Illinois River Flows & Avon Raft | Gear Garage Live Show

Cobra Oar Locks & Undercut Rocks | Gear Garage Live Show

Cobra Oar Locks & Undercut Rocks | Gear Garage Live Show This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage live show, where Zach covers whitewater rafting, river safety, gear, and answers viewer questions. In this episode, Zach discusses the dangers of undercut rocks and addresses a question about a 14-foot Star raft and calculating oar length [https://riverhardware.com/blogs/river-news/how-to-choose-the-right-oar-length-for-your-raft]. EPISODE SUMMARY Zach begins the show by highlighting that this episode will focus on answering user questions and revisiting a video from Bedrock on the Grand Canyon [https://www.whitewaterguidebook.com/arizona/grand-canyon-colorado/]. The main technical segment covers a question regarding undercut rocks and what happens when a swimmer encounters them. He notes that hazards like nasty ledge holes, weirs, trees, and sieves are also major concerns. To look at specific statistics, Zach pulls up the American Whitewater accident database [https://www.americanwhitewater.org/explore/safety/accident-database/] to review trends regarding fatalities, highlighting that "flush drowning" represents about 19% of recorded fatalities. The second user question comes from a viewer who purchased a 14-foot PVC Star raft from NRS for $600 and wants to know if they wasted their money, alongside asking for the best oar length for a 66-inch wide boat. Zach reassures the viewer that $600 is an incredible price for a raft, making it a very smart financial choice even though PVC boats might not have the absolute best performance or last forever. Regarding oar length, Zach reiterates his standard formula: measure the exact distance between the oar locks [https://riverhardware.com/products/sawyer-a-oar-lock-single] and multiply by 1.63. Boaters can then add or subtract half a foot depending on personal preferences like tube size, height, or shoulder width. KEY QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS * Topic: Undercut Rocks. What exactly happens when a person swims into an undercut rock, and can they get pinned like a boat? * Topic: Boat Value. Is buying a $600 PVC Star raft directly from NRS a waste of money? * Topic: Sizing Math. Does the overall width of a raft dictate your oar length, or does it strictly depend on the distance between the oar locks? Connect with Zach * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zcollier/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GearGarageTV] Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation [https://www.nwrafting.com/training/international-rafting-federation-guide-workshop] Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Elk River & Grand Canyon Footage | Gear Garage Live Show

Elk River & Grand Canyon Footage | Gear Garage Live Show This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage live show, where Zach answers submitted questions and talks all things whitewater. In this episode, Zach recaps his recent experiences at Clackfest and shares advice for boaters exploring the technical coastal streams of Oregon. EPISODE SUMMARY Zach kicks off the show with an enthusiastic review of the newly updated Clackfest [https://clackfest.com/], noting its recent shifts to a Friday start complete with product demos, educational classes, and a community gathering under a large event tent. Despite some heavy rain and unexpected weekend hailing, he highlights the exceptional participation across numerous multi-category river races. Zach expresses immense appreciation for the core team of volunteer planners, shuttle drivers, and gate judges who keep the historic whitewater festival running smoothly year after year. The main technical segment addresses a question from a boater who recently relocated to Port Orford. The viewer is looking to transition from a 14-foot Sotar down to a narrower 58-inch high-side paddle cataraft to navigate local coastal streams like the Elk River. Reviewing a blog post he wrote on the run, Zach confirms that a paddle cat is an exciting option, though he cautions boaters to watch out for meaty drops and unexpected river wood. He notes that the Elk River [https://www.nwrafting.com/river-descriptions/the-elk-river] is completely rain-fed—meaning it is typically only runnable between November and April during select windows that might total around ten days a year. The episode wraps up with a look at historic Grand Canyon river footage, where Zach analyzes historical rowing techniques and compares modern high-performance setups with the traditional styles used in early western river running expeditions. TOPICS AND LINKS THAT ZACH TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE * Events: Recapping the volunteer-run Clackfest updates and races. * River Logistics: Reviewing the technical demands of Elk River kayaking and packrafting sections. * Boat Choice: Discussing the agility of a paddle cataraft designs on narrow coastal creeks. KEY QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS * Topic: Event Operations. What changes did the organizers implement to expand the festival schedule into Friday? * Topic: Regional Boating. Is a 58-inch wide paddle cat suitable for handling the narrow gorges of the Elk River? * Topic: Hydrology. How does the rain-fed nature of coastal streams limit the seasonal boating window in the Pacific Northwest? Connect with Zach * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zcollier/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GearGarageTV] Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Oar Length & Snowpack Update | Gear Garage Live Show

