Freefall Paddles
Bartlett Vallee
Sawyer offers a complete line of paddles and oars with unsurpassed function, performance, and beauty. We design and handcraft every product in Oregon, USA, ensuring everything we make is from the highest quality materials with careful attention to detail. We take pride in our employees, stewardship of the environment and our country. In return, you have the assurance of knowing the product you receive from us is genuine, made in America. Sawyer products are designed by paddlers, oarsmen, and surfers alike to fully meet your performance needs. Pick one up today and experience "The Feel of Water!"
Unfortunately, this may be the worst spring ever when it comes to being able to log open water training in Michigan. Thankfully last fall I acquired the Kayak Pro ERG and have been logging around 4 hours a week. I have dreaded adding long 2-3 hour paddles and have preferred to get my long endurance through skiing, but I now realize that 2-3 hours session on the ERG will be required over the next two months. I also have a trip to Charleston planned for the last week in April and plan to cram in as many long paddles as I possibly can.
Christie Eastman: Thank you! Metlako Falls is a BEAUTIFUL 101 ft. spouting waterfall (with an 82 ft. freefall) on Eagle Creek, Oregon, which is near where I live. I ran many of the other Eagle Creek waterfalls previously, but walked around Metlako since it was so much taller than the others.
I felt the biggest risk from kayaking Metlako Falls was a shoulder injury from the impact of the water grabbing my paddle upon landing, so I practiced throwing my paddle mid-air and hand rolling my kayak if I flipped at the bottom.
Christie Eastman: It took just 4 seconds to hit the water below, but it felt like I was falling FOREVER! I expected a turbulent landing but was enveloped in the veil of falling water and the aerated pool below was surprisingly soft.
I spent most of two months this summer creeking out in Colorado. It was my first season out there and had really got into the whole creeking thing. After paddling almost everyday for two months I was feeling pretty good, and started running some harder stuff. After some real good days on Vallecito and Big South, the water levels started to drop leaving only a couple of runs open; one of them being the Crystal Gorge. When I got a few days off from work, me and buddy decided to go for it and headed out. We got to the take out waited for the third member of our party.
Nick and Tommy went first on minute intervals and both had good lines. It was my turn to go. I got prepared, took some deep breaths, and focused on my line. I was scared, but ready to step up. I peeled out and dropped the five foot entrance. I was now completely committed to the gorge. As I floated to the lip of the big one, the 200 foot vertical granite walls loomed in the background, completely removed my focus. Horizon lines always look bigger from the lip. As I hit the slide part I was leaning far forward and moved to just where I wanted to be, giving a slight boof stroke when I started to freefall. As I was falling I felt like I was coming in a little flat, and pushed my feet down to try to change my angle.
John Puakea is the founder of Puakea Designs, an innovative paddlesport design company that delivers products and services to elite-level as well as recreation paddlers. Puakea Designs team riders include world-champion paddlers Danny Ching, Jimmy Austin, and Lauren Spalding.
John is an internationally sought after canoe builder as well as a championship- winning paddling coach, whose career as a canoeing innovator and promoter has evolved with the expanding paddling sports market.
The new Summer Octet Challenge runs from June 20 to September 22 and features hikes, paddles, outdoor events and volunteer activities. Complete eight of the featured activities to receive an embroidered Summer Octet Patch and/or vinyl sticker (great for water bottles!) and a listing on the Otsego Octet Challenge Roster.
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