Arkansas River

[tim huntzinger]

Saw those kayakers below the low-water dam Sunday mid-afternoon.  Got a pretty good shot of them shooting the jetty toward the wave.  NO LIFEJACKETS.

Video of kayakers going over the Tulsa Wave on Sunday

[RecycleMichael]

I saw a kayak with a fire on it in the middle.

It proved you can have your kayak and heat it too.

[waterboy]

So here's my parable.

Three guys go kayaking on the river, a Conservative, a Libertarian and a Liberal. The river unexpectedly starts to rage and tosses them all into the river before they can reach their life jackets which of course they are sitting on.

A fisherman nearby sees them bobbing around and realizes he can only save one of them because he has one length of rope and nothing to tie it to but himself and not much time. Which one survives? Which one does he choose?

You may complete it differently. Here's my answer and the moral of the story:

The Liberal immediately is filled with compassion for his fellow yakkers and attempts to save them all by exclaiming, "If we band together we can do it!" He is promptly drowned by the other two.

The Conservative and the Libertarian then lock eyes. Only one will survive. They both pull out their constitutionally protected side arms and aim them at each other. The farmer is astounded.

The Libertarian being the more clever of the two, changes the aim of his gun towards the farmer. "You will save me...or we all die!"

The Conservative seizes the moment, shoots the Libertarian dead and thus survives.

The moral? The smartest don't always survive, teamwork is overated and fishing is a better sport than kayaking.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger

Saw those kayakers below the low-water dam Sunday mid-afternoon.  Got a pretty good shot of them shooting the jetty toward the wave.  NO LIFEJACKETS.

Video of kayakers going over the Tulsa Wave on Sunday

Actually, Tim, that is a canoe. They handled that wave pretty well. Lifejackets over the age of 12 are not mandatory but a darn good idea.

[tim huntzinger]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

Actually, Tim, that is a canoe. They handled that wave pretty well. Lifejackets over the age of 12 are not mandatory but a darn good idea.

I missed the boat on that one! DOH!

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

Actually, Tim, that is a canoe. They handled that wave pretty well. Lifejackets over the age of 12 are not mandatory but a darn good idea.

I missed the boat on that one! DOH!

LOL!  Did you just happen to have a video camera with you or did you know they were getting ready to do this.  The wave sure looked a lot bigger with a canoe going over it than it does when you walk or bike past it.

[tim huntzinger]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71
LOL!  Did you just happen to have a video camera with you or did you know they were getting ready to do this.  The wave sure looked a lot bigger with a canoe going over it than it does when you walk or bike past it.

By pure happenstance was on the scene right after they set in.  I have taken the Wave with a USS Walmart 'raft,' and it really is a fun ride. I do believe H2O boy needs to hook us up with a session . . .

[SXSW]

With some work they could turn that whole area into a more developed whitewater area for kayaks and canoes.  They could offer different levels of difficulty from Class III-IV rapids at the Tulsa Wave to Class II-III in other parts of the river closer to the east bank.  Get an outfitter to set up shop that could pick people up after they go on a "run" and it could be quite the attraction.

But back to the idea of locks with low water dams, if Tulsa ever wants river boats like they now have in OKC they will require locks, most likely on the west bank where there is a rocky shoreline and deeper water (keep the east bank natural).

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by SXSW

With some work they could turn that whole area into a more developed whitewater area for kayaks and canoes.  They could offer different levels of difficulty from Class III-IV rapids at the Tulsa Wave to Class II-III in other parts of the river closer to the east bank.  Get an outfitter to set up shop that could pick people up after they go on a "run" and it could be quite the attraction.

But back to the idea of locks with low water dams, if Tulsa ever wants river boats like they now have in OKC they will require locks, most likely on the west bank where there is a rocky shoreline and deeper water (keep the east bank natural).

The living river concept would have been a great project to set up a canoe/kayak operation with the Wave as a departure point. I have taken an 18ft planing boat over it but not a displacement craft yet. Looks like a roller coaster ride.

I agree with you SXSW. However, the channel meanders so that it is deeper on the West bank between 11th street to 21st street but then deeper on the East bank from 21st to the pedestrian bridge, then deepens back to the West bank below the lowater dam.

It will take a concerted effort to convince officials of the need. One person's suggestion is just a kook. A few people asking is an interesting but easily ignored suggestion. But an organization/ association/non-profit speaks their language.

I'll offer this. I will try to round up some boats and organize a float to show first hand views of what the river really is, the obstacles to overcome are and what the unrecognized potential is. I'm not the expert mind you, but I am more informed by real life experience on the river than most.

Any takers?

[cks511]

Waterboy, are you the fellow driving the dark Ford Explorer with a yellow and orange kayak strapped to the top?  Just curious.

[tim huntzinger]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

Any takers?

It sounded kooky when you first mentioned the channel idea but would that not address the oxygenation issue of additional damsand provide more usable space on the river? Not so kooky.

[RecycleMichael]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy
I will try to round up some boats and organize a float to show first hand views of what the river really is, the obstacles to overcome are and what the unrecognized potential is. I'm not the expert mind you, but I am more informed by real life experience on the river than most.

Any takers?

This sounds like the beginning of a Gilligan's Island episode. I know I look like the Skipper, but I act more like his little buddy.

[waterboy]

Anyone interested, PM me and I'll start a sign up list. RM, I have the boat for you and a special assignment.

[tim huntzinger]

. . . as long as Mary Anne or Ginger is on board . . .

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by cks511

Waterboy, are you the fellow driving the dark Ford Explorer with a yellow and orange kayak strapped to the top?  Just curious.

No, but I've seen the guy over on Memorial around 91st. I'm younger and better looking.[]