Zach kicks off the show addressing the flood of anxious questions about low water levels on the Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Rogue River. His take? It's not actually that low:

• Middle Fork of the Salmon: Currently running at 3.2 feet, which is very close to average. A truly "low" water level would be down around 1.8 feet. Zach notes that anything between 80% and 120% of average is a good, normal flow.
• The Rogue River: The dam is releasing 1,400 CFS (with some diverted for irrigation), leaving about 1,200 CFS in the river—though it may drop to 1,100 CFS soon. It doesn't get truly "low" until it dips below 900 CFS.
• Zach's Low-Water Strategy: If you do end up running low water, adjust by bringing less gear so your boats aren't heavy, and potentially bringing more boats on the trip.

Introducing Submarine Hole

Zach introduces his new website, submarinehole.com. It is designed as a professional discussion board for river rescue instructors, rowing/raft instructors, and professional guides to share ideas and keep a lasting log of information. While there is a small section for private boaters, the primary focus is to serve as a resource for river pros.

Oar Geometry & Rigging Rules of Thumb

Answering a listener question about dialing in oar towers on a used frame setup where the rower sits on a dry box four inches above the frame, Zach shares his setup guidelines:

• Oar Tower Height: Stick with 8-inch oar towers. Moving up to 10-inch towers splays the oars out too much, which can inadvertently add up to a foot of length to your oar setup.
• Tower Distance: Place your oar towers roughly in line with your kneecaps. If they are too close, it’s incredibly hard to ship your oars; too far forward, and you’ll find yourself awkwardly leaning too far into your stroke.
• The 1.63 Rule: Multiplying your span by 1.63 to find your oar length is correct about 90% of the time, though exceptions exist based on your specific boat size and gear load.

Tuning Pins & Clips

When it comes to tuning your oar clips to your pins, skip the rubber mallet. Zach recommends using a dead blow mallet, a steel hammer, or even a heavy river rock to bend them.

You want the clip tuned tight enough that it takes a very hard, deliberate jerk to pull the oar off the pin, but loose enough that it stays on securely when you're just holding and leaning on it. He also notes his dislike for PVC sleeves over pins, as they wear unevenly and constantly change your tuning.

The Tuolumne River: Levels & Schedules

Zach reminisces about his guiding career on the Tuolumne River, which is completely unpermitted this year. He breaks down his favorite flows:

• 1,000 CFS (Zach's Favorite): Highly demanding and technical; perfect for rowing a heavy, 16-foot gear boat through tight channels.
• 2,000 – 3,000 CFS (Crowd Favorite): Big, splashy waves and forgiving, open lines. This is the epitome of classic Class IV rafting.
• 4,000 – 6,000 CFS: Highly challenging with fast-moving water, big holes (like the main hole at Gray's), and heavy consequences if you flip.
• April Trips: Zach highly recommends April on the Tuolumne. It usually runs around 2,000–3,000 CFS with spectacular wildflower blooms.
• The July Water Schedule: In the summer, water releases are dam-controlled to about 1,000 CFS for three hours a day. This puts boaters on a strict water schedule (e.g., the bubble reaches Clavey at noon and North Fork at 2:00 PM).

New Custom Gear & 3D Printing

Zach is actively printing and testing custom, purpose-built gear cases. Up first is a dedicated Tear-Aid container. While you can use cheap M&M Mini tubes or gelato containers, they don't clearly signal to other guides what's inside, and they tend to crack after a few years.

His custom containers hold 2 to 3 rolls of Tear-Aid, feature a rugged texture for easy gripping, and take 8 hours to print. He plans to sell them for around $25, styled in a "repair color" scheme of light and dark blue. Zach is also prototyping a bucket-mounted bracket to hold Mrs. Meyer's soap containers off the ground at camp.

Whitewater Accident Database Accuracy

When asked if the American Whitewater accident database misses many deaths, Zach praises Charlie Walbridge's thoroughness. He notes that while commercial companies sometimes attempt to minimize press surrounding fatalities, Charlie is incredibly diligent at documenting both commercial and private river deaths in the US. Zach admits he cannot think of a single US river fatality he's known of that didn't ultimately end up in the database.

