At Clackfest 2024 I rowed my Super Puma, hit the Carter Falls hole really well (surfing it and rodeoing it), and placed 5th.
Video: ClackFest 2024 By Jacob Linkhart on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
Disclosure: SOLWYRX Paddle Gear sells Sawyer and Oar Snubber gear, and I earn money when you buy it here.
The Carter Falls hole
The rapid at Carter's Bridge on the Upper Clackamas drops over a small ledge into a series of holes, and there's a surf wave just above it (Oregon Kayaking). It's the centerpiece of a lot of Clackfest events. Hitting the hole on purpose in a rowing rig and riding it out, instead of getting stuck or flipping, takes commitment and solid strokes. This was one of my best hits of it.
The rig
Super Puma with a frame and Sawyer DyneLite XD MXS oars. When you're getting worked in a hole, stiff, strong oars and an Oar Snubber keeping them in the locks make a real difference. See my MXS oar guide.
Compare it with Clackfest 2023, then follow along to 2025 and 2026.
Music: "Rebellion" by Aylex (freetouse.com). Source: Oregon Kayaking, The Upper Clackamas
Personal trip report: flows, wood and hazards change, and what worked for me that day isn't a rule for your boat or group. Check current conditions, scout, and boat within your training.
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Updated October 28, 2026 · By Jacob Linkhart, owner of SOLWYRX Paddle Gear · Spot a mistake? Email me and I'll fix it.
