This year the river has rose numerous times. The Saluda River can bring the best playspots in middle South Carolina. The river level can change very drastically in a matter of hours. The saluda river is a Dam released river. SCE&G control the river level through out the year. Usually in Early January and Late September the river level comes up due to the lowering of the lake. The river level can fluxuate anywhere between 400 and 21,000 cfs. On the saluda there is always something to do. Whether it be playing in the pureover hole popup or in the loop hole popup, it all depends on the water level.
The main attraction is Millsrace. It is home to numerous playspots, such as Blastomatic, Cookie monster, Dumbass hole, Chicken wing, and many more. All of these playspots change as the river changes levels and become very dangerous at a certain level or become very friendly at other levels.
One of the Favorite playspots is Popup hole. The hole is there from 400 cfs to about 5,000 cfs when if becomes a wave and then washes out around 5,500 cfs. This past weekend the river god blessed us with 4,100 cfs. My friends and I as well as many other local paddlers joined in on the high water level.
The high water helps many kayakers learn how to react to higher risk situations while whitewater kayaking. It also give many of us to work on our skills as kayakers.
Spencer Cook, Yonton Mehler, and Alan Young were out there this weekend throwing lots of split ends and cartwheels.
I, myself, was putting down some ends and got a few split ends, but with more practice Ill get better. Picture by Spencer Cook.
All four of us were throwing loops all weekend long.
Alan Young looping big in Popup hole. Picture by Spencer Cook.
Alan, after mastering the loop, made up his own trick, The Magic Trick. To do a Magic Trick you have to be able to loop. You start off like a loop and put you bow in to the hole and as you reach your maximum hight you throw your paddle in the the oncoming water. Then you finish off the loop with no paddle. After you land the loop you reach beside you and pick up the paddle and keep going. Alan doing his Magic Trick. Photo by Spencer Cook.
Yonton Mehler tries a Macic trick. Photo by Spencer Cook.
Me also trying the Magic Trick. It didnt turn out so pretty thought.
Alan was also throwing Space Godzillas out there like crazy.
Spencer was out there tearing it up, throwing Mcnasty after mcnasty in his Riot Flair.
Alan Young also got his first Mcnasty out there on Sunday.
All that really matters is that we all had a good time while we were doing waht we loved.... and looked really cool while doing it.
Alan
Yonton
Alan
Thats all I have for you for now... Oh yea and be safe out there.... you can get hurt.
-Andy
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