couple long rapids, and very tight slots.We had a little low water, but it still make it fun.

 Kidder is a short run, but it is very fun has some little gorges and the scenery is spectacular. After Kidder Creek, Daniel had one more day off we headed off to Scotts River. Scotts River is 14 miles long and has a Gauley feeling, without the big drops. It is big water boulder gardens. We arrived and did not have shuttle so once again Diane said she would do shuttle. So she drove to the bottom, and rode her bike back to the put-in. It was a great week with great friends.

Daniel waiting for Diane

California has been great so far. With a few more weekends left I am excited what is next.

Keep Charging
     Turtle
Daniel Rucker

Richland Creek

When I first started kayaking, the first creek I ever got on was Richland Creek, in Dayton TN. Eric Davidson a local to this creek, who had also been teaching me how to kayak, showed me down. This creek has always had a big place in my heart for many reasons. One of my favorite things about this run is the hike in, might call me crazy. But, it is a very short 1/2 mile and easy because you are not gaining too much elevation.When I first started kayaking  Richland, we would put-in at Paddle Orgy, which is under the top two rapids.


Dave, and Jack Hiking on a icy day

If you drive to this area from Chattanooga, it is worth doing more than one lap. I try to do at least three laps every time I am here. What is also nice about Richland is that it will run at very low levels. Also, for beginner creekers low levels are perfect. It took me a few years before I started running the top rapids but, they are well worth it. I do not hike all the way up to the dam but, put in at the first class IV-V rapid, Rattlesnake. You start on the far right side, drive to the left, and then back to the center making an S Turn. Then you drop the final drop at the bottom, and depending on the level it changes in height. But, there is always a big hole at the bottom, with an undercut rock on river right. You want to run this drop right down the center with a good boof stoke getting over the hole.


Jack running the bottom drop of Rattlesnake.

After Rattlesnake you will want to exit the pool to the right. There are a few good slot drops ranging from 4-8 feet that are somewhat narrow. After these drops you will come to the next class V drop. You should know where they are, and should have already scouted them while hiking up. You can run two sides of this, the right side is called Screaming Left Turn. Running Screaming Left Turn you will run the two lead in drops then get to the river right. Then cut back hard to the left side for the main drop. You want to make this turn very wide, and there is a rock in the middle that will mess you up. If you try to take the turn sharp you will fall off early off the right side in a little crack on to rock.

Jack styling the main drop of Screaming Left Turn.

Phil styling the first slot

At higher water you can run the right side of Screaming Left Turn it’s a great boof. Do not get pushed left into the sieve. My favorite line on this rapid is the far left line, Left Down Hut. This rapids starts with a great double drop, sticky hole at the bottom of the last drop, and a big undercut in-between the first drop and 2nd drop on river left. Then a little pool into three very tight slots. This is a very technical move and is a class V-V+.


Phil running the top double drop.

Phil stern squiting the 2nd slot



Phil Nailed the line in the final third slot.

 After these you have a rapid called Paddle Orgy, this rapid can be run both on the left and right side. The right side is a very tight slot, which you will need to lean to the right side, and get your paddle parallel to your boat or it will go flying. The left line is a great boof, but needs more water. Then you have a lot of read and run boggy, some good class III-IV rapids. Then you come to the last major rapid near the end of the run, Weirdo. Weirdo can be run far left, which is a big fun easy side. If you flip at the bottom just hold on it’s a big pool at the bottom. If you run the right side it is a lot harder. It is a double drop with two big holes, and an undercut rock on the right side.

George Running the left side of Weirdo

Jack running the right side of Weirdo

 There are a few more drops afterwards, but soon you will be at the parking lot. Taking a short break and then hiking back up to run it again. The gate closes at dark so be careful, to get out before dark. I have been locked in a few times, and they are in no hurry to come unlock the gate.


Have fun and Charge,
Turtle
Daniel Rucker

Rock Creek, GA

Rock Creek is outside of Chattanooga, TN just past the state line inside Georgia. This is a beautiful place and is unlike a lot of runs in the Chattanooga area. I had the pleasure of living 5 miles from the take out, and with the amount of rain that we got this winter, I got to paddle this class V creek at least 15 times. What is so wonderful about this creek is that it runs very low, and also very high. At the take out there is a bridge with the gage. I got on it as low as 4 inches, and as high as three feet.

Gage Photo by Daniel Brasuell

 One special thing about this run is that it is on a Lake Lulu Land Trust and they allow us to use their land. You always need to ask permission to get on this run, after a quick phone call 95% of the time it is okay. DO NOT PARK OUTSIDE THE GATE, NEXT TO THE ROAD. Always call and Noel will meet you at the put-in with a key to let you inside. Park the car and it is a short hike to put-in. You will walk around a 30 foot waterfall that is not to be run, especially at low water! Then put-in at the base of a 100 foot waterfall.

