The Action Paddling Guide to RI Whitewater

Shannock Falls

Action Paddling Kayak is a long time advocate of educating, preserving and exploring Rhode Ilsands beautiful but limited whitewater rivers. Listed here are mainly river areas that offer a level of excitement for accomplished paddlers who want to play in the rapids, hone paddle strokes and manuvers, and enjoy the beauty that Rhode Island whitewater rivers have to offer. The Idea of developing a full fledge Whitewater Paddlers Park (RIPP) is on the table with a few good year round prospect sites in mind..more blogging to come on that. Stay tuned

Whitewater is limited in Rhode Island, BUT the state has a few real gems, suitable for training, playboating and slalom training.

1. Shannock Falls, Charlestown RI:

An incredible whitewater resource, A half mile section offering 8 foot waterfall drop to gentle training waves, A staircase Class 3 drop that offer 3 play holes and waves depending on the level, the run is wooded and the water is clean, There is great park like parking area, with boat width trails leading to river, generally paddlers “Park and Play, either walking thru town a half mile or so up to Horsehoe Falls, paddling down from there or putting in at the top of the “Shannock Falls” and running over and over again. The river is fun down to 100 CFS on the Wood River JCT USGS Gage, It gets frisky at med levels 300 to 700 CFS with many fine surfing spots and pushy water, and above 700, its pure fun, a few big waves keep you busy all day long.

2. Stepping Stone Falls, West Greenwich RI

This is the Upper Wood River, on Falls River Road. There is a parking area next to river. the river starts out with a solid Class 3+ series of jagged rocks, undercuts and shallow water to make for an exciting run, after the falls, continue thru swamp and look for outflow to the center left, from here the river gets quite amusing as she flows thru a tight river bed with a series of fun drops and nice scenery, watch for wood in here. You can run main falls over and over, if you chose to paddle to Austin Farm Road you will need a shuttle or walk back, this section runs in spring and after heavy rains, no true gage for this one, but if its spring and everything seems up, its probally a go.

Stepping Stone Falls- low water

STAY TUNED FOR ADDITIONS,UPDATES and NEWS

We are gathering better pictures and location information

 

www.actionpaddling.com

RI has some of the best surfing on the east coast of the USA, With over 10 million people surrounding the state..its no surprise it can get busy at the break…Paddle Surfers have to pay particular attention to the crowds as we are more susceptible to making contact with board surfers, swimmers other paddlers….We surf…we are surfers, and don’t let anyone say different, If you surf in the world-class areas like Hawaii, Australia  you find that paddle surfing is very much accepted and encouraged,,,the key is to know how to surf…the key..

If you paddle out into the lineup and just grab every wave, not working the lineup with other surfers…can be problematic to say the least…if you are new to the sport..there are great surfing areas in Rhode Island that have few people and good waves to learn on…if you think you are a pro..then get out there and surf! …if your thought was wrong you may find you in the wrong place at the wrong time, hitting a person in the surf zone is dangerous, as not so many surfers have been to the Surf Churches of the world…and think a board is all surfing is…so when your big heavy kayak  is in the lineup..YOU have a responsibility to surf and do it right,  KNOW what the lineup is..take great care when deciding to “GO”….ASK YOURSELF..is there a crowd in the dump zone?…can you avoid them?..is it time to move on?…all questions that need to be answered in a moments notice,  BUT don’t be afraid to surf..get out there.. we need safety in numbers…group up with other kayak surfers if possible,  a few loops and the surfers tend to get away from that flying debris called a kayak,  you can create a kayakers only zone..good for us good for them…more coming on surfing the line up and dealing with conflict…and a lot more come on style, technique, where to go and more! watch my blog!!  www.actionpaddling.com

Ready for some Action Paddling antics??

Surfing, playboating, whitewater parks, and foolish paddlers…and their crazy antics…….more to come