GI-NORMOUS WATER!

The flows in the Pueblo Whitewater Park have been "Hooooooge" of late.

A combination of warm weather and rainfall upstream has made for some major water days in the Pueblo Whitewater park. The flows have been growing since late Monday and early Wednesday. Monday's 850 cfs peaked at approximately 3,500 cfs! This some pretty amazing stuff to the park.

The features are transformed into waves and offer a very good opportunity for aerial maneuvers should a boater have the strength, skill and cahones to even get into the feature. There is little or no eddy service at this level, yet there is a great deal to chose from should you be able to climb aboard any of the 8 features.

I was at the park this morning prior to going to work. I photographed local paddler and fire fighter, Mike Hammond, as he paddled the park. I have to admit I would have like to been able to spend some time in the park as well, but I just didn't have the time. Mike attempted to paddle into several of the features with limited success.

Drop number three and drop number 6 offered the best chance to do some surfing. I have to tell you that if I had the skill to loop this would be the time to get in the water as the foam piles grew and the water in the drops got deeper and faster. Perfect conditions to loop. That is, if I knew how.

As of this post the flows are beginning to subside and the water has already dropped into 2,800 cfs range. I am sure that we will have surges like this again due to increased snowmelt and rains upstream. Keep your fingers crossed.

Now if we could just get the city to finish placing rocks and do some more grouting on the bank river right to help fight the erosion that occurs at this level.

ARKANSAS RIVER FEST A SUCCESS!

A huge "Thank you" to everyone who joined us at the Pueblo Paddler's Arkansas River Fest Saturday (May 12th) in the Pueblo Whitewater Park.

Michael Palmer (looping here) took the top honors in the expert category of the rescheduled Ice Breaker Rodeo while Jeb Stogdell was the intermediate winner, and Bryan Kelsen squeaked by the tough competition in the beginner category to take the top spot. The rodeo was held in drop number 6 which has a friendly foam pile at 1000 cfs however it is a bit shallow making it a struggle to throw loops or other aerial manuvers.

This year's event got a real boost as name sponsor, UBS Financial came on board as a name sponsor.Several local sponsors also played a big part in the success of the event. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to make this happen.

Greg Smith, owner of The Green Light Tavern, teamed up with Red Bull to provide fish tacos and energy drink during the afternoon's festivities. The tacos were a big hit and Greg's culinary creations are welcome at future Pueblo Paddlers events!

The Pueblo Paddler's kicker was, (at least in the beginning), the most popular attraction of the day.The structure was a first for the event. There were a few grumbles that it lacked the excitement that boaters had hoped for, but most realized that it was a feature that will improve over time as the builders will learn from this and strive to give the kicker a bit more "kick".

Kicker, the sequel is scheduled to make an appearance at the July 7th Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon. So mark that date on your calendar if you'd like to come to the PWP and "Fly Pueblo" on the "New & Improved Kicker.

Another big "thank you" goes out to Alan Ward and the Pueblo Board of Water Works for coming through with the 1000 cfs of water during the Saturday event. The river above the Pueblo Dam was flowing in the 700 cfs range and the board was able to suppliment the flows by moving some of their water starting Saturday morning. The gesture was greatly appreciated!

As mentioned above, the next event on the calendar for the Pueblo Whitewater Park is the Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon to benefit First Descents. Check out this link for all the latest information.(http://pueblopaddleathon.blogspot.com)

A KICKER IN THE PWP!

Pueblo Paddler, Mike Hammond, takes to the sky as the first to take a trip down the newest drop in the Pueblo Whitewater Park Friday. (The kicker has been placed between drop number 2 and 3. You will need to sign a waiver to get your chance to get some Arkansas Air!)

Members of the club spent several evenings and afternoons sawing, hammering and assembling the kicker to be used as part of Saturday's Arkansas River Festival and Ice Breaker Rodeo. Using lumber donated by Rush's Lumber and lattice purchased from a local big box store the kicker was completed today just in time for Mike to get some air.

After a couple tests with an empty boat, Mike decided to pilot his Jackson down the kicker. The first run was a bit on the tentative side, but after that first run Mike was all about the speed and the flight.

I am really looking forward to Saturday to see boaters go bigger and then land like Mike did today. Not only did his entire boat submerge, but so did he. Mike, his boat, and paddle were completely under the surface upon landing. Very cool!

I hope you can come out and take part in the fun.

I could just kick myself!

Today I got up and looked at the gauge to check the flows in the park. They were just under 800cfs and I thought it might be a good opportunity to get in some morning paddling. Then I looked out doors and it was overcast and a bit on the chilly side. So I figured I'd just ride my spinning bike and go another time.

Then about 10 minutes into my ride the worst thing that could've happened, happened. The sun came out. Ugh! I stayed with my ride, showered and headed off to work and all I could do is shake my head.

Later I got to drive past the park and saw that my worst fears had been confirmed. The sun was out, the water was up and I was stuck at work while others got to paddle the water I should have been in. The only thing that could have been worse would have been if the water levels were to go up again.

They did. Ugh #2.

As I write this the levels in the park are just over 900cfs! Now if only this would hold out. I am not sure if it will, but I can guarantee that I will be watching both the gauge and the weather when I climb out of bed in the morning. I sure don't want this to happen twice!

Drop number 7 is turning into a feature with a decent foampile. Now if I can just get off my butt and get down to the river.