Talullah River Rapids

If you are interested in Tallulah Gorge kayaking, you are not alone. The April and November whitewater releases draw avid kayakers from around the world. Please beware that the rapids created by the release are not for the faint of heart. The normal water flow through the gorge is 35-40 cubic feet per second (CFS), but during a whitewater release, the flow can get up to 700 CFS. The water flow is typically 500 CFS on the Saturday of a release weekend and 700 CFS on the Sunday of a release weekend. The river deserves the respect and responsibility associated with the Class IV-V rating assigned to it during this time. It is said that, in reality, Tallulah Gorge kayaking requires Class-V skills on most occasion. Those participating in kayaking will take the approximately 600 steps down the south side steps to put in. Kayakers will then navigate their way through rapids with names such as Oceana, Gauntlet, Tom’s Brain Buster and Twisted Sister. After the whitewater subsides, there is about 1.5 miles of flat water to allow the racing pulse to stabilize, and then the takeout is at Tugalo Dam.

I have been here many times over the years but have never witnessed the insanity that is the white water release weekend. I have mad respect for the brave souls who run these rapids. I have daydreamed of being a river guide when I was younger. I thought one day I would move to Colorado and that would be my job. Then life happened. It only took until I was 40 to finally get in a kayak but once I did I was hooked. Two weeks later we owned 2 kayaks. Now we own 3 and are looking to buy a fourth.

Now you won't see me carrying my boat down 600+ stairs any time soon. I can guarantee you will never see Shane do it, but who knows about me. I was really inspired by this. I have been white water rafting several times (and will be going again in 2 months) but the most I have done is class II in a kayak. AND IT IS A RUSH! My boat is not built for anything bigger than that.

I want to take some rolling classes and then rent a whitewater kayak and try a class III. That might be it for me but then again...maybe not. I have high hopes for my son and his paddling skills. I am hoping this is a passion I can pass on to he and my daughter.

These guys had the job of keeping everyone safe in the water all day.

It seems that most people hugged the left side going down from the put in to the bottom of the falls. A few ran the rapids to the right until they hit the falls and then went left and a couple of brave ones ( or stupid ) ran the fall smack dab in the center.

There are so many to post, it is hard to decide what to share. If you want to see more you can click here

Who knows, maybe one day that will be me down there. Stranger things have happened.