Fife Brook - September 28, 2025

Hangover Helper

Scheduled releases on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River end in October. With three weeks of travel coming up for work, I knew I would have to go this weekend if I wanted to catch one. When I saw a trip on the MOC Facebook page, I decided to join. 

It was a typical release for this time of year – 800 cfs from 12:00 to 4:00. The Charlemont gage hit around 850 cfs with water flowing in from the small creeks. We had a group of 6 - 2 canoes, 2 kayaks and 2 paddle boards. We met at 11:30 to run the shuttle. We started downstream a little after 12:00. With a small group things go fast, but we still spent a lot of time playing.

Freight Train

Only the two canoes (me and Steve) ran Zoar Gap. I took my usual right-to-left line. I got spun around a little going into the big drop, but I was able to straighten it out and apply a good forward stroke before hitting the wave at the bottom. Steve took the left line, and made it through fine.

This was my second trip in my Millbrook Outrage, and I am really liking it. It surfs great and I bail it out with a sponge. The only problem is dumping the boat is no longer an excuse to get out and stretch.

Links:
My Pictures
Fife Brook release Schedule
Charlemont Gage

River Description from American Whitewater

Fife Brook in my Millbrook Outrage - August 22, 2025

Running Zoar Gap

I knew I was going to have a busy weekend, so when a saw a post for a Friday afternoon trip on Fife Brook I decided to join. This would be the first whitewater run in my new Millbrook Outrage, and I got Paul to come along as well.

We met at 12:30 at the take out below the Gap. I was surprised how many people were around for a weekday trip. We had 11 in our group – 4 canoes and 7 kayaks – and there were 3 other groups organizing to get on the river. The release was 800 cfs – an OK level, but a little boney in spots.

Running Zoar Gap

We got on the water at around 1:15, and I could tell right away that the composite Outrage was different than its Royalex cousin. It’s hard to describe, but it made the Royalex version feel a little sluggish. The composite boat was definitely faster, the turns were crisper, and it was really dry. I've always admired the Millbrook guys who were bailing out their boats with sponges – now I know why.

We worked out way downstream, and the boat felt more comfortable the more I paddled it. When we finally got to Zoar Gap I was the last one to go through. I caught a couple of eddies on the left on the way down, and the two big rocks on the right before heading in. I took the line from right to left, and made it through fine. 

Links:

My Pictures

My Video - Open Boats on Zoar Gap

Charlemont Gage

Fife Brook Release Schedule

River Description from American Whitewater

Running Zoar Gap over the Years

Routes through Zoar Gap over the years

There have been three different versions of the "Gap" since I started paddling in 2006. Back in the old days there was an easy "sneak" route on the far right (red). That got filled with rocks during Tropical Storm Irene in 2012. After that, I usually eddied out at the top and tried to go right or left of "Oh Shit Rock" in the middle of the second drop, with mixed success (yellow going right). After flooding in 2023 things got moved around again. The eddy at the top got squirrely, the right line got blocked by rocks, but cutting directly from right to left got a lot easier (blue). There has always been a kayak line of the far left (green). Here are some of my runs over the years:

Zoar Gap Runs over the Years from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo. 

My Zoar Gap record now stands at 21 attempts with 13 successful, 6 swims and 2 walks. I’ve made it through successfully on my last 5 runs.

Fife Brook - Pride Day on the Deerfield - June 21, 2025

Paul, Fran and me

It was a day to show support LGBTQ+ folks, and to encourage everyone to get out and paddle. Who wouldn’t want to do that. Besides, it has been a while since I’ve done a run on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River, so I was glad when Paul posted this trip on RICKA’s Flatwater calendar. 

There are several sections of the Deerfield that are popular for whitewater paddling. Advanced paddlers often head to the Dryway in Monroe Bridge. This is a class III-IV section of river for experienced whitewater paddlers. We would be paddling the Fife Brook section, which is mostly class II, with the exception of Zoar Gap in the middle which is class III.

Paul and Fran

I met Paul at the take out below the Gap at 11:00. There were lots of people looking for rides, so I ended up taking Mary Theresa’s boat and aother paddler – Seth – up to the put-in. We hung out for a while waiting for the water to come up and got on the river a little after noon.

The day was sunny and warm – first trip in swim trunks and a tee shirt. The Fife Brook Dam was supposed to release 1,200 – not sure it actually did but it was still a good level. Just downstream from the put-in is the first rapid known as Hangover Helper - a ledge extends across most of the river resulting in a 2-foot drop followed by a long wave train. We ran the drop and played in the waves before moving downstream.

