River Boards

[Trismegistus]

Katie -

We have several types of river boards -- Banshees and RipBoards -- for rent and/or sale. In fact we may be Arkansas's only outlet at this time -- not as if there is a big demand. I've spent a lot of time on both -- but haven't fully mastered the banshee boards -- takes a lot of balance and just the right wave. The RipBoards I have used on several local rivers -- and mastered it by taking on the meat of Lesser and Greater Wesser Falls on the Nanty -- the ripboard is very forgiving (I have yet to run Greater Wesser in a boat) and loves big water. If you'd like to give one a try let me know -- a good introductory "park and play" is to take on Sarah's at CCO when the level is between 3 and 4.5 feet. I've done the Cadron on the RipBoard while in flood -- over 7 feet -- but at lower levels it's just too much work to get through the longer holes and shallows. Nice thing about a RipBoard is that it can be used to "submarine" like a squirt boat -- gives you a keen appreciation of the power of the water -- very up close and personal!!

[Tim Eubanks]

DVB, they were on the lower. I remember nearly running over them at one of those frequent "avoid the hole/rock/undercut" rapids, above Pure Screaming Hell. They had some kind of hose over their shoulders from a backpack. Re-breathers? Mini-scuba?
They would just disappear in the hole and then pop up.