Our Special River Jockey Box

The rafts are filling up, but there’s still space for you to hop (pun intended) on board!

• Deschutes Brewery – July 26-29, 2012
• Double Mountain Brewery – August 9-12, 2012
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – August 23-26, 2012

The Author Rowing Pins and Clips on California's Tuolumne River

First, let’s start with some history. Oar locks are an ancient technology that go way back to before whitewater rafting became a sport. The first oar locks were made of wooden Vs that a wooden oar rested on. Pins and clips were designed specifically for whitewater rafts in the 70s and consist of a vertical pin attached to the boat and a clip attached to the oar. Second, let’s delve into some vocabulary:

Shipping Oars: To the boys at Sawyer, this means putting them in a box and giving them to the UPS guy. To the rest of us it means moving the handles backwards and the blades forward so that the oars tuck up against the raft.

Shipping Oars on the Tuolumne River in California

Whitewater Pole Vault: When the oar twists in the lock and gets washed under the downstream tube and you look like a dork.

Flying V (aka Curious George): When the oar hits a downstream rock, gets stuck, and the boat wraps around the oar. This usually leads to foul language and something breaking.

Feathering: Adjusting the angle of the oar with oar locks. This gives you a better feel for the water as you row.

Flying Feather: When you “yard” on your improperly feathered oar and, expecting resistance, are surprisingly greeted with nothing, landing you on your ass in the back of the raft.

Yard: To pull really hard on one or both oars, almost blindly, often in desperation, often necessarily. From the sailing term “yard” for a horizontal spar that supports a main sail (and bears a lot of weight and stress).

Crabbing: Catching your blade on the surface of the water during the return stroke and splashing the paddle raft behind you.

Battle Shipping: Skimming the top of the water with your blades as you forcefully ship them so as to splash a paddle raft.

Oar Locks

Oar Locks on a Double Cataraft

Oar locks are preferred by many because they allow the rower to adjust the angle of the blade in the water. You can also cut the wind when the oar is out of the water, which makes for a slightly more efficient stroke.

When your oars catch funny currents underwater, oar locks allow you to twist the oar, thereby reducing the chance the oar is unwillingly pulled from your hand. They also allow for a sculling stroke, skimming the blade over the surface of turbulent water and adjusting the angle to vary resistance.

Using Oar Locks at High Water on the Main Salmon

Another advantage of oar locks is that you can move the oar in and out laterally so you can row while standing. This allows you to change the balance point, which reduces the weight of the oar beyond the locks. Another nice thing is that you can pull the oars in to get through narrow spots, however, you still need to ship the oars when immediately next to a rock (or other obstacle).

Standing While Rowing Above Tappan Falls

The downside of oar locks is that you must control the angle of your blade. In chaotic whitewater you don’t always have the time to adjust the angle and the time delay can make a difference in challenging whitewater. Since you control the angle of the oar, you may not be pulling with full strength. Some people mitigate this disadvantage by using an oval grip or other method to ensure their grip of the oars is at the correct angle to allow for maximum force of the blade.

Using Oar Locks on Idaho's South Fork of the Salmon

Another problem with locked oars is that when the oar hits a rock, it can fully pop out of the oar lock and will take some time to get back in the lock and be ready to row. Of course with pins and clips, the oar is more likely break when this happens.

“One advantage of oar locks is the simplicity of the design. Less parts and mechanical components means less equipment malfunction and repair. Regarding health and safety, I think a fixed oar presents more potential for injury and broken oars. When you have a lot of momentum and dip an oar in an eddy you can pull your arm right out of the socket. And if you start to run over your downstream oar you are more likely to break a fixed oar than an open one. So you could say that oar locks are better for remote wilderness trips. In terms of elegance of design, Steve Jobs would definely have mandated the oar lock.

I also like to bring the handles in and row standing up, which helps with boat scouting, boater’s butt, and ergonomics. In fact, I rarely row with the donuts on the locks. Bringing them in allows me to hold the handle or the shaft, and adjust the stress on my hands and muscles. For a working guide making these small changes can keep you healthy and extend your season and career.” Hata Hill, legendary ECHO guide

Oar Lock Recommendations: For rivers with lots of flat water and/or heavy winds. Better for finesse boaters.

Pins and Clips

Pins and Clips - Photo Courtesy of ARTA River Trips

The biggest advantage of pins and clips is that your oar will maintain its position and blade angle. This is great for more challenging whitewater and big, violent whitewater where you are likely to be thrown around the boat. Knowing that the oar will be in place when you drop it in the water allows for a quicker oar stroke and allows you to quickly “yard” on the oar with full strength.

Using Pins and Clips in the Hole at Clavey Falls

Another advantage in more difficult whitewater is that an oar pinned in place can be used as a stabilization tool for the rower as they punch through huge waves or over big drops. Pins and clips allow the rower to hold on to his/her oars at all times. Oars with pins and clips are also more likely to be useable after a reflip.

