Third Day Kayaking Brown's Canyon & Inside the Dagger G-Ride

My comfort level in Zoom Flume is increasing noticeably.

My third day in Brown's Canyon was great fun, even though I had an unfortunate swim. I made it smoothly for the third time through Zoom Flume, the longest single Brown's Canyon rapid, but I didn't fare so well in the Staircase rapids further downstream.

Staircase is a series of 7 rapids in close proximity to one another. It is said to be a bad place to swim because there is no calm area to get out of the river in between the rapids. You end up trapped in the river swimming through multiple drops. After being flipped and then swimming, I think I only went through 2 or 3 of the Staircase drops before I was fortunate enough to make it to the bank. Thankfully, there were plenty of people in my group to chase after my boat.

This probably ranks as my scariest swim to date. Through the big drops, there were a few major boulder issues and significant consequences to worry about. Also, the waves I was being flushed through were so large that I was completely submerged for significant moments, even with my PFD (flotation vest) fighting to keep me above water.

So, why did I swim?
I am sure it was because I was bringing my head up (bad technique) on all of my roll attempts. After several attempts and with the fear of going through more big rapids upside down, I bailed. I am still not at peace with myself upside down in rapids after my ordeals in Shoshone.

I am disappointed in my roll performance today, but I won't let it disturb me too much. It was still a great day and I am sure I will resolve my mental issues eventually.

	My slightly altered Dagger G-Ride 6.2 cockpit.	Homemade foam foot insert.

I lost my foot foam piece in the swim that occurred in the Staircase rapids of Brown's Canyon. The foam was washed out of the kayak. It is my fault for not having it taped in securely. I assembled another foot insert from some blue foam I had at home. Actually, there is a more sturdy and adjustable optional plastic foot rest that comes with the boat, but I cannot fit my long legs and giant feet in this version of the G-Ride if I use it.

I chose the smaller 6.2 Dagger G-Ride instead of the 6.5 because I wanted the increased performance opportunities of a smaller boat. The G-Ride 6.2 is the only small boat I have paddled that does not cause significant pain to my feet. It has increased volume up front which results in more leg and foot room.

Modified camera bag and knee brace additions

The new Dagger kayaks have a nifty air bladder system for tightening yourself into the cockpit. In the photo on the left, you can see where I rigged a bag to hold my digital camera on the center track just in front of the red air bladder squeeze bulb. Also in this photo, you can see one of the grey knee blocks I bought for the boat. The knee blocks help lock your legs into the kayak by wedging your knees against the bottom of the installed blocks. I really like the extra snug feeling and sense of immediate control.

I will add a kayak review entry later in 2004 with my impressions of the different boats I have paddled, along with a more thorough explanation as to why I selected the Dagger G-Ride.
-Dan