Here are a few rambling thoughts on the Montgomery Whitewater park. My gear: Wave Sport EZG-50 and Select Wild fiberglass paddle. Astral Green Vest and Sweet Rocker helmet. IR Klingon Empire skirt.
TLDR: It's a perfect venue to hone skills and become a great boater. What is it not is a nature or river experience.
I was nervous about it, but I built up some courage and returned to Montgomery Whitewater yesterday. I got two runs in on the creeky course, got one combat roll and did some roll practice in the pool at the bottom of the courses. Doesn't sound like much, but one run of the course makes me very tired, and I have to rest. This is because the course is like compacting an entire river run into a short, busy, stay-concentrated experience. Posture, torso rotation, and taking good strokes all come to mind. In the fast swirly environment, it is a real workout.
What struck me yesterday was the fact that it is indeed swimming pool water, so being upside down and rolling has that familiar swimming pool vibe. Lack of any strainers, undercuts, or other dangers (aside from the rafts full of customers which are easy to time your runs around) makes it simply calmer to work on rolls. Though the water is very swirly. The swirls remind me of being on a flooded creek run. (Not that I have ever done such a foolish thing.)
Seriously, the swirls were becoming more managable to me and I was able to eddy out when I wanted. Eddy outs, peel outs, ferries, all require good technique. It's like a climbing gym for boaters where you practice the important details of our sport.
There were people including folks from other countries at the playhole/wave spot practicing for the Worlds in Columbus the week after next. In addition were several friends of mine just tearing it up in that feature. I wish I could join them. But - I got hurt playboating back in my early 30's and had surgery on my right shoulder. I realized looking at them in the feature that I am scared of being hurt again. And this is just my reality and where I am in my paddling.
Which brings me to saying this - I wish it was there back in the late 90's, wish I was 30 years younger, but still feel like I am working on things I need to improve. I am grateful for it and wish I could go more often.
It is not a nature experience at all. It WILL challenge you if you have become a lazy slack paddler esp. with regards to posture. There are some great boaters that are going to come from learning in this place. Esp. playboaters.
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