Episode Summary

The primary discussion segment serves as a major public service announcement regarding the eternal debate of pushing versus pulling when navigating technical rapids. Reacting to a social media clip shared by fellow boater Brody, Zach strongly emphasizes that a lack of pulling skills leads many private boaters and newer guides to blow standard moves and miss vital eddies. He highlights that pushing places a raft traveling faster than the river current, significantly heightening a boater's vulnerability. To illustrate his point, Zach conducts a video review of a rafter attempting to push through Horn Rapid on the Grand Canyon, demonstrating how a poor approach angle and reliance on pushing funneled the boat straight into a massive wall and hydraulic, forcing a dramatic high side to avoid a full wrap.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• Commercial Booking: Understanding outfitter guidelines and trip logistics at Northwest Rafting Company.
• Rowing Technique: Exploring the safety dynamics, speed control, and angling mechanics of pushing versus pulling.
• Online Discussions: Check out Submarine Hole - a forum for whitewater rafters

Key Questions and Discussion Points

• Topic: Commercial Guidelines. Why are commercial outfitters unable to accommodate guests who wish to row or paddle their personal boats alongside a guided trip?
• Topic: Hydraulic Management. How does pushing a raft alter its speed relative to the current and limit a guide's ability to pull away from hazards?
• Topic: Technical Rowing. What core skills should whitewater rowers develop before attempting advanced Class IV or Class V river corridors?

Connect with Zach

• Instagram
• YouTube

Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Episode Summary

Zach kicks off the episode by introducing a brand-new prototype throw bag from Sockdolager Equipment, designed specifically with thoughtful modifications for packrafters and rafters alike. He highlights how active community involvement and viewer subscriptions help him collaborate with gear manufacturers to test and refine specialized safety equipment before it hits the open market.

The core discussion centers around a detailed question from a viewer planning a multi-day raft setup for themselves, their spouse, and two dogs. The viewer asks for a critique of a custom 15-foot Sotar ST raft featuring 22-inch oversized tubes. Zach breaks down the geometric tradeoffs of this configuration, explaining that while larger tubes significantly increase stability and reduce wrap or flip risks, they sacrifice critical interior cargo space. He ultimately advises the viewer to look at the 16-foot Wing Surge or a standard 16-foot Sotar design, sharing his long-held belief that 16-foot boats are the ideal sweet spot for private multi-day boaters to prevent getting hung up in low-water rock gardens.

The episode wraps up with a robust safety segment handling swiftwater rescue protocols. Zach discusses how to prepare first-time rafters for high-consequence river environments by analyzing proper safety talks, managing PFD flotation, and remembering structural rescue frameworks like the LUDA and SLUDA acronyms (Leadership, Stabilize, Upstream safety, Downstream safety, After/Assessment). He also outlines practical field techniques for getting un-pinned or out of a sticky hole, such as utilizing a 5-gallon bucket on a downstream rope to create hydraulic leverage.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• Safety Gear: Reviewing the new prototype throw bags from Sockdolager Equipment.
• Custom Hull Design: Sizing recommendations for multi-day Sotar and Wing Inflatables models.
• Swiftwater Rescue: Understanding structural acronyms like SLUDA for river incident management.

Key Questions and Discussion Points

• Topic: Custom Boats. "Is a 15-foot Sotar with 22-inch tubes a good multi-day choice for two people and two dogs?"
• Topic: Low-Water Strategy. Why do smaller rafts often sit deeper in the water column and flip or stick more frequently than 16-to-18-foot alternatives?
• Topic: Group Management. What is the best way to deliver an effective safety talk to first-time passengers on a demanding river trip?
• Topic: Hydraulic Leverage. How can a standard 5-gallon utility bucket be deployed downstream to assist a surfed or pinned raft?

Connect with Zach

• Instagram
• YouTube

Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Episode Summary

Zach kicks off the episode by introducing a brand-new prototype throw bag from Sockdolager Equipment, designed specifically with thoughtful modifications for packrafters and rafters alike. He highlights how active community involvement and viewer subscriptions help him collaborate with gear manufacturers to test and refine specialized safety equipment before it hits the open market.

The core discussion centers around a detailed question from a viewer planning a multi-day raft setup for themselves, their spouse, and two dogs. The viewer asks for a critique of a custom 15-foot Sotar ST raft featuring 22-inch oversized tubes. Zach breaks down the geometric tradeoffs of this configuration, explaining that while larger tubes significantly increase stability and reduce wrap or flip risks, they sacrifice critical interior cargo space. He ultimately advises the viewer to look at the 16-foot Wing Surge or a standard 16-foot Sotar design, sharing his long-held belief that 16-foot boats are the ideal sweet spot for private multi-day boaters to prevent getting hung up in low-water rock gardens.

