I left with the Go Big Rig straight from OR and drove directly to the Ottawa for my annual pilgrimage to this playboating mecca. I was able to paddle with a lot of good friends and team paddlers Joe Stumpfel and Seth Chapelle for about a week on the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Lachine. Huge air and good times were had by all.
The Ottawa was at a slightly low level, but still offered up some world class playspots. My favorite for this trip were corner wave and pushbutton. The take-out wave on the Gatineau was a bit high, but offered up some incredible surfs if your could make the ferry out to the wave. The Flirt did quite well with this difficult jet-ferry, allowing me to get tons of good rides on the wave. Lachine was awesome as usual and showed me just how fast the Flirt really is and how huge this boat bounces!!!
This years Canada trip was cut a little short due to the US Team Trials, but I was still able to squeeze one extra day at Lachine in for good measure!
Paddler: Joe Stumpfel / Location: Corner Wave, Ottawa River / Move: Clean Backstab / Photographer: Bryon Dorr (with Kristen Podolak's D70)