How To Surf Garb Passably - Patrick Kyle

The first time you drop into Garb feels like you get hit by a bus - don't panic, everything will be OK, so long as you edge the right way and don't face plant the rapidly moving water. If this doesn't deter you follow the next couple of steps to place yourself at a confidence level where you can start to have fun and learn some moves:

1) Make sure you avoid the curler coming out of the eddy - the large bubbly, foaming line of "don't go overness." This will rocket you far to river right and you will miss the wave or catch an edge and capsize. Drop in further down to miss the curler.

2) Don't stop paddling, once you're out of the eddy and dropping down, keep paddling towards Moby Dick and the full impact shouldn't overwhelm you. Keep your bow pointing right and lift up your left edge. Now you are off to the side comfortably skipping along the rail.

3) Wait until the top of the foam pile is to your left and carve on top of it - you may flush, but if you don't to begin with, you aren't trying hard enough.

4) Now you are sitting at the top of the foam pile, high up and in the perfect position to zoom down the wave. Lean forwards and your boat will drop down the foam pile and hit the green water. You will probably bounce, maybe get a little air depending, but make sure the face forward the whole time and you should be fine.

5) Point back to Moby Dick and surf out to the right of the foam pile and drop back. Follow steps 3 and 4 again. Repeat until confident on positioning on this wave.

All is set - if you follow these 5 simple steps, you should easily be able to attempt some epic tricks without being frustrated about the set up... enjoy.

My First Experience With Boater X By Kyle Cahn

Most of the time when I’m kayaking I’m on the river with less than 5 people. But today I was pushed down the Lorne rapid with 10 other people. This is how it went. We all lined up facing the shore, Clay tried to throw us off by counting farther than 3.  “1  2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9, go!”  There was a wave of commotion and I was out of there. I was racing down the river, Patrick got caught on a rock and all of the sudden I was in the lead. We had to go and touch Tyler’s boat which was on the Moby Dick rock then ferry across the river and touch the far side. I was coming towards the boof rock I lined up my stroke and executed. I landed and looked to my right to see everyone else getting sucked to the wrong side of Moby Dick rock. I turned around to see Owen right on my tale. I turned on the jets to get to Tyler’s boat. I was dogging people left and right who were trying to get back to Tyler’s boat. I stuck my bow into the current and started to ferry across. I give it everything I have left to not flip in the waves I took one last big stroke that sends me straight to the wall. I slam the wall with my paddle to see Owen pulling up right behind me. I won my first boater X ever. Here are the 3 things I learned from that race.  First avoid the big crowds at all costs. Second keep your head up at all times to avoid other kayakers. And third clean lines are fast lines.