This weekend held a lot of great opportunity for whitewater in the southeast. You could have hit the Green River Narrows race on Saturday or run the Cheoah or Tallulah. You also might have driven down through that little play area around the NOC to witness the destruction/reconstruction of the NOC wave. To turn the corner just above big wesser and see the articulated arms of 2 excavators kicked off a very weird feeling. Knowing
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| Photo Credit: Guy Thorsby |
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| Photo Credit: Guy Thorsby |
that I was about to witness something that would create a void but immediately fill it with anticipation and trust that this will be for the best. It was so odd to stand there and witness it in action. Sad that no longer would I be able to walk along the ledge of the retaining wall and shuffle my way down to the eddy pool to sit and put my fins on. This place has provided so many fun rides its hard to believe its not going to be the same anymore. I had to keep telling myself that what they were doing down there was for the good and that we will see a great improvement to this wonderful standing wave. The wave shaping system that is being installed will definitely put an end to the influence of numerous locals, guides and instructors. In the past anyone could put their "flare" on the wave by adjusting the dam that pooled and diverted the stream by simply adding, replacing or shifting stones to shape the rails and trough of the wave. I can only hope that this mechanical manipulation proves as consistent as its predecessor. I am excited that they have the opportunity to raise the face height which could give paddlers a chance to practice big water moves. Increasing the face could equal a dream wave for boarders. One remarkable thing about this wave was the escalator of an eddy that was created by a burly boulder that split the right side of the river. We can only hope this is preserved somehow. I guess kayakers won't miss having to portage by dragging themselves up the rockslide on rope or traverse the upper stream if they missed the exit into the eddy.
And on that note all we can do now is wait and see what is in store for us in December.
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| Photo Credit: Guy Thorsby |
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