Fran in the Island Rapid

The next rapid - Carbis Bend - is similar but smaller. A ledge extends out from the left side of the river producing a couple of easy surf waves. Just downstream from Carbis Bend is a rapid known as Freight Train. This rapid starts with a long wave train and ends with a large surf wave. The rapid takes its name from the speed that many people build up running through the waves, and the railroad bridge just downstream that carries freight trains across the river.

After Freight Train is a rock garden known as Pinball. With scattered rocks and ledges, it’s a great place to practice eddy turns, peel outs and ferries. After Pinball is the Island Rapid. As the name describes, the river is split by an island. The usual route is to the left with large waves and fast moving water where the river reconnects at the end.

Approaching Zoar Gap

After the Island Rapid comes Zoar Gap – the largest rapid on this section of the river. Paul went through first, caught the eddy after the first drop, but couldn’t spin his boat around to run the second drop. He ended up running the shoot backwards and dumped on the big curling wave at the bottom. I took the line from right to left, skipped the eddy, and made it through fine.

After the gap, we continued downstream to the Shunpike Rest Area.  As ususal, we stopped for sub’s on the way home at Georgio's Pizza in Greenfield. I took Route 2 home to avoid the construction on the MassPike.

Links:

My Pictures

Fife Brook Dam Releases

Charlemont Gage

Pride Day On the Deerfield - June 8, 2024

The crew at the put-in 

It was a day to show support LGBTQ+ folks, and to encourage everyone to get out and paddle. Who wouldn’t want to do that. Besides, it has been a while since I’ve done a run on the Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield River, so I was glad when Paul posted this trip on RICKA’s whitewater message board.

Deerfield River arises in southern VT and flows for 76-miles through VT and MA to join with the Connecticut River in Greenfield below Turners Falls. With over a 1,000-foot drop, hydroelectric development began in 1910 when the New England Power Company was formed to acquire water rights and build hydroelectric dams. There are now 10 dams on the Deerfield operated by three different electric utilities. An innovative licensing agreement with these dam operators requires lots of recreational releases for whitewater paddling, rafting and tubing.

Hangover Helper

There are several sections of the Deerfield that are popular for whitewater paddling. Advanced paddlers often head to “The Dryway” in Monroe Bridge. This is a class III-IV section of river for experienced whitewater paddlers. RICKA has several paddlers who paddle the Dryway, but I’m not one of them.

We would be paddling the Fife Brook section, which is named for the Fife Brook Dam that controls its flow. It runs 9-miles from the dam down to the Shunpike Rest Area in Charlemont. It is mostly class II, with the exception of Zoar Gap in the middle which is class III. Since Pride Day is always a popular event we knew the river would be crowded.

Carbis Bend

I picked up Paul at 7:00 and we headed off to the river. It takes a couple of hours to get there, so it’s always nice to have someone along to share the ride. We arrived at the put-in at the Fife Brook Dam at around 10:00. Craig and Elliot were already there. We arranged the shuttle, and by 11:00 we were on the river.

The day was cloudy and windy with a few drops of rain. Temperatures were in the 60’s, so it was tough to know what to wear. I brought my wet suit with a slash top. Paul wore his dry suit. Both were good choices. The Fife Brook Dam was releasing at 800 cfs, and the gage in Charlemont was between 800 and 900 cfs.

Freight Train

Just downstream from the put-in is the first rapid known as “Hangover Helper”. At this rapid, a ledge extends across most of the river resulting in a 2-foot drop followed by a long wave train. If you’re still asleep, or perhaps a little hung-over, this rapid will wake you up fast. We ran the drop and played in the waves before moving downstream.

The next rapid - “Carbis Bend” - is similar but smaller. A ledge extends out from the left side of the river producing a couple of easy surf waves. Even those too timid to try surfing at Hangover Helper will generally give it a try at Carbis Bend, so it’s a popular place to stop.

Surf wave below Freight Train

Just downstream from Carbis Bend is a rapid known as “Freight Train”. This rapid starts with a long wave train and ends with a large surf wave. The rapid takes its name from the speed that many people build up running through the waves, and the railroad bridge just downstream that carries freight trains across the river.

After Freight Train is a rock garden known as “Pinball”. With scattered rocks and ledges, it’s a great place to practice eddy turns, peel outs and ferries. After Pinball is the Island Rapid. As the name describes, the river is split by an island. The usual route is to the left with large waves and fast moving water where the river reconnects at the end.

