NF American Shirttail (II~II+) with my son

Me: "Kenya, when will you start paddling this year?"
Kenya: "Uuum, end of April" Me: "Whey you start so late? Why not March?" K: "I don't like cold air, cold water." Me:"......"
These were our conversation on some day of this year, but I could take him out for paddling as early as March this year. Kenya hesitated to paddle in March, but my wife pushed his back for paddling. Weather was great on March 14 and flow at NF American river was 950 cfs, perfect flow to warm up his paddling skill for this year. He ran this run two years ago, but used IK. This was first paddle in Shirttail run with hardshell boat for Kenya. Like previously, we joined Kevin Bran's trip. Kevin, thanks for letting us join.

Put in. Water was so pretty, but cold.


We were so big group of more than 10 people. While waiting others's start, Kenya spent time for playing surfin.


At the same spot, but shot him from different position. Good Surfin, Kenya!


Everyone ready to go. Nice weather. Beautiful day!!


At the different surfin spot. He flop once here, but did not mind eskimo roll in spite of the cold water.


Next 6 photos are serial.












Shooting Kenya in rapids on my boat. I use Olympus waterproof digital camera (795 SW) and often shoot Kenya from my moving boat in rapids, but in most cases focus was good.




This is the last one rapid, at mile ~4. Next final rapid has a big hole, but he stayed away from the line going into the hole.

Kenya's paddling in the Gorge run (III-III+)

For my son Kenya who hurdled Eskimo roll, the next challenge was class III run. For us, it was the Gorge run of SF American river (III~III+, ~9 miles). Some more detail informations are available at BRTinsights and cacreeks, in the latter of which the put in for the Gorge run is Mile 11.6 at Greenwood creek.

The begining a few miles are class II section. Here is our favorite lunch spot. Kenya enjoyed jumping in the water.


View of the jumping rock from the front. He also went into the water on the boat from the highest spot of the rock.


Satan's cesspool at mile 5 is the hardest rapid of this run. Next three photos at Satan's Cesspool were purchased from the photo company which provide photos at Satan's Cesspool and Hospital bar of SFA and Tunnel Chute of MFA. After paddling, we drove back to Coloma and purchased the photos.


Kenya passing through Satan's Cesspool. He flop in the hole but rolled up.






Rafters entering the Satan's Cesspool.




Kenya in the Surprise rapid (classIII).


In 2008, Kenya ran the Gorge twice with 7 times' Eskimo rolls and no swimming totally. Next year, I will take him Chili Bar of SFA after he feels more comfortable with the Gorge run.