[Red]

Anyone been to the Salida Play waves lately? I'm thinking about driving out there and I'd like to know whether it's worth the drive. I'm a mediocre playboater at best.

 

[tpalka]

I was thinking of dropping in yesterday, but then the snow came over the mountains and I wussed out I don't think that they're worth driving to, not at this level. The upper hole is steep and shallow, might be OK for cartwheeling in the right spot, maybe flat-spins in a really short boat. The lower one is nice and wide, but also very shallow -- I think flat-spins there would probably often hit the rocks as well. Hope this helps,

tom.

 

[BEANER]

It depends on how desperate you are. I got desperate a few weeks ago and played around in them. The upper hole is deep enough to cartwheel in, but is not that retentive. I could hit three--maybe four ends before I would get kicked out.
The lower hole offers pretty much endless flat spins, if your techique is good. be forewarned it is maybe a foot deep on the green side. I would say the potential for face scrapping/ paddle damage is pretty high, but hey you can flat spin. also on surfers left you can do some kind of weird low angle blast wheel thingy.
is it worth the drive from the springs, probably not. go run the gorge royale instead. Or drive down to the salt--it should start flowing big once it warms up.

 

[Red]

Thanks for the information - I was thinking about trying a new boat, but I guess I'll wait a bit.