Kayaking, floating the fine line between control and chaos. There is nothing quite like the feeling of sitting in an eddy at the top of a rapid, staring downstream toward a horizon line that hides the foaming cauldron of water below, wondering what the outcome will be once the decision is made to roll over the lip of the drop. Rapid names like Four Deaths, The Hole That Ate the Donner Party, Fight Club, and Right to Life fill minds with doubt and concern. Why did they name it that….will I….but what if…..??? A deep breath brings back the focus and reminds me of why I am here. Running rivers is an adventure. It is time filled with excitement, scenery, good friends, and the unexpected. Sure, we all flip over and get smashed around every once and a while, but that is what keeps us on our toes. Peeling out of the eddy my boat grabs the current and reaches the point of no return. The point at which I finally realize that…..OH SHIT, I am entering too far right!! Dropping…..
The Line of the Week
Photo by Collin Strasenburgh
Words by Ryan Salm
Location -South Yuba River, Donner Summit
Boater – Collin Strasenburgh
For more of Ryan’s kayaking work, check out:
http://ryansalmphotography.photoshelter.com/gallery/South-Yuba-Kayaking/G0000xAOU8dWkzds/
The Line of the Week is a weekly photo piece by Ryan Salm featuring some of Tahoe’s finest athletes doing whatever we deem rad. We will be using the term “Line” loosely to describe anything resembling chutes, big airs, pointers or any general madness. All images are the property and copyright of Ryan Salm Photography.