Searching for spring on the Haw

River:Haw
Skill:Intermediate
Trip Date:04/06/2019
Written by: , Posted: April 6, 2019

* Sections: Middle and Lower

* Length: 5.3 miles

* Level: 2,760 cfs to 3,150 cfs (USGS: 6 feet to 6.2 feet; PADDLING: roughly 1 foot)

* Paddlers: William Holman (K-1), Nate Taylor (K-1), Eliot Mintzer (K-1), John McDonald (K-1), John Kriener (K-1), and Bob Brueckner  (K-1).

 

I'll have to revise my window for the best water levels at the Super-Secret Whitewater Training Course after today's trip. From now on the range begins at 900 cfs and goes up to at least 2,760 cfs.

Paddlers who want to practice eddy turns, peelouts, S-turns and ferries should try the course at 900 cfs to 1,500 cfs. For those who want to surf and work on maneuevers in pushier water, go all the way to 2,760 cfs.

By the way, the course is hiding in plain sight. Start at the base of Bynum Dam, go under the pedestrian bridge, cross the river from right to left and finish about 300 yards downstream of the Bynum Mill access. You can either continue down the Middle Haw or go for another round.

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The day began overcast with the sun peeking through the clouds every now and then. But winter would creep back despite the pastel colors of budding trees decorating the river banks. Where was spring, anyway? Cue the jazz standard "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most" to set the mood.

Despite the absence one of the desired season, we were treated to a river that was not the color of mud. It had a greenish tint. You could see rocks lurking under the surface, plotting to strike the closest hull, hungry for a stray paddle blade. This was unusual.

And there was of course, plenty of water. Rising water, too. We surfed and eddy-hopped our way down from the Bynum Dam to the pedestrian bridge where William Holman had a brief encounter with a bridge pier. Fortunately he avoided swimming. William had a couple of other opportunities to hold deep and meaningful conversations with fish, but he managed to remain upright.

Nate Taylor was our surfing champion and managed to find prime waves before anyone else.

We dined and rested on the rocks at the Lunchstop Cafe just downstream of the U.S. 64 bridge. After Nate checked gauge on his phone, we hopped in our boats and headed for Ocean Boulevard.

Somewhere between Gabriel's Bend and the take-out, the sun made a warm and much appreciated appearance. It finally felt like spring. Could it actually be April? Could I finally wear a shortie drytop?

Ahhhh.

 

Bob Brueckner