EPISODE SUMMARY Zach kicks off the episode by highlighting Clackfest [https://clackfest.com/], the Northwest's premier annual whitewater gathering. He notes that the festival has expanded its schedule with vendor booths, gear demos, and live music kicking off early, followed by a full schedule of multi-category river races on Saturday. The core technical discussion addresses a viewer planning a trip down Hell's Canyon who is expanding their setup with a 16-foot AIRE raft. The viewer asks about stretching an NRS Bighorn frame out to a 69-inch width, creating a 78-inch gap between the oar locks. Zach uses his standard sizing formula to calculate that this configuration requires a 10.5-foot oar. He strongly advises against mounting oar towers to the inner frame rails as a shortcut to use shorter oars, recommending instead that the viewer use temporary oar extensions [https://paddlesandoars.com/ACCESSORIES/OAR-ACCESSORIES/oar-shaft-extension] on their existing 9.5-foot oars until they can purchase dedicated 10.5-foot oars. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the ultimate boats for tackling big, technical class V whitewater like the North Fork Payette. Zach names the 12.5-foot Sotar Legend [https://sotar.com/collections/legend-cat?srsltid=AfmBOorBShyTFoyk8MLIxKUXvrih4wttckMSgfHYdBL4etF16Q-JwgqK] as his absolute top choice due to its perfected design, placing the AIRE Wave Destroyer as a close second, while warning that models with excessive rocker tend to feel too twitchy in heavy water. TOPICS AND LINKS THAT ZACH TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE * Events: Clackfest Whitewater Festival. * Frame Gear: Configuring an NRS Bighorn frame for wide beam rafts. * Oar Customization: Sizing formulas and using Sawyer MXG extensions. * Cataraft Equipment: Heavy whitewater tubes from Sotar and AIRE. KEY QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS * Topic: Event Schedule. How has the layout and timeline for Clackfest changed this year? * Topic: Frame Geometry. Is it safe or effective to mount oar towers on an inner rail to use shorter shafts? * Topic: Oar Modifications. What are the primary drawbacks of using mechanical oar extensions in high-consequence rapids? * Topic: Technical Boats. Why does Zach prefer the Sotar Legend over highly-rockered alternatives for big drops? Connect with Zach * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zcollier/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GearGarageTV] Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Middle Fork of the Salmon Camps | Gear Garage Live Show

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage live show, where Zach answers submitted questions and talks shop on technical rafting. In this episode, Zach dives into the logistics of camp selection on the Middle Fork, discusses PFD innovations, and shares technical tips for raft maintenance. EPISODE SUMMARY Zach starts the episode by highlighting the 40th anniversary of Clackamas River Festival [https://clackfest.com/] and encouraging boaters to participate in the community races. The main technical discussion focuses on the Middle Fork of the Salmon [https://www.whitewaterguidebook.com/idaho/middle-fork-salmon-river/], specifically how to navigate the camp lottery system and choose sites that accommodate larger groups and diverse frame setups. The conversation shifts to safety gear, where Zach reviews the new NRS Vector PFD [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrZ7nEKwL0g&feature=youtu.be]. He provides an honest critique of its flotation profile and comfort for rowers. He also answers a detailed question about raft repair, specifically how to deal with delaminating floors and when it's time to retire a vintage boat versus performing a major patch job. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the value of subscribers for gear testing, explaining how a larger community allows him to get his hands on the newest equipment—like the NRS Vector—to provide unbiased reviews for the rafting public. TOPICS AND LINKS THAT ZACH TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE * River Logistics: Planning for Middle Fork Salmon camps [https://www.nwrafting.com/salmon]. * Gear Reviews: The NRS Vector PFD and its design features. * Maintenance: Using Stabond adhesive [https://www.stabond.com/adhesives] for structural raft repairs. * Community: Participating in local whitewater festivals. KEY QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS * Topic: Trip Planning. "How do I choose the best camps on the Middle Fork for a 12-person group?" * Topic: PFD Design. "Is the NRS Vector a suitable replacement for the Zen or the Green Jacket?" * Topic: Repair. "What is the best way to fix a 12-inch floor delamination on an old Hypalon boat?" * Topic: Channel Growth. "How do gear companies decide which influencers get to test new equipment?" Connect with Zach * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zcollier/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GearGarageTV] Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Illinois River Flows & Avon Raft | Gear Garage Live Show

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage live show, where Zach answers submitted questions and talks all things whitewater. In this episode, Zach shares his excitement for the upcoming Clackfest and provides expert advice on identifying and maintaining vintage Avon rafts. EPISODE SUMMARY Zach kicks off the show with an enthusiastic look at Clackfest [https://clackfest.com/], his favorite event of the year. This festival, now in its 40th year, is centered around the whitewater community and features twelve different types of races—ranging from R-II and R-IV rafting to SUP, kayak, and packraft events. Zach emphasizes that the Clackamas River Festival is more about community and fun than being "gnarly," making it a must-attend for boaters of all levels. The technical heart of the episode addresses a viewer's question about identifying an older Avon raft that is missing its serial number. Zach uses his extensive guiding experience to narrow down the model and age based on physical features. He identifies a 14-foot gray self-baler with two thwarts as likely being the Avon Adventure [https://www.google.com/search?q=Avon+Adventure+Raft] model. He also provides a guide for dating these Hypalon rafts [https://www.google.com/search?q=vintage+Avon+Hypalon+rafts] by their color: darker gray typically indicates the 1980s to early 90s, while lighter gray suggests the mid-to-late 90s and 2000s. The episode concludes with practical maintenance advice for older rafts, specifically how to safely remove glued-on foot cups using solvents like toluene or mechanical means, and a brief mention of Zach's recent "rope breaking" tests to understand gear limits. TOPICS AND LINKS THAT ZACH TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE * Events: Clackfest. * Gear: Identifying vintage Avon Professional [https://www.google.com/search?q=Avon+Adventure+vs+Professional+Raft] series rafts. * Maintenance: Removing glued-on accessories from raft floors [https://www.google.com/search?q=Hypalon+raft+repair+tips]. KEY QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION POINTS * Topic: Event Highlights. What makes Clackfest unique compared to other whitewater festivals? * Topic: Boat Identification. How can you estimate the age of an Avon raft serial number [https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+read+Avon+raft+serial+number] without the tag? * Topic: Raft Models. What are the primary differences between the Avon Adventure, Pro, and Super Pro models? * Topic: Maintenance. What is the best way to remove old foot cups from a raft floor? Connect with Zach * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zcollier/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GearGarageTV] Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.