Yuba SF (Edwards to Purdon, IV) with my son

My son started kayaking with IK in 2006 when he was 9 years old and had used IK for 16 paddling days, then switched to a hardshell kayak (Dagger Dynamo) in 2008 and have used it for 22 paddling days. Since last summer when his performance at SF American Gorge run (III+) at 1300~1700 cfs came to be very well, I have been wanting to push him up to classIV.

At least in northern California, most class IV runs not far from Sacramento are runnable in only snow melt season. If safety is considered, drysuits would be essential. It was painful to pay for S size drysuits and small creek boat that will fit my son probably only for two years (because he is 13 years old), but I got both for him.

For his entry to class IV world, I waited for lower flows at somewhere among Edward to Purdon (E2P, SF Yuba), Chamberlain (NF American) and Kyburz (SF American). After my son used his new boat (Jackson, Little Hero) one day at SFA Gorge, we could have that opportunity very soon at E2P where the flow was 470 cfs making this run easier. Fortunately, there were other participants, WillisN, DaveW and BrianG, who responded to my invitation to this run in GCP mailing list and all have run it. So, I could feel easy about taking my son there.

For more detail information, visit A Wet State

The Putin rapid.


Someone running the Putin rapid


View from the putin bridge for the downstream


Put-in above the Edwards crossing bridge. My son, Ken-ya, is ready for class IV. Face-guard helmet, arm-elbow protector, drysuits, knee pads, and creek boat.



In the rapids after Easy/Ugly, which is probably left channel of Post Easy Ugly (IV), Ken-ya got stuck in a hole at the end of rapids and his boat flop. He released his paddle accidentally, but he did not panic and did succeed in handroll. However, he was still in the hole and his boat flop again. I thought he would swim, but he handrolled again and escaped from that hole, which really impressed all of us. I was so excited and forgot to take the picture of the hole.


Here is an ordinary spot for break or lunch.


Brian boofing at Few Choices (IV)


Willis took different route from Few Choices


Dave entering Few Choices


Ken-ya entering Few Choices (IV)








Ken-ya running in class III rapids just quoter miles upstream than the takeout










He finished this run without swimming, with one roll and three handrolls. Congratulations!


Ken-ya appeared to feel relaxed during the whole day in any rapids. Rather, I felt nervous. However, thanks to other participants who had experienced this run for more than a few times, I could feel easy to take my son down this run. In California, classIII fields are not many, but there are plenty of classIV runs. This year (2010), snow packs are more than the average and snow melt season will be long. I am looking forward to enjoying class IV with my son this year.