Pine Creek Boater X

photo: Chris Menges

So above you will notice the fine picture of the Pine Creek Rapid during the boater X during Fibark 2006. This years race was a big sucess, showcasing lots of great paddlers going head-2-head in the biggest, rowdiest rapid on the Ark River. Sampson's crew took many a practice run to prepare for this race. Variable water levels during practice proved that:

1) You can "eat the meat" above 2000 cfs, busting through the center of the hole. this is called the bitc#slap...

2) If you surf the hole below 2000 cfs, and its easier to get out in a playboat.

3) "Throwing Down" is a proven method of escaping the hole (aka: Moonpie...because its sweet, white, and can make you puke)

It was amazing to see world class paddlers like Jason Beaks, Jon Myers, and Jules Campbell battling it out for first place in a head to head race (see photo). I had my first Pine Creek race this year...made it past the hole and got beat down when I lost my paddle at the takeout...and proceeded to swim about 1/2 mile of class IV (not recommended after Pine Creek Race.) .....

I'm going to paddle the topo-duo tomorrow on class II.....

via con rios,

Sampson