Oct 9

Oct 9 Soul Rafter - Yosemite Valley Rafting

Paddling in the Park

The Wild and Scenic Merced River through Yosemite National Park in California is possibly one of the prettiest rivers you could ever run and until only a few years ago it was closed off to boaters. It was ILLEGAL. So when we finally caught the water high enough to run this section through Yosemite Valley, we had to get on it. Fighting for a parking spot, we blew up our boat, hopped on and had a crowd-free good time.

This is the sixth episode of Soul Rafter's "18 rivers in 2018," a series in which Rafting Magazine Ambassador Nick Prete attempts to whitewater raft 18 new rivers in 2018.

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In our latest article (link in bio) we're talking about that strange popcorny smell that seems to spring up right when it gets warm. Fungus and bacteria take a huge toll on your body and your gear. So when your buddy be like, bro you stink, take that seriously because it can quickly lead to some equipment and medical issues.

In today's quick lesson, we're talking about how to achieve a little more power out of your strokes when you're hitting a big wave. Giving the thwart a little kick when you're pushing through a wave can give you a bit of an edge in your paddling. To do this effectively, you want to make sure you are really biting into the water with your blade and planting a good forward stroke. Remember, it is about moving the boat, not the paddle or the water. If you have a well coordinated team, you can do this in any paddle configuration to gain a little more of a push over short distances. If you want to learn more, check out our beginner and intermediate rafting series at the link in our bio.

In today's quick lesson, we're talking about layered safety. This is where we engage in safety practices with redundant backups in place. This can be as simple as 2 people in different places with throw bags, or a little more complex with shore based safety and a raft in an eddy below the shore based safety to help pick up swimmers. It's especially important coming out of winter when you may have boaters who haven't paddled in a while to just make sure we're watching each other's backs super well. Stay safe out there, friends!

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Oct 9 Soul Rafter - Yosemite Valley Rafting

Paddling in the Park

Oct 11 Destination: Nepal - Upper Seti River

Oct 4 The Gear Shed - Immersion Research Devils Club Pants