Using Oars for Stability at Lewis's Leap on Cherry Creek

"Bus Stop" - 1 Person Gets Off, the Bus Moves On

Pins and clips are also considered safer for oar assisted paddle boats since the oar is still held in place after it pops out. Even when the pin is out of the clip, it still can be used since it is held by the white plastic retainer. An oar can be put back in place with one hand instead of the two hands it takes to replace an oar when using oar locks. This reduces the opportunity for an oar to be wildly flying around in a rapid and hit somebody.

Oar Assisted Paddle Boat

One of the downsides of pins and clips is that when going past rocks you’re forced to either ship the oars or throw them forward; you can’t pull the oars into the boats like you can with oar locks. Also, since the oars are more rigidly attached, you are more likely to break oars using pins and clips, and those breaks tend to be more violent.

Pins and clips can also take quite a bit of tinkering to get them just right. You need a nut driver to adjust the hose clamps in order to adjust the position and angle of the oars. If the hose clamps aren’t tight, then they can slip mid rapid and you’ll have a hard time adjusting them back quickly.

Siberian Pins and Clips

Another disadvantage is that you can’t feather the oars, so you have less finesse. If your oar catches strong underwater currents, it could be ripped from your hand or it could pull your arm out of your socket if you’re gripping it tightly.

“No argument that oar-locks win the aesthetics, simplicity and finesse contests; but when it comes to the right-here, right-now, this stroke has to be perfect and powerful and productive (and I might need a little more help staying in the raft) contest; I think pins and clips win. If rowing is an art-form, chisel with locks; if rowing is a job, blast with clips. I admire Steve Jobs but I wouldn’t have hired him to move a piano.” Mikey Bigwater, legendary ARTA guide

Pins and Clips Recommendations: Huge water and Class V when oar power and attachment is key. Better for power boaters.

Oar Rights

Oar Rights Keep the Oar Angle Constant

Some people think that oar rights are the best of both worlds. These are plastic spacers that hold an oar’s angle in the oar lock. You get the predictability of the pins and clips with the simplicity of the oar locks. You can also pull the oars in to avoid obstacles.

Some people think they’re the worst of both worlds because you lose the ability to feather the oars and the stability of the oar along its length, which can help keep you in the boat.

Conclusion

The key to choosing the right oar retention system is to decide which things are important to you on the river and to try both out. We can talk about this more over a beer. I’ll have a lager, not one of those pissy ales, thank you!

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Thank you to Steve Welch and Hata Hill for their thoughts on this debate.

This is a lively topic and we’d love to hear what you think below!

Billy's Alpaca Packed Tight on the Chetco River

My first design goal was to make the boat as maneuverable as possible, so this inflatable kayak is shorter and wider much like modern hardshell kayaks. It has a blunt end that will make it better for running large drops and more predictable while running big holes.

The SOTAR ATV Inflatable Kayak

The second design goal was to design a boat that could easily carry several days of overnight gear. This was accomplished by choosing larger 12″ tubes for flotation and stability while loaded. The blunt ends also allow more interior space and therefore more volume for gear. The tubes are full size all the way around the boat, so gear can be packed in the ends of the boat and remain stable.

SOTAR ATV Drawing

We chose PVC for the material to make it less expensive, lighter, and easier to repair. To further reduce weight (and expense), there is only one air chamber for the outside tubes. This is not allowed on some permitted rivers, so SOTAR can make this boat with an extra valve and baffles upon request.

There are a few other advantages of this design. Since this kayak is designed like a raft, the fabric is cut in smaller pieces. It’s much more efficient to cut from the raw material, one of the biggest expenses in boat design. This boat is also designed to pack small for flying on airplanes or hiking into remote places. There are small d-rings inside the boat made for tying down dry bags and other gear. We’re also adding bomber handles to the bow and stern that will make it easier to portage, even with a full load of gear.

We’re working on a slightly larger design for bigger paddlers and longer multi-day trips called the ATV+. We’ll have more info soon!

You’ll start your day by parking where Lost Lake Road crosses the Lake Branch. From here, walk downstream and put-in on the Lake Branch about a 100 feet before the confluence with the West Fork.

Putting in on the Lake Branch West Fork of the Hood

The first few rapids are Class IIIs, making for a good warm up. You’ll soon notice the beginning of the first basalt gorge, which has a few fun Class IV rapids.

Class IV Rapid in the First Basalt Gorge

After the basalt gorge, the rapids ease up but are still plenty of fun. You’ll need to pay attention because there is a mandatory portage around a fish ladder. At river mile 3 you’ll see a horizon line at the end of a long straight away. At medium flows (up to 7 feet) it’s pretty easy to stop on river left to portage around the fish ladder. At higher flows be sure to pay close attention so you don’t miss it.

Portaging the Fish Ladder is Easier in the Snow

After the fish ladder the rapids start picking up in difficulty and there are many challenging Class IV rapids. You enter the second basalt gorge after passing Green Point Creek, which enters on river left.

Low Water (4.5 feet) on the West Fork of the Hood

The last rapid (I call it Bitch Slap because it always tosses me around!) goes under a tall bridge with tight canyon walls.