Island Rapid

After the Island Rapid comes Zoar Gap – the largest rapid on this section of the river. Zoar Gap has changed several times over the years. When I started paddling back in 2006 there was an easy sneak line on the far right. That went away with Tropical Storm Irene in 2012, and I usually eddied out at the top and tried to go right (with mixed success). After last year's flooding the left line got a lot easier. We all went left yesterday, and made it through fine.

After the gap, Craig and Elliot headed home, and Paul and I continued downstream to the Shunpike Rest Area. With the wind at our back it was a quick run. We stopped for sub’s on the way home at Georgio's Pizza in Greenfield. It’s a long ride, but for such a great day, it’s worth it.

Erik and Craig running Zoar Gap

Links:
My Pictures

My Video - Open boat runs at Zoar Gap
Fife Brook release schedule

Charlemont Gage

River description from American Whitewater

Fife Brook – August 6, 2022

Paul below Hangover Helper

It has been a while since I’ve been out in my whitewater boat, so I decided to test out my cranky knee and do a run with Paul on the Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield River.

I met Paul at McD’s for the ride up to Charlemont. After dropping him off at the put-in, I drove back to the take-out to drop off my car and catch a ride back in one of the shuttles. There were lots of groups getting organized, and I found an empty seat in a car with the CTAMC. It was Deerfieldfest weekend and the Dryway wasn’t running due to an issue with the dam, so there were crowds everywhere.  

Erik in Pinball

The Fife Brook Dam was releasing at 800 cfs – a medium low level. We put in at around 11:00 and began working our way downstream. The crowds at Hangover Helper and Carbis Bend were huge, but eventually we found some space to ourselves. We surfed the ledge below Freight Train and played in Pinball before taking a break for lunch at Miami Beach. We then ran the Island Rapid before heading down to Zoar Gap.

My record running the Gap is mixed - 15 attempts with 7 successful, 6 swims and 2 walks. I pulled over above the Gap to take some pictures before running it myself. Once in the Gap, I caught the eddy on the left below the first pour-over, and then went right of "Oh Shit Rock" though the second drop. It wasn’t pretty, but I made it. So my record in the Gap now stands at 16 attempts with 8 successful, 6 swims and 2 walks. My knee was fine.

Zoar Gap from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:

My Pictures
Fife Brook Dam Gage from Safe Waters

Charlemont Gage

River Description from American Whitewater

River Description from Zoar Outdoors

Fife Brook Release Schedule

Lines through Zoar Gap

John takes the right.

Mary Therese takes the left.

Videos by Rick Howard.

Fife Brook - August 4, 2019

It’s been a while since I had my whitewater boat out, so I decided to head up to the Deerfield for a Fife Brook run. I posted on Where’s the Whitwater at? and John Kaz invited me along. The release was 3', 900 cfs on the Charlemont Gage.  I had my second and third swims of the year.  My second was in the rapid above Zoar Gap. I was eddying out on the left, hit a rock, and went over. John recovered my boat so I was able to run the Gap. On my Gap run, I caught the eddy at the top, but tried to go left instead of right – it never works.  Don caught my air brace, gunnel grab and sculling hand brace on video.

Running Zoar Gap from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

I need to do it like like Rick - two good forward strokes from the eddy to ferry river right, and then down the right side.  Next time. My Zoar Gap record now stands at 15 attempts - 7 successful, 6 swims and 2 walks. You'd think after all those attempts I would have it down better.

Links:

My Pictures

Don’s Video of Gap Runs

Charlmont Gage

Fife Book section of the Deerfield – June 23, 2018

It has been a while since it took a trip out to the Deerfield, so I decided to join the River Diva’s group organized by Robin. At is turned out, there were more “dudes” than “divas”. The release was low but OK - 3 feet, 800 cfs. on the Charlemont gage.  

We put-in at around 11:00 and worked our way downstream. As we approached Zoar Gap, I decided that I was going to try to catch the eddy at the top, and then go right. I caught the eddy fine, but as usual bounced off the big rock in the middle. After a long brace, I got myself back upright, but I missed the eddy on the right and banged into the rocks instead. Fortunately, I was able to work my way off without too much difficulty. My 50/50 record running the Gap stands secure – 14 attempts - 7 successful, 5 swims and 2 walks.