The episode wraps up with a robust safety segment handling swiftwater rescue protocols. Zach discusses how to prepare first-time rafters for high-consequence river environments by analyzing proper safety talks, managing PFD flotation, and remembering structural rescue frameworks like the LUDA and SLUDA acronyms (Leadership, Stabilize, Upstream safety, Downstream safety, After/Assessment). He also outlines practical field techniques for getting un-pinned or out of a sticky hole, such as utilizing a 5-gallon bucket on a downstream rope to create hydraulic leverage.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• Safety Gear: Reviewing the new prototype throw bags from Sockdolager Equipment.
• Custom Hull Design: Sizing recommendations for multi-day Sotar and Wing Inflatables models.
• Swiftwater Rescue: Understanding structural acronyms like SLUDA for river incident management.

Key Questions and Discussion Points

• Topic: Custom Boats. "Is a 15-foot Sotar with 22-inch tubes a good multi-day choice for two people and two dogs?"
• Topic: Low-Water Strategy. Why do smaller rafts often sit deeper in the water column and flip or stick more frequently than 16-to-18-foot alternatives?
• Topic: Group Management. What is the best way to deliver an effective safety talk to first-time passengers on a demanding river trip?
• Topic: Hydraulic Leverage. How can a standard 5-gallon utility bucket be deployed downstream to assist a surfed or pinned raft?

Connect with Zach

• Instagram
• YouTube

Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Episode Summary

Zach begins the show by highlighting that this episode will focus on answering user questions and revisiting a video from Bedrock on the Grand Canyon. The main technical segment covers a question regarding undercut rocks and what happens when a swimmer encounters them. He notes that hazards like nasty ledge holes, weirs, trees, and sieves are also major concerns. To look at specific statistics, Zach pulls up the American Whitewater accident database to review trends regarding fatalities, highlighting that "flush drowning" represents about 19% of recorded fatalities.

The second user question comes from a viewer who purchased a 14-foot PVC Star raft from NRS for $600 and wants to know if they wasted their money, alongside asking for the best oar length for a 66-inch wide boat. Zach reassures the viewer that $600 is an incredible price for a raft, making it a very smart financial choice even though PVC boats might not have the absolute best performance or last forever. Regarding oar length, Zach reiterates his standard formula: measure the exact distance between the oar locks and multiply by 1.63. Boaters can then add or subtract half a foot depending on personal preferences like tube size, height, or shoulder width.

Key Questions and Discussion Points

• Topic: Undercut Rocks. What exactly happens when a person swims into an undercut rock, and can they get pinned like a boat?
• Topic: Boat Value. Is buying a $600 PVC Star raft directly from NRS a waste of money?
• Topic: Sizing Math. Does the overall width of a raft dictate your oar length, or does it strictly depend on the distance between the oar locks?

Connect with Zach

• Instagram
• YouTube

Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Episode Summary

Zach kicks off the show with an enthusiastic review of the newly updated Clackfest, noting its recent shifts to a Friday start complete with product demos, educational classes, and a community gathering under a large event tent. Despite some heavy rain and unexpected weekend hailing, he highlights the exceptional participation across numerous multi-category river races. Zach expresses immense appreciation for the core team of volunteer planners, shuttle drivers, and gate judges who keep the historic whitewater festival running smoothly year after year.

The main technical segment addresses a question from a boater who recently relocated to Port Orford. The viewer is looking to transition from a 14-foot Sotar down to a narrower 58-inch high-side paddle cataraft to navigate local coastal streams like the Elk River. Reviewing a blog post he wrote on the run, Zach confirms that a paddle cat is an exciting option, though he cautions boaters to watch out for meaty drops and unexpected river wood. He notes that the Elk River is completely rain-fed—meaning it is typically only runnable between November and April during select windows that might total around ten days a year.

The episode wraps up with a look at historic Grand Canyon river footage, where Zach analyzes historical rowing techniques and compares modern high-performance setups with the traditional styles used in early western river running expeditions.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• Events: Recapping the volunteer-run Clackfest updates and races.
• River Logistics: Reviewing the technical demands of Elk River kayaking and packrafting sections.
• Boat Choice: Discussing the agility of a paddle cataraft designs on narrow coastal creeks.

Key Questions and Discussion Points

• Topic: Event Operations. What changes did the organizers implement to expand the festival schedule into Friday?
• Topic: Regional Boating. Is a 58-inch wide paddle cat suitable for handling the narrow gorges of the Elk River?
• Topic: Hydrology. How does the rain-fed nature of coastal streams limit the seasonal boating window in the Pacific Northwest?

Connect with Zach

• Instagram
• YouTube

Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Zach kicks off the episode by highlighting Clackfest, the Northwest's premier annual whitewater gathering. He notes that the festival has expanded its schedule with vendor booths, gear demos, and live music kicking off early, followed by a full schedule of multi-category river races on Saturday.

