Every Fall, the US Army Corps of Engineers at Summersville Dam draw down the lake to make room for winter snowfall and rain.  The releases last for six weekends (Friday through Monday) with an extra day thrown in on Bridge Day.  The Gauley is rated as one of the top ten rivers in the world for rafting.  I disagree with it being that high, but due to the fact that a lot of the best rivers in the world are in remote, hard to access places, what the Gauley is is one of the most famous big water, late season, dam released whitewater experiences in the country.  When the water stops running in other parts of the country, raft guides from all over come to the Gauley for another six weeks of work, returning year after year, giving customers colorful and experienced guides.  The Gauley is great for riverboarding too, despite lots of flat water between rapids.  
   

  A few boarders got out on the Lower on Friday, and then a large group (six boarders, 1 raft, 1 shredder, and 3 kayaks) did the Middle and Lower on Saturday.  Thanks to John, Amy, and Rod for coming out to try riverboarding, driving all the way from DC, New York, and Ohio respectively; to Cap for great lines and good suggestions on alternate lines as usual, to Alicia and Jamie for helping teach new riverboarders and running sweep, and to Jay for sweeping with the Shredder as well.      

 Lower Gauley Group:Amy, Rod, Jamie, Kevin, John.  (photo by Alicia)

Lower Mash rapid, Lower Gauley

  On Sunday a few boarders hit the Lower again to mainly focus on surfing, and me and Shane decided to simply hike down to Pillow Rock to do laps.  Mainly I just wanted to get in the water, but not have to do a long shuttle or long stretch of river so I could rest up for the race the following day.  Props to the brave person on the bodyboard who attempted to jump off of pillow in order to surf it (the board shot out from under them and they safely took a deep ride, but that took some stones to jump off a 12-15 foot cliff into a surf). 

Pillow Rock, Upper Gauley

  Monday rolled around, and me and Chuck Kayser (last year's race winner in the riverboard category) were the only riverboarders signed up to do the Animal race.  Somehow my watch must have been slow as we both got a late start and the clock was running on us before either of us were in the water, giving us both crappy finish times compared to previous year's racers.  Also, private rafters had the put-in crowded, so I let Chuck sit down and put in first on the only available patch of rock, thinking that he could wait for me in an eddy and we'd start the race (we had no idea we were late).  Chuck got in the water and was informed that the clock was running, so he took off, and then I found out the same thing a few minutes later.  By the fact that we held the same distance apart for most of the race, but with Chuck widening that gap in the pool above Lost Paddle, then I estimate that had we started at the same time, the he would have beat me by 30-45 seconds.  He is a good riverboarder and has an ideal body for racing as he's lean and tall, so those long arms and legs come in handy for speed.  I also speculate that had we both got started on time, that we would have both had times under 1 hour 30 minutes and the standings would had looked better.  For me, it was great to take on that challenge of trying to see how fast you can run 9 miles of whitewater, though it was mainly flat water and class III's with a few big, technical rapids thrown in.  I found that I'm in great cardiovascular shape as my lungs did okay, but I need to build more endurance in my limbs, especially my arms.  I could only do 30-40 arms strokes before the latic acid in my shoulders would force me to let my arms rest.  It was basically, dig hard through the flat water, then back off for the final 10 yards above each of the “big five” to catch a quick breather and have the energy to make the moves that keep you safe.  I ran everything pretty well, though I got stuck in a hole in a no name rapid, should have taken a more aggressive line at Six Pack rock on Lost Paddle, and got a little too far to the right in Iron Ring (not a problem if you're fresh and have the strength to correct it, but it is when you're 8 miles into a 9 miles race and make a mistake when you're tired) which caused me to spend a few seconds in both of it's holes, but no biggie.  I can't wait to come back next year and race against my own performance. 

  Props to Chuck for winning and being a great competitor and sportsman.  I want to thank everyone that came out to riverboard.  The Gauley isn't finished releasing this year, so go up if you want some less crowded runs these last few weekends.  Lastly, I want to encourage more people to compete in the race.  Yes it's long, but a great challenge and fun; and yes it's on a Monday,  but it'd be super cool to have 4 or 5 people mixing it up and racing hard next year. 

 Kevin,

P.S. Both Alex and Ice have some killer videos recently posted on Youtube as well, so check em out.