Another great poem from canoeswithduckheads on p.net:

The mouse that Zoared

must pick its lion,

before pulling out

in thorny paws,

for in some lions

be rocky roads,

to turn you over

in toothy maws.

Somedays, you eat the lion. Somedays, the lion...

Keep Zoaring, Sir Erik de Dagger!
TW

Links: 

My Pictures

Charlemont Gage
Fife Brook from American Whitewater

Fife Brook Release Schedule

Does walking make you less of a paddler?

Last weekend, I was sitting down on the rocks in the middle of Zoar Gap taking pictures. The rest of the group had just paddled through, and now it was my turn. I could have easily slipped my boat back into the water, pealed out into the current, and attempted to hug the right line through the Gap as I have so many times before. Instead, I decided to walk my boat, and I’ve felt guilty about it ever since. 

I know that my guilt was entirely self-imposed - no one in the group said a word, or even seemed to care. Still, it brings up a question that I know I struggle with on occasion – does walking make you less of a paddler? 

In some ways it definitely does. There is a lot of truth to the old adage “if you aren’t swimming, you aren’t trying hard enough”. To become a better paddler you definitely have to push yourself to take risks, and if walking becomes a crutch, then that’s a problem. Based on the number of swims that I have taken over the past few years, I’m not worried about that yet.

But does that mean that you need to run every rapid? Stretching your abilities is one thing, but I also try to temper that with the desire to be self-sufficient. I joke with another paddling friend that we are class II paddlers with class IV self-rescue skills. It’s nice to know that the group is there to support us, but it’s always better if they don’t have to.

So I have come to the conclusion that occasionally it is OK not to run a rapid. Paddling is not about a single event. It’s about running the river, and getting home that night to run another river another day. It’s about pushing your abilities, but not putting yourself or others at unreasonable risk. It’s about enjoying a day on the water with a great group of people. So if my ego gets bruised occasionally, either by swimming or by walking, I’m OK with that.

So to all my paddling friends, here's the deal - if I’m tired, if I’m cold, if my gut is telling me that today is not the day to run that rapid, I might walk. But if I don't, thanks in advance for fishing me out when I swim.

Zoar Gap - that's me sitting on the rock on the left

Fife Brook - February 19, 2017

Carbis Bend

As I drove up Route 91 into Deerfield, I saw snowmobiles in the fields and ice fishermen on the lakes, and I wondered if it was a good idea to drive 2 hours to go canoeing.  Then I drove over a bridge and saw that the Deerfield River was flowing high and ice-free, and I knew it was going to be a good day.

As things turned out, I had a couple of paddling options. There was a group doing a low level (500 cfs) run on the Lower Winni. I definitely want to do that somethime, but decided it would be better to do with a group I know when the water is a little warmer. There was also a group doing a Tville run. As much as I like Tville, I’ve run it a lot lately, so I decided to run the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River instead.   

Freight Train 

I met the group of 6 kayaks and 3 canoes at the take out for the shuttle up to the dam.  The river was at a nice level – 3.5 feet, 1,100 cfs.  It looked like winter with snow on the ground, but felt more like spring with temperatures in the high 50’s. 

We put in at around noon and began working our way downstream. We ran Hangover Helper, did some surfing at Carbis Bend and Freight Train, and played in Pinball for a while.  When we reached the Gap, I headed down first to get some pictures.  Everyone made it through fine.  When it was my turn, I looked at the rapid, looked at my boat sitting on the rocks, and wimped out and decided to walk. Oh well, at least I didn’t swim…

Hangover helper

Links:

My Pictures
Joe's seal launch

Deerfield Gage

Carnage at the Gap - Deerfield River - September 3, 2016

It’s been a while since I had my whitewater boat out, so I headed out to western MA for the dam release on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River.  I paddled with the CT AMC, and we had a huge group – 19 boats (17 kayaks, 2 canoes).

The release was 800 cfs – low but OK.  By the time we reached the Gap the level was dropping, and I think the Gap is tougher with lower water.  Since the current seemed to be pushing everything left, I didn’t think I would make my usual line hugging the right shore.  Instead, I caught the eddy at the top and tried the left line.  I didn’t have enough momentum going down the shoot and flipped in the wave at the bottom.  I  had plenty of company – here are some of the other runs:

ZOAR GAP from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

My 50/50 record running the Gap stands secure – 12 attempts = 6 successful, 5 swims and 1 walk.

Links:

My Pictures

Stuck in a hole… September 8, 2012

I guess it had to happen eventually, and when it did, I didn’t even realize what was going on.

