Happy Hour at Howell

One nice surf wave

Yesterday I meet Rick, Larry, and others for some surf after work at Howell Island. Howell Island is very unusual surf wave. It is created when the Missouri river rises high enough to flow over a low water bridge. Both sides of the wave are more like poor overs, but in the middle you get a nice surf wave. What makes the wave so unique is that it pluses. One minute you will have an amazing wave and the next it’s just a big brown tongue. Yesterday was no exception, the first couple of runs were flushes, but once I got the wave’s timing, it was smooth surfing and 360’s all day.

Larry

Rick

If I was to compare the wave to anything, I would say it is very similar to Glenwood Springs play spot in Glenwood Springs Colorado. Howell Island has the surf and bounce to allow you to throw ends, blunts, and rumor has it that Larry has even loop here. With the water as cold as it was I manly stayed with surfing. Here is a little video I made. Enjoy.

Sunset at Howell

Howell Island 3-3-2011 from Curtis Ahlers on Vimeo.

Saint Francis 2/27/2011

This last weekend started with a text to paddle Caine pond on Friday night. It is a solid class IV creek, and looks burly. After meeting up Saturday morning with Tracey, Eric, and mike, we received a call that the creek was too low for the run, so instead we headed to the saint for a nice high water run. As we rolled into the parking lot, the river was just at D bridge. We were able to get in two big high water runs on Saturday, and then I meet up with mike again on Sunday for some nice play runs. Tracey and Eric camped so we meet them at D for the first run. The river was about 25 inches. We bombed the first run, and by the HOD (Heat of day) the D bridge parking lots was packed and the river was running at about 21inches. Good level with lots of people, made for great day on the river.  Here is a little video I made of the second run. Most of the footage is from double drop. Enjoy.