Pikey from England gets to run the Green with Clay and Brad Sutton in the Mega-Rocker

Pikey from England gets to run the Green with Clay and Brad
Sutton in the Mega-Rocker

October 4, 2006

By Pikey

Today I woke up hoping to run the Green with Clay Wright and Brad Sutton, with an early awakening at 6.30am and a quick phone call the hoping turned into a happening. We packed up and headed for the Green, late on arrival our group met Chan Jones and got changed. This was going to be mine and Chan’s first run of the Green. Plus my first time paddling a big boat down a river let alone a creek.

Our posse hiked fast down to the put in, and then ended up being last on the water with knowing the levels was soon to drop. Our job was to make it straight down the river, and simply to keep paddling, follow Clay’s line and try to keep up. With great confidence from me and Chan we bashed through everything. Me and Chan got out to scout Gorilla, watched Clay ace his line and Brad run a sweet line, Brad then showing how to pull back loops in the speed trap. I then got excited to run the waterfall.

I was feeling untouchable, with the new “Mega Rocker” being my first big boat experience I was so pleased with how safe I felt in the boat which was great for confidence. Chan ran an amazing line. I on the other hand ending up plugging the notch which spun me too the right hand wall on the downstream low of the micro eddy, I looked over my shoulder and saw the edge of the monstrous drop so I decided just to spin it as quickly as possible and pull it left, I ran it slightly to right but tucked hard to miss the right side wall and straightened out stopping myself from ending upside down. It was far the best drop out of the 5 I’ve ever ran. Our posse finally caught up with Shane Benedict guiding his posse from Huge Experience, a school for whitewater kayaking. Brad and Clay ran Sunshine which was low and losing water fast, myself and Chan was happy with Gorilla for a first run and skipped Sunshine.

We then proceeded to the take out with the other group running some sweet lines on the way down. The vibe at the end of the river was fantastic with everyone having a great morning on the river and looking forward to a good breakfast.
Personally I would have to say a big thank you to Brad and Clay for running me down the River, I felt so safe and confident I finally ran a Classic river. It was such a cool experience. Big well done to Chan as well, we rocked!

Pikey