We did our annual RICKA Flatwater/Whitewater trip yesterday on the Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield. Release was at a nice level - 1,100 cfs.  Most of the flatwater paddlers portaged Zoar Gap, but a few of the whitewater paddlers decided to run it. I got video of everyone else coming through, and then went up for my run. My plan was to hug the right side, but as usual, I got pushed to far left and swamped in the big hole at the bottom.

I ended up in the water and remember thinking that I was staying underwater for a long time. Usually I pop right up. After a couple of seconds I hit bottom which was really weird – that never happens. I pushed off the bottom (whacking my knee in the process) and tried to swim back up. It took a couple of seconds, but eventually I broke the surface. My boat was right there, so I grabbed on and started kicking hard toward the nearest eddy.

I thought it was odd at the time, but it wasn’t until after we finished the trip that Andy (who happened to be sitting nearby) explained what probably happened – I got sucked under in the hole. Thinking about it, it’s the only explanation that makes sense for why I remained underwater so long and went down so deep. Fortunately, it wasn't a keeper, so I just continued downstream. I would have been in big trouble if I got sucked down again without big breath of air. Yikes – that’s a scary thought.

Here's my video of the rest of the RICKA crew:


Running Zoar Gap from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:
My Pictures

Swam the Gap - again - July 28, 2012

Had a good time yesterday with Paul, Fran and Charlie on the Deerfield River.  We ran the section from the Fife Brook Dam down to the Shunpike Rest Area.

When I left my house it was bright and sunny.  By the time we got on the water, the rain had moved in and it rained for most of the afternoon. The scheduled release was 950 cfs., but with the rain, it seemed a little higher.

We had two successful runs through the gap and one swim – me.  I tried to run the right line, but got too far left and filled up with water going through hole.  I remember trying to brace, but swam in the big waves just downstream. Tommy says that I need to turn the motor on and PADDLE - good advice.  At least I provided a real live example of safe swimming for a Zoar rescue class that was practicing below the Gap.  My boat made it all the way down the bridge before someone snagged it.


Zoar Gap - Deerfield River from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Summer Day on Fife Brook - June 23, 2102

It rained on the way out.  It rained on the way back.  In between, we had a great day (sunny and warm) on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River.

Surfing at Carbis Bend

This was my first trip to the Deerfield since the extensive flooding on the Deerfield during Hurricane Irene last year.  We had a small group – Earl, Jeff, Paul and me. The release was scheduled to be 800 cfs, but it was closer to 900 cfs on the Charlemont gage.  Not a bad level, but I don't think I would want to run it much lower.

We ran the shuttle and got on the river around 11:00.  I had heard that there would be a lot of changes as a result of the flooding, but I was still surprised at how much had changed. 

• Hangover Helper at the start of the run was bigger, but there is an easy line to the right. 
• Carbis Bend has a much smaller surf wave, and the midstream rock that was great for side surfing is gone.
• The wave train and surf hole above the railroad bridge at Freight Train are gone, although a new surf spot developed at the ledge downstream
• Pinball is unaffected, but the wave trains and surf spots below it around Miami Beach are gone.

Some of the biggest changes occurred around Zoar Gap. The Gap is now considerably narrower, and the sneak route on the far right is gone – filled with rocks from the reconstruction of the road above. The easiest line, and the one I took, is now center right. The left line is still there - maybe I’ll try it next time.

Links:

RICKA crew runs Zoar Gap

My Pictures

Fife Brook Releases Schedule

Charlemont Gage

A Great Summer Day on Fife Brook - July 17, 2011

Jim running Hangover Helper

Had a great day yesterday on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield. We had six boats – 3 canoes (Jim, Ed and Erik) and 3 yaks (Andy, Hector and Elaine). Release was 900 cfs which is OK – maybe a little low. Weather was absolutely perfect – sunny and in the high 80’s. Great day for swimming.

We put in at around 11:30 and began working our way downstream. We ran Hangover Helper, and had a good time surfing at Carbis Bend and Freight Train before we stopped for lunch. Racers from the ACA Whitewater Downriver Nations came though after lunch. It wasn’t a big group, but they were moving. We played in Pinball for a while, but then had to pick up the pace after that so we didn’t run out of water.

Elaine at Freight Train

By the time we reached Zoar Gap the river was already down a couple of inches. Three of us took the sneak line to the right, including Elaine who had a great first run through the Gap. Ed blasted down the middle. Only Andy tried the more difficult line to the left. He flipped at the top and a bounced down the rest of the rapid. Oh well – it was a good day to swim.

