Adirondack Sports July 2023

PADDLING Continued from page 31
or floods can change the shape of rapids,
thus vastly altering their classification.
The classifications are as follows:
Class I – Moving water with a few riffles
and small waves. Few or no obstructions.
Class II – Easy rapids with smaller
waves, clear channels that are obvious
without scouting. Some maneuvering
might be required. Class III – Rapids with
high, irregular waves. Narrow passages
that often require precise maneuvering.
Classic IV – Long, difficult rapids with
constricted passages that often require
complex maneuvering in turbulent water.
The course may be hard to determine,
and scouting is often necessary. Classic
5 – Extremely difficult, long, and very violent
rapids with highly congested routes,
which should be scouted from shore.
Rescue conditions are difficult, and there
is a significant hazard to life in the event
of a mishap. Class VI – The difficulties of
Class V carried to the extreme. Nearly
impossible and very dangerous. For teams
of experts only. Involves risk of life. Class
VI rapids are not commercially raftable.
Rivers and creeks can be incredible
natural forces subject to change at
any time. Fortunately, there are digital
resources available from USGS, NOAA
and others that let you monitor the conditions
often in real time to help plan
your trips. Understanding the classification
systems and the factors that can
alter them leads to more fun on the water
and a safer experience. With respect to
safety, paddlers should not paddle alone,
they should always wear a personal flotation
device (PFD), and should not
overestimate their skill level and should
always be mindful of weather and river
classifications.
◀ ED MARTUSCELLO
TEACHING ME HOW TO ROLL
IN THE FULTON COUNTY
YMCA LAST WINTER.
Local Places to Paddle – Within a
one- to two-hour radius of the Capital
Region and Adirondacks we are fortunate
to have some fantastic whitewater
resources. This is just a short list of local
paddling opportunities:
Hudson River – This iconic waterway
offers experts and beginners alike some of
the most incredible whitewater opportunities.
The Upper Hudson, including the
Indian River, has been a top destination
for expert kayakers and whitewater rafting
companies for decades. Trips and outfitters
often originate out of the North Creek
area and start on the Indian River which
then joins the Hudson. This 14-mile paddle
through “The Gorge,” which consists
of class III-IV rapids can be an incredible
experience that creates lifelong memories.
For beginners, the section between
North River and North Creek is a good
option, with easy access just above the
rest area on NY Route 28 in North River.
This section of the river provides about
five miles of slow-moving water, with a
few Class I-II rapids, and some incredible
scenery – which no doubt will make
you want to come back for more. At the
right water levels, the next section of the
Hudson between North Creek, Riparious
and Glen offers about 14 miles of Class
I-III rapids. There is easy access to the
river from North Creek behind the downtown
pavilion. This section is livelier and
has some incredible scenery.
Schroon River – Down the road from
the Hudson, but still part of its big brother’s
tributary. The Schroon with the right
water levels can also offer some beautiful
views and lively Class I-III rapids.
The 6.5-mile section below the dam in
Starbuckville to the takeout at Riverbank
◀ SALLY DAWES ON THE
POULTNEY RIVER. SHE’S
AN AMAZING TEACHER
AND EXPERT PADDLER.
just north of Exit 24 of
the Northway takes you
through “Adirondack
scenery,” while also
offering some exhilarating
rapids. Water levels
usually remain high
enough until Memorial
Day and after significant
rain events to
run this section of the
Schroon. When you’re
done on the river, complete
your Adirondack
experience by visiting
the Crossroads Country
Store in Chestertown, The Hub in Brant
Lake, or Adirondack General Store in
Adirondack.
Sacandaga River – Another river with
many branches that’s also a tributary
of the Hudson River is the Sacandaga.
With the right conditions, it offers many
whitewater opportunities. One of the
most popular, and reliable, due to dam
releases is the Class I-III section between
the Stewart’s Dam and the Hudson River.
From the Sacandaga Outdoor Center in
Hadley, kayaking, rafting, and tubing can
all be experienced in a family-friendly
atmosphere. But don’t let this three-mile
stretch of river, which can be accessed
just below the Stewart’s Dam, fool you.
There are a few very powerful play waves
on this stretch, and capsizing can lead to a
long swim especially at the bottom of this
run. If this occurs, you may find yourself
starting your trip on the Sacandaga, and
ending it several hundred yards down the
Hudson River!
Deerfield River – This diverse and historical
river in our backyard runs for 76
miles from southern Vermont through
northwestern Massachusetts all the way
to the Connecticut River. The popular Fife
Brook section of the river is located in
Charlemont, Mass., and is mostly beginner-friendly
with Class I-II rapids – perfect
for practicing and honing skills. There is
also one Class III rapid called “Zoar Gap,”
which if not respected will send paddlers for
an exuberant swim. On weekends, onlookers
often can be seen on the road above the
Gap offering encouragement to those about
to run it, and to witness the carnage that
ensues to those that “swim” the gap.
The Fife Brook section of the river
offers over eight miles of paddling with
JULY 2023 33
spectacular views, through pristine wilderness
and many deep valleys. This is
also a dam release, popular waterway
pursued by several outdoor outfitters for
fishing, rafting, tubing and kayaking. For
a much more challenging experience just
upstream of the Fife Brook, the Monroe
Bridge section of the Deerfield (also called
the “Dryway”), is another popular option
for more expert paddlers. This section of
the river, which is just shy of three miles
long, offers Class III-IV level rapids and is
also controlled by dam releases. If you’re
interested in these rivers, consider one
of the local outfitters for a trip, including
Zoar Outdoor, Crabapple Whitewater, and
Berkshire Outfitters.
Moose and Beaver Rivers – Although
not generally for beginners, I would
be remiss if I didn’t mention these two
fabled New York whitewater destinations.
Each of these rivers offers some of the
best scenery and most exhilarating and
demanding Class IV-V rapids around. If
interested, Alex Barham of Cazenovia, has
some amazing online YouTube videos.
In addition, the annual Beaver Festival
attracts hundreds of the paddlers to this
area on Labor Day weekend.
My first brush with whitewater kayaking
was over 35 years ago. I was on a whitewater
rafting trip through the Hudson
Gorge with friends from high school,
and amongst the flotilla of over 20 rafts,
there were about a dozen kayakers. As we
entered the Indian River, which is about
2.5 miles upstream of the Hudson, I was
in awe of the sheer beauty of where I was
– and the power of the water – and it only
got better as the trip advanced through
the “Gorge.” It was during this trip that I
hatched the idea of someday running this
in a kayak. I’m not sure if this will ever
happen, but that’s OK.
As Norm Labbe of Clifton Park, a
very experienced paddler mentioned, “It
always allows you to challenge yourself as
much as you like. Some paddlers are comfortable
with more challenge and others
with less. Not everyone will want to aspire
to run the more difficult runs, and that’s
fine.” If you have ever thought about trying
whitewater kayaking, my advice would be
to go for it. It has been really fun being a
beginner. It has been scary at times, but
every outing has been super exciting, and
I keep meeting amazing people along the
way – which I think may be the best part!
Bob Frank (jfrank10@nycap.rr.com)
lives in Niskayuna and is a lifetime cyclist
who enjoys many outdoor activities.