Whitewater Kayaking

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It's whitewater kayaking but it's not a river. The tidal current into Sechelt Inlet forms a perfect standing wave (some times). 

Now here is a real rodeo (Special Wenatchee moments)

The river is not running high enough to form the real rodeo hole. People are playing in the small hole just upstream. I'm watching because I find it a bit too sticky for my taste and skill. Between all the hot playboats in the line up: X's, Jives and the little 007, a Pirouette catches my eye.

When it's the pirouetters turn, he pushes boldly through the boiling eddyline, only to end up immediately in a side surf. Not a very stable one. I start wondering, if he is in the right place. Soon enough, he flips. Surprisingly fast, he comes up the other side. Empty handed. Oh no, he lost his paddle! Actually, he managed to hang on with one hand. Like a Rodeo rider, he waves his free arm in the air to keep balance, while trying to pull the paddle out of the pile. That goes on for seconds. He finally frees his paddle from the boiling waters. As soon as he grabs it with both hands, he goes in for another windowshade. I’m not sure anymore if I should laugh or feel sorry for him. Again he comes up one handed, more arm-waving and paddle pulling, than another windowshade. He finally washes out. I’m sure the worked kayaker had enough hole riding for the next few years.

But no, he lines up in the queue again! No sign of doubt or concern in his face. It’s his turn. Again he gets in the hole sideways. We don’t have to wait long and he is over again. He comes up the other side, performing the one handed paddle pull. But this time something is different: his sun glasses have disappeared. As soon as he frees his paddle, he goes in for the next windowshade. Unbelievable: his sun glasses are back in place! A last, final windowshade ends his performance, and no, this time he doesn’t go back into the hole. We are laughing so hard, that we almost slide down the rock slope into the river.

(from the 'Paddlepost' May 99 by Claudia)