Photo by Daniel Brasuell

Right after you put-in the action starts with a little class IV boogie, then the first big rapid and one of the best, Boof, Boof, Slide. This Rapids starts out with a boof that you want to run far right next to the rock pointed right. Then catch the eddy and line up for the next boof, which is one of the best boofs in the Southeast. This next Boof you will also run far right get a little bit of rock but not too much. Then right after if the water is high it will throw you into the next part of the rapid, Slide. The slide is very fun but it has a very undercut rock on river left side be sure to drive right.

Entering the First Boof

Phil boofing the Second Boof

Jack running the slide

After Boof, Boof, Slide you have some more boogie before you come to the next class V rapid. This rapid is portaged by most and only has been run a hand full of times. There is a big boulder the splits the flow which creates two different lines, one at lower water you can go far right, at high water you can go far left. This rapid is portaged on river left.

Phil running the left line, Phil's Ass Crack.

After, you portage you will want to ferry across the river and scout/portaged the next rapid. The next rapid is the most run of all the portages on the run. It is a little slot; you start left and drive right. At lower flows there is a log in the slot that may become very dangerous. If you choose to walk this rapid, then you will want to start portaging on river right. Once on river right if you portaged this rapid you will portage the next two. The next rapid is one of the biggest rapids on the run and you will want a very healthy flow to run it. It starts out with a 8 foot slide into a big hole. You will want to drive right surfing this hole could mean the end of your paddling career. After punching the hole it wants you put you into a eddy, which you do not want to catch, instead keep your momentum up and drive as far out and to the right on the rock as you can. Not driving far enough right could also end your paddling career. This rapid has broken a back, so be careful, but when run clean it is really fun.

Sam England Firing it up on a healthy water day.

After this rapid if you run it you will want to eddy out on the right side and portage the next rapid. I have heard this rapid has been run, I would guess far left with a really had reconnect. But, I have never seen it run, and the walk is not too difficult. Lower your boat and then seal launch in. You will have some more good class IV boogie then come to the next big rapid, Insurance Bluff. You will know when you see a massive horizon line. You will want to get far left and not try to run the lead-in for this rapid. There is a massive sieve on river right, that you and your boat might not fit through, and if you do at 30+ feet drop that who knows what it lands on. Just get far left and wheel chair over some rocks for one of the best slides around. The slide will put you into the right wall if you are angled right, but it is okay try to stay up because immediately you will be running the couple of drops without catching a eddy. But, they are read and run with a pool at the bottom to catch you breathe and watch others come through.

George running the Insurance Bluff.

After Insurance Bluff, you will have alot more boogie then come to a rapid that I have named the Piton Rapid. This rapid is a 15 foot slide and if you are not angled hard left you will piton hard. It has also broke boats when people angle the wrong way and boof ontop of the rock. This rapid is noticeable because most of the water is going left in an unrunnable channel, you will want to run the middle channel which at low water you might have to wheel chair over the lip making this move more difficult. At higher water you can just charge left with no worries. A little more boogie then you come the next class IV-V rapid. Many of the rapids on this creek to not have names, I call this one Go Left or Die, it is nothing like the Go Left on the Green River. This one you start right and drive left towards the rock at the entrance the water wants to push you back to the right, but do not let it. Then get a huge boof at the end. If you go right it lands on a rock and could pin you. This has dished out many hard landings, broken boats, and swims if you go too far right.


Daniel B. at Go Left or Die

The next rapid after this one is Turtle class IV-V, this is everyone's favorite; start center with a sweet boof don't get pushed right into the undercut. Work back left, the water wants to push you right, under the log for another sweet boof. Then the river makes a 90 degree right turn you can hug the left rock for a sweet boof, or hug the right rock for a sweet rock slide boof.


Daniel Brasuell at Turtle.

After Turtle you have some more boogie, and then The Slot rapid will sneak up on you. This rapid is a Class IV, make sure you get that paddle to the side or the rocks will catch it and keep it. If you flip it is very shallow, but a big pool at the bottom. After this rapid there is a little hike that you can do up to a very old abandoned house. If you are with someone that knows the run, they will take you up there if they have time. But, this might be on private property, so be careful, and don't litter.

This is what it is about, finding little secrets on and off the river. Taking a little break from the world.

Enoying the view of the mountains, you can see the creek not a very far hike.

After the hike you have a very shallow paddle out depending on the level. But, atleast the water is moving


Keep Charging, Turtle
Daniel Rucker