From Tville to the Ottawa by Evan Kindseth

The Ottawa River has a lot of big water. This water is especially huge when compared to the small Connecticut jewel, Tariffville Gorge. Most of my time kayaking in the last year has been spent in Tville on the Farmington River. I have spent much time practicing at the main hole and on the many other small features on the river. The waves and holes on the Ottawa are very different then they are on my hometown river. Surfing Phil’s, Big Smoothie, and especially Minibus are very different then anything in Tville. Getting on Minibus my first time my first thought was “oh my gosh.” But this quickly subsided to excitement and a large dose of adrenaline. Moving from practicing on relatively small water and moving to big water is surprisingly easy. All the skills are transferable the difference is mostly mental. No matter the size of the water the moves you use to move you boat remain the same.