How can you tell if a spot is too dangerous?

Gnarly Dancer 42 · 360 flip Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 5121 City: kalamazoo

I'm not sure if I've made this topic already before, but anyways...

Does anyone know how to tell if the current is too gnarly at a spot?

I've driven past this so many times and I've wondered if it was possible, but I don't want to kill myself by getting sucked underneath the water and not be able to swim back up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epPHhHtrtzc

There was this other really cool spot we drove to last summer but we decided not to even try it because the river was so wide and the water was moving so fast.

wakemitch · Posted: Mar 26, 2013 11:22 pm Post subject:

I think you've just got to go with your gut.

I wouldn't hit it personally, but I'm also not a big risk taker.

Obscura · Faceplant Joined: 19 Dec 2009 Posts: 37

Try getting a river description from kayakers. Websites like playak.com are a great research tool for investigating spots. If they talk about strong hydraulics in the landing (they call the bottom the landing too) stay away. Hydraulics are the swirling water that suck you under. I tend to stay away from spots with reports of kayakers getting sucked in. A CGA vest is never a bad idea at a new spot either.

-Aaron

WERDna · Backside 180 Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Posts: 541

tad · 360 flip Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 5031

That spot looks 10 times better to just go up it. No rapids or undertow up there. Wink

johnnyk · Posted: Mar 31, 2013 4:42 pm Post subject:

Gnarly Dancer 42, B-Sweet!!

I knew the spot before I even saw the video.

I've been scoping that spot out for years, but since I'm only in town during the winter season, I've never seen it on a calm summer day.

If you want to make a dual effort at it this summer, let me know!

johnnyk · Posted: Mar 31, 2013 5:14 pm Post subject:

Harmless

-=AlexXx=- · Posted: Mar 31, 2013 8:43 pm Post subject:

am i blind? i dont see what there is to even hit? are u gunna just ride down it? or up it? dont see much of a "gap".... personally i wouldnt hit it... looks very gnarly and not much reward on landing much.

GOLD!en · Backside 180 Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 505 City: Edwards

It could be a massive ollie if you were hauling balls Birthday

johnnyk · Posted: Apr 01, 2013 11:59 am Post subject:

Obscura, or anyone else....

Other than hydraulics reports, is there any other way that you test undertow on spots? maybe throwing something in there? I've had my winch for two years but still haven't hit a drop with it. The only local spot that I have to hit looks perfect, but sometimes looks like theres some mega undertow on it.

here's a picture of the spot when it's really calm.

-=AlexXx=- · Posted: Apr 01, 2013 5:38 pm Post subject:

johnnyk, omg hit taht hard man... are u kidding thats perfect!

WERDna · Backside 180 Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Posts: 541

johnnyk, Yea there's no question with that drop. You definitely need to be hitting that.

daniel · Back Big Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 3669 City: Duncan

Gnarly Dancer 42 · 360 flip Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 5121 City: kalamazoo

johnnyk, i don't know i feel a little too sketchy about it to hit it. that picture is crazy though, i've always wanted to do a long exposure during the daytime

-=AlexXx=-, i was thinking you could try to do 3 different tricks in a row maybe?

LATX · Pop Shuvit Joined: 16 Aug 2012 Posts: 197 City: Austin

I think you'd be going to quick to hit all three of those humps. Maybe just the last one? That spot is pretty gnarly looking.

johnnyk, Please shred that!

koozballs · Posted: Apr 02, 2013 3:13 pm Post subject:

@gnarly dancer 42

abd