We took out at around 4:30 – the last group on the river – as usual. I got to paddle a Blackfly Option at the take out. Now that is a cool boat.

That's me running Zoar Gap

Links:
My video
My pictures

A Summer Day on Fife Brook - August 16th

It was a typical August day - sunny and hot. For most people, that’s beach weather. For me, it’s a great dayfor a trip out to the Deerfield River.

The Deerfield runs 73 miles across southern Vermont and northwestern Massachusetts before it empties into the Connecticut River. It is a beautiful river that cuts a deep valley through scenic mountains and hills. Releases at several hydroelectric dams provide paddling opportunities for boaters of all skill levels throughout the summer.

Advanced paddlers often head to “The Dryway” in Monroe Bridge. This is a class III-IV section of river for experienced whitewater paddlers. RICKA has several paddlers who regularly paddle the Dryway, but I’m not one of them.

For me, the Fife Brook Section is more appropriate. This section runs 9 miles from the Fife Brook Dam down to the Shunpike Rest Area in Charlemont. It is mostly class II, with the exception of Zoar Gap in the middle which is class III.

I picked up Paul at 7:30 and we headed off to the river. It takes a couple of hours to get there, so its always nice to have someone along to share the ride. We arrived at the Zoar Gap Picnic Area around 10:00. Jeff, Andy, Don and Karen were already there. Peter and Linda pulled in a few minutes later. We arranged the shuttle, and by 10:30 we were on the river.

The day was hot and the water was clear and cold. I knew I’d be doing some swimming before the day was through. Just downstream from the put-in is the first rapid known as “Hangover Helper”. At this rapid, a ledge extends across most of the river resulting in a 2-foot drop followed by a long wave train. If you’re still asleep, or perhaps a little hung-over, this rapid will wake you up fast. We ran the drop and played in the waves before moving downstream.

The next rapid - “Carbis Bend” - is similar but smaller. A ledge extends out from the left side of the river producing a couple of easy surf waves. Even those too timid to do any surfing at Hangover Helper will generally give it a try at Carbis Bend, so it’s a popular place to stop. We pulled over, enjoyed the sunshine, and took turns on the waves.

Just downstream from Carbis Bend is a rapid known as “Freight Train”. This rapid starts with a long wave train and ends with a large surf wave. The rapid takes its name from the speed that many people build up running through the waves, and the railroad bridge just downstream that carries freight trains across the river. We stopped for lunch and had fun playing, and watching others play in the waves.

After Freight Train is a long rapid known as “Pinball”. With scattered rocks and ledges, it’s a great place to practice eddy turns, peel outs and ferries. By this time, I was hot enough for a swim, so we decided to do some throw bag practice. We pulled over next to a long, easy rapid across from a sandy beach know as “Miami Beach”. Andy positioned himself with a throw bag at the bottom of the rapid near a large eddy, as I walked up the top. Once Andy was ready, I eased myself into the current and got into a defensive swimming position – on my back, feet raised and pointed downstream. At the bottom of the rapid Andy threw me the line and swung me out of the rapid and into the eddy below - perfect.

After Pinball is the most difficult rapid on this section of the river – Zoar Gap. Four of us decided to run the Gap and continue downstream to the Shunpike Rest Area. There are three routes through the Gap – left, right and center – each requiring a different combination of moves. After scouting from shore, we all decided to take the center route.

I was the sweep boat and watched from an eddy on the left as Jeff, Andy and Paul disappeared down into the rapid. As I was sitting in the eddy, I noticed a couple of tubers climbing down the bank to the river, but didn’t think too much of it. I had my own issues to worry about.

I crossed the river and eddied out behind a large rock just above the Gap. From there, I set up for my run and headed into the rapid. Only then did I realize that one of the tubers that I had seen earlier was also on his way into the Gap. He swamped in a big hole in front of me, and was getting circulated around as I came though. I thought I was going to run him over, but fortunately he flushed out just before I got there. I bounced my way through the rest of the rapid and pulled into an eddy at the bottom with Jeff and Paul. Andy was a little further downstream emptying his boat. Three successful runs and one successful swim – not bad.

The rest of the run down to the Shunpike Rest area was uneventful. At 4:30, we pulled off the river and got everyone back to their cars. It’s a long ride home, but for such a great day, its worth it.

Links:
Video of Jeff's run through Zoar Gap
River description from American Whitewater