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I sometimes enter with a stern first downward ferry angle. The extra power from a pull stroke can come in handy. Plus, if the boat is overly stern heavy it makes sense on some rapids. These were not my cleanest lines, but I’ll take tubes up any day.

Lol. This is an older Maravia: Grand 18. I built the frame based on Pro’s frame design. Length: 18′6” Width: 8’4″ Tube Size: 24″

@@miahsky, the right boat for the right river! Do you ever think a stretch of water ahead of you is scary?

Right!?! I learned to row from a standing rower. I have since learned you can sit down a bit (and yes, center of gravity matters). However, standing is also fun. It is definitely more of an engaging experience. Now if I can just get the chance to get on the river. Being on the river is happiness... whether sitting or standing.

Standing gives more leverage on the oars, and better vision. It's a great tool, especilaly when setting up for a rapid!

This was a 3 raft (18’), 8 person, 16 day trip over 225 River miles through Grand Canyon National park. We carry group gear for the full trip and everything is “rigged to flip” (tied down). It’s an oar raft, meaning one person rows instead of everyone paddling. It’s a pretty amazing trip.

Beginning note: Water levels are not regulated. I have paddled it at 1,500 cfs and at 22,000 cfs and a range of levels between. All were doable. All were fun. Character of each rapid changes drastically with change in water level. A pussy cat can become a lion when the water is EITHER high or low. A lion can become a pussy cat. The usual put in is Sand Wash. About a 25 mile nasty road, services Sand Wash from Myton, Utah. Days on the river? Your permit allows up to 9 days,,, my strong recommendation,, take the entire 9 days,, go fewer miles,, take a layover day or two. Lots of side hikes available. Take them all. Take out is normally Swazzy's (sp?) boat ramp near Green River, Utah. Put in can be as far north as Dinosaur N.M. with permission. Flat water for about 120 miles to reach Sand Wash. Possible take out is the Green River State Park,,, but,,, there is the Tusher Dam 3 miles down from Swazzy's. NOT recommended. The state park is 13 miles downstream from Swazzy's. The Do not miss tip. As soon as you are out, derigged, loaded and ready to go,, go straight to Ray's Tavern. Excellent burgers, fries, coleslaw, pie, beer,, walls are covered with river rat memorabilia. Like drinking Tequila on Tequila Beach below Lava. A tradition. Excellent river for newbies, wives, friends, children.

It is one of the downsides to a standing row position. Higher center of gravity. I am excited for my next trip down - hours behind the oars help!

I'm happy to share a document on how I built the camera mount...See the link below!

drive.google.com/drive/folders/1siMx1JHlmdkijxWm0ICoFe1WFJUzb_s_?usp=sharing

I built a mount out of PVC. I used 1 1/4 inch pipe with a T at the bottom and a cross T at the middle so I can break it down and stabilize to a D-Ring. It is about 75 inches tall when put together. I am happy to send you some pics and more info if you want!

Jeremiah Contreras that’d be great.

One Hell of a great Oarsman.

She fell in love with the rush of the rapids. I like to give my passengers a great ride, so I encouraged her to enjoy the rapids and my active rowing style made for an extra splashy fun ride (push into rapids for an extra rush). I like to give my passengers a good ride, and no distraction for me :-)

@@miahsky Very well. We all have our way of doing things. As long as she's not distracting the captain or putting you at more risk, I guess I see no harm in her added fun.

@@raftskibum Agreed. Safety 1st. If you can have fun in the meantime... enjoy!

That was the oarsman that fell out (me) and I was back in the raft in under 20 seconds. All good.

​@@miahsky lol my bad, I skipped forward from Upset when you had 2 passengers in the boat to Lava and i thought one had been lost. Looks like you only went into Lava with one passenger though. I swam in Lava too, same spot. Whats the reasoning behind not wearing helmets? Not being critical, just asking.

@HolstromsGhost The helmet thing is a tough one for me. More technical rapids, with rocks = helmet. Big Water = ??. Most canyon injuries / deaths are on shore. Water deaths are typically either PFD related or alcohol related. The pros do not seem to outweigh the cons for me (in the canyon). Wearing helmets while driving would be safer, however I am not planning on buying a driving helmet anytime soon. That said... Safety is important, and I am open to hearing everything I can. What are your thoughts on helmets in the canyon?

@@miahsky In bigger water like that without too many rocks to worry about, my main concern is the raft frame, oars, captains boxes, ammo cans, cooler, etc coming down on my dome if the boat were to flip. I wore my lid most of the time in the canyon. Im not the helmet police, and its totally up to you. But it seems like such an easy thing to do to prevent serious injury and the boat is filled with so many things that could easily crack your skull.

It was just me on the oars... However the first part of the trip I was dealing with dehydration and severe cramping in my arms. Stretching, massage and electrolytes!