In this episode of video review Zach and Aaron review Tony Jaegel’s video from Green Wall Rapid on the Illinois River. You can see his original video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLjdgYhfSrk.
Video Rating: / 5
In this episode of video review Zach and Aaron review Tony Jaegel’s video from Green Wall Rapid on the Illinois River. You can see his original video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLjdgYhfSrk.
Video Rating: / 5
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Is Will rowing an Adventurer here? 14 footer?
Nice stretch of river. The Avon boater missed the line starting well above upriver's entry. Some of that appears to be working the oars too fast/hard as the gradient begins to drop into the rapid; just before it gets a bit more technical concerning more precise maneuvers. A clean entry line while conserving energy would be providing big payoffs in efficiency, timing, and avoidance. Good points: The line Zach addresses by using the reversals behind the aerated boulders to traverse the slide moving right… as well as Aaron's comment on just prior to sliding right letting the bow (if need be) square up a bit more of the rock river left, and committed to correct defensive ferry angle for a potential strategic bounce is key. It's the character of rapid for setting up ferry angles and pulling on the oars. The classic 'don't sweat the small stuff', yet boating more on defense with angles, setting up early on, advantageous river features, etc. Regarding 'heavy boat ' it would be the playmaker. I see a couple potential issues regarding Avon boater's oars: They are at a very steep angle for entry sometimes well over his head. When they try to grab more water they are already late sweeping behind him. This makes for looking like a rower working too hard… however, it is a higher strokes per second scenario vs. (a better in this case) low repetition cycle with oars in the water increasing torque leverage with timing. Looking at the Blue rafter… his angle is effective, but so is the proper torque at the oars as he slides right. His oars are nearly 90 degrees to the boat on the pull, and his pull (with hands) is nearly on same level plane inline as shoulders. Even torque vs. repetition gives him that hold to keep angle then release timing. High repetition and poor ergos can gas a rower sometimes much faster than slower more powerful strokes. When the high repetition cycle is not quite working well enough… Avon boater abandons sticking with optimal ferry angles, selecting tracking (not quite the ideal strategy on a pull at the oars sequenced series of maneuvers for this rapid). Continuously he loses real estate on the boat hull, as well as river features, and works harder. I more or less am thinking the Avon boater is quite experience and familiar with the run, but the boat itself is not all that optimally outfitted to fit him very well.
Great video You guys keep mentioning bounding the bow off of rocks witch makes sense in a round boat. is there an effective technique to achieve a similar outcome in a cat boat?
I ran the hole my first time in a round boat..lots of fun… I was up front wearing a gopro
If I owned a guide company I also would take the conservative side of runs just like you Zach. However, when I'm the only one in the boat, it's right down the gut! I chuckle when I see videos with the title something like "Running Crystal" or some big named rapid and then video shows them skirting around the main hole. That, in my book, isn't running the rapid. I should preface my statement with the fact that I run a 18' cat so…. I may not have the nerve to run a big rapid in a 12' cat. I mean just not being stupid, is a part of your "skill level". Just saying I'm in Aarons camp on the right run!!
Thanks Zach and Aaron!