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Whitewater Park and Play Spots
Trailer Park Wave: Class II-III.
Kayak (3500 – 7500 cfs): Located immediately downstream from Post Falls Dam, Trailer Park Wave is considered an excellent attraction. The features of this wave vary depending on water releases from the Post Falls Dam. At lower levels intermediate and advanced paddlers can develop their skills here, and at higher flows more advanced tricks including loops are possible. Trailer Park Wave is not surfable for beginners, the return eddy is small and the area is remote.
SUP (5,000 – 6,000 cfs): The beauty. Hard to get there, but worth it. Legend has it that if only the south dam outlet is open, a big and beautiful feature comes in between 12,500 & 14,500 cfs. Long swim, but mostly mellow.
Access: Reaching Trailer Park Wave is difficult. Paddlers must park at Post Falls Park and carry their kayaks about one-fourth mile to the steep and rocky river bank. Alternatively, you can put in at McGuire Park, cross the river, and then portage one-third mile upstream to the wave.
Corbin Wave: Class IV.
Corbin Wave is a high flow rapid with a number of hazards. Large deep whirlpools extend for about 100-150 yards below the wave. Logs frequently circulate in the large eddy above the wave and when released, come through the wave. They cannot be seen while surfing, so if they are in the eddy, it helps to have a spotter to warn surfers. This area is not for the timid!
Kayak (15,000 – 23,000 cfs): Located in Corbin Park, this wave is big, fast, and very dynamic. The self-feeder eddy surfer’s left leads to a sticky corner that is easily surfed over to the wave. Blunts, aerials, spins, and all surf moves are possible here. The wave typically appears during spring runoff. It is difficult to predict when this wave is in, but it typically occurs in late April and May.
SUP: (11,000+ cfs): Surging feature that is extra rowdy at higher water and only somewhat calmer at lower levels. Good top-shoulder feed @ 22k+; rough eddy-feed 14k-20k; easier eddy feed11k-14k. Swims can be long and entertaining.
Access: Trailhead with parking lot and vault toilet at the end of Lundy street on the right. Follow trail from parking lot to river edge. Trailer Park can be seen to your left as you begin walking down the trail.
Dead Dog Hole: Class II-III.
Kayak (10,500 – 35,000 cfs), check Post Falls gage for water flows: Dead Dog Hole is located below the Stateline Bridge near the north bank. At lower flow levels (10,500 cfs) this is a friendly, small hole for beginners and experts alike—great for spins and low angle cartwheels. As flows approach higher levels (14,500+ cfs) paddlers can execute wheels, splits, spins and even loops. At 20,000 – 26,000 cfs, surfer left is extremely sticky. The hole is formed by the river flowing over a large slab of rock. The hole is typically 10-20 feet wide depending on flow with a glassy smooth entrance and a high backwash. At 18,000-19,000 cfs, the eddy behind the hole feeds strongly back into it. At these sticky levels, wet exit and self-rescue become somewhat difficult, but also provide for an easy elevator ride back in to take another go at it. Surfer’s left, the hole has its apex and this is the sticky spot, where even some of the region’s best paddlers have had to swim out. The middle and right provide the most fun with the hole cresting into a wave on boater’s right.
Access: Go to the north shore at the Stateline Bridge, where you can scout the rapid from the parking area or from the bridge directly above the hole. Best parking is in the northwest paved lot.
Mini Climax Wave: Class II-III.
Kayak (6000 – 8000 cfs): Downstream from the Barker Road access are Flora Rapids—a half-mile stretch of lively class IIs with a few obvious holes and boulders to be avoided. Located river left, is Mini Climax, a nice play spot, which is surfable between 5700-7500 cfs, but reaches prime conditions between 6400 to 6800 cfs. This is a dynamic wave with potential for loops, blunts, carts, etc. The eddy service is fair and if you miss the eddy on river left, it is a simple carry back up.
SUP (6000 – 8000 cfs): Can be kinda bouncy, easy (though brushy) eddy feed. Swims are mostly mellow.
Access: Put in at Barker Road and exit at Sullivan Park. Or park at the end of Mission Ave. and walk upstream.
Duplex Wave:
SUP (9,000 – 14,500 cfs): Smooth wave next to a hole. Feature changes shape significantly through the different levels. Mellow swim.
Access: Put in at Barker Road and exit at Sullivan Park. Or park at the end of Mission Ave. and walk upstream.
Sullivan Hole:
Kayak (2900 – 3500 cfs): Located just above the Mission Ave. access point, Sullivan Hole is a popular play spot where many local paddlers first learned to kayak. The wave is easy to attain with a large safe eddy downstream. The hole is a good ride between 2900 to 3000 cfs, and becomes wave like at levels above 3100 cfs. The wave greens out at 3500 cfs, and paddlers can hit the rock at levels below 2800 cfs.
SUP (1200 – 1800 cfs): Smooth, though occasionally surging feature. Entry move can be tricky, but the swim is mellow.
Access: Portage your kayak about a thousand feet upstream from the Mission Ave. access site using the Centennial Trail.
Zoo Wave: Class II.
Kayak (2350 – 2700 cfs): Located about a mile and half downstream of Sullivan Hole, this attraction features a hole on surfer’s left, a breaking wave in the middle, and a green wave on surfer’s right.
Access: Paddlers can park at Mission Ave. and ride downstream, or park at Mirabeau Point and portage their kayaks half a mile upstream using the Centennial Trail.
Thank you to Mick French, Travis Nichols, and John Patrouch for providing content.