"Bitch Slap" is the Last Rapid on the West Fork

Right after this, you’ll pull over on river right to avoid going over Punchbowl Falls, a 10 foot waterfall with a deep, nasty hole. The take-out on river right is a good leg work out if you’re kayaking or a royal pain if you’re rafting. If you have rafts, I suggest running a 200 foot rope up to a pulley on a tree and have someone pull downhill on the rope. At the same time, have a few people walk the raft up the hill. For detailed directions about slightly more complicated system for rafts, check out this West Fork trip report.

Boat Carry Above Punchbowl Falls on the West Fork of the Hood

Punchbowl Falls can be portaged by kayakers on the right or lined by rafters on the right if you want to continue down and take out at Tucker Bridge or in town.

Logistics: From Hood River, get yourself to Dee. You’ll cross the East Fork of the Hood here and take your first right. Stay to the right through the intersection and in about a minute you’ll see a parking area for take-out on the right. If you cross another bridge you’ve gone too far.

From take-out drive back the way you came and take a right at the first intersection (Green Road). Stay on Green Road until you hit Lost Lake Road, which you’ll take all the way back to put-in. You’ll see a small parking area and gate after Lost Lake Road crosses the Lake Branch. Park here and go boating!

At Put-in for the Lake Branch West Fork of the Hood River

The Lake Branch starts with a couple miles of Class III rapids that are a perfect warm-up. As the canyon narrows, the first big rapid is Helmet Peeler, which starts with a stout hole and ends with a narrow chute. It is easier to scout on the right, which is also the best side to portage using a fun seal-launch from a mossy rock.

Chip Just Above "Helmet Peeler"

Soon after Helmet Peeler comes Boat Beater, a rocky rapid with a burly line on the right side. We decided to spare our boats the beating, portage the very top, and run an easier chute on the left side.

Chip at the Bottom of "Boat Beater"

There is a steep rapid just below that we checked out while scouting Boat Beater.

Scouting the Rapid Below "Boat Beater"

The canyon grows very deep and narrow, and was amazingly beautiful with the last rays of November sun peeking through the clouds. The last big rapid is Right or Left, but at the low water, we only had the right option. It starts with an 8-foot drop followed by a slalom between a shallow rock and an undercut rock.

Heather Herbeck Running Right at "Right or Left"

The runout from Right or Left had a fun boof on the right hand side. Except for one small chute, the remaining rapids were Class II/III to the confluence with the West Fork of the Hood River.

Logistics: It’s fun to do the West Fork after the Lake Branch, so you can leave a car at the West Fork take-out at Punchbowl Falls. If you’re just doing the Lake Branch, then leave a car at the put-in for the West Fork on Lost Lake Road where the Lake Branch meets the West Fork.

To reach put-in, drive a couple miles up National Forest Develop Road 13. Take a left on the dirt road after crossing Diver’s Creek. It’s a short drive down to the river.

Having Lunch Along the Pristine Chetco River

The Chetco River is seriously threatened by proposals to mine almost half its length for gold. The mining would take place right in the river, using gasoline powered suction dredges weighing up to a ton. It would be devastating for the wild, free-flowing Chetco, its eco-system and its salmon and steelhead runs.

You can help by writing the BLM to support the “Chetco River Mineral Withdrawal In Aid of Legislation.” The proposal, would provide temporary protection while the U.S. Congress considers the permanent protection offered by the Chetco River Protection Act recently introduced by Oregon’s Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representatives Peter DeFazio and Earl Blumenauer.

How to Help!

This is a river that I truly love and I’m asking you to consider writing a letter to show your support for this temporary protection. To learn more about these protections and how you can help, please visit the Save Our Chetco River web site. You can send an automated letter on the Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands web site.

Kayaking on the Chetco River through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness

May 2012

Date

Days

Youth*

Adult*

Notes

May 5 – 8

4

$795

$895

May 10 – 13

4

$795

$895

May 25 – 28

4

$795

$895

June 2012

Date

Days

Youth*

Adult*

Notes

June 7 – 10

4

$895

$895

Rowing School

June 14 – 17

4

$795

$895

June 21 – 24

4

$795

$895

June 28 – July 1

4

$795

$895

July 2012

Date

Days

Youth*

Adult*

Notes

July 5 – 8

4

$795

$895

July 12 – 15

4

$795

$895

July 19 – 22

4

$895

$895

Rowing School

July 26 – 29

4

$895

$895

Featuring Deschutes Brewery

August 2012

Date

Days

Youth*

Adult*

Notes

Aug 2 – 5

4

$795

$895

Aug 9 – 12

4

$895

$895

Featuring Double Mountain Brewery

Aug 16 – 19

4

$895

$895

Rowing School

Aug 23 – 26

4

$895

$895

Featuring Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Aug 30 – Sept 2

4

$795

$895

September 2012

Date

Days

Youth*

Adult*

Notes

Sept 1 – 4

4

$795

$895

Sept 6 – 9

4

$795

$895

Sept 11 – 14

4

$795

$895

* plus $10 per person USFS and BLM Recreation Fee

Camping Along the Rogue River