The core technical discussion addresses a viewer planning a trip down Hell's Canyon who is expanding their setup with a 16-foot AIRE raft. The viewer asks about stretching an NRS Bighorn frame out to a 69-inch width, creating a 78-inch gap between the oar locks. Zach uses his standard sizing formula to calculate that this configuration requires a 10.5-foot oar. He strongly advises against mounting oar towers to the inner frame rails as a shortcut to use shorter oars, recommending instead that the viewer use temporary oar extensions on their existing 9.5-foot oars until they can purchase dedicated 10.5-foot oars.

The episode wraps up with a discussion on the ultimate boats for tackling big, technical class V whitewater like the North Fork Payette. Zach names the 12.5-foot Sotar Legend as his absolute top choice due to its perfected design, placing the AIRE Wave Destroyer as a close second, while warning that models with excessive rocker tend to feel too twitchy in heavy water.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• Events: Clackfest Whitewater Festival.
• Frame Gear: Configuring an NRS Bighorn frame for wide beam rafts.
• Oar Customization: Sizing formulas and using Sawyer MXG extensions.
• Cataraft Equipment: Heavy whitewater tubes from Sotar and AIRE.

Key Questions and Discussion Points

• Topic: Event Schedule. How has the layout and timeline for Clackfest changed this year?
• Topic: Frame Geometry. Is it safe or effective to mount oar towers on an inner rail to use shorter shafts?
• Topic: Oar Modifications. What are the primary drawbacks of using mechanical oar extensions in high-consequence rapids?
• Topic: Technical Boats. Why does Zach prefer the Sotar Legend over highly-rockered alternatives for big drops?

Connect with Zach

• Instagram
• YouTube

Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Episode Summary

Zach starts the episode by highlighting the 40th anniversary of Clackamas River Festival and encouraging boaters to participate in the community races. The main technical discussion focuses on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, specifically how to navigate the camp lottery system and choose sites that accommodate larger groups and diverse frame setups.

The conversation shifts to safety gear, where Zach reviews the new NRS Vector PFD. He provides an honest critique of its flotation profile and comfort for rowers. He also answers a detailed question about raft repair, specifically how to deal with delaminating floors and when it's time to retire a vintage boat versus performing a major patch job.

The episode wraps up with a discussion on the value of subscribers for gear testing, explaining how a larger community allows him to get his hands on the newest equipment—like the NRS Vector—to provide unbiased reviews for the rafting public.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• River Logistics: Planning for Middle Fork Salmon camps.
• Gear Reviews: The NRS Vector PFD and its design features.
• Maintenance: Using Stabond adhesive for structural raft repairs.
• Community: Participating in local whitewater festivals.

Key Questions and Discussion Points

• Topic: Trip Planning. "How do I choose the best camps on the Middle Fork for a 12-person group?"
• Topic: PFD Design. "Is the NRS Vector a suitable replacement for the Zen or the Green Jacket?"
• Topic: Repair. "What is the best way to fix a 12-inch floor delamination on an old Hypalon boat?"
• Topic: Channel Growth. "How do gear companies decide which influencers get to test new equipment?"

Connect with Zach

• Instagram
• YouTube

Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

Episode Summary

Zach kicks off the show with an enthusiastic look at Clackfest, his favorite event of the year. This festival, now in its 40th year, is centered around the whitewater community and features twelve different types of races—ranging from R-II and R-IV rafting to SUP, kayak, and packraft events. Zach emphasizes that the Clackamas River Festival is more about community and fun than being "gnarly," making it a must-attend for boaters of all levels.

The technical heart of the episode addresses a viewer's question about identifying an older Avon raft that is missing its serial number. Zach uses his extensive guiding experience to narrow down the model and age based on physical features. He identifies a 14-foot gray self-baler with two thwarts as likely being the Avon Adventure model. He also provides a guide for dating these Hypalon rafts by their color: darker gray typically indicates the 1980s to early 90s, while lighter gray suggests the mid-to-late 90s and 2000s.

The episode concludes with practical maintenance advice for older rafts, specifically how to safely remove glued-on foot cups using solvents like toluene or mechanical means, and a brief mention of Zach's recent "rope breaking" tests to understand gear limits.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• Events: Clackfest.
• Gear: Identifying vintage Avon Professional series rafts.
• Maintenance: Removing glued-on accessories from raft floors.

Key Questions and Discussion Points

• Topic: Event Highlights. What makes Clackfest unique compared to other whitewater festivals?
• Topic: Boat Identification. How can you estimate the age of an Avon raft serial number without the tag?
• Topic: Raft Models. What are the primary differences between the Avon Adventure, Pro, and Super Pro models?
• Topic: Maintenance. What is the best way to remove old foot cups from a raft floor?

Connect with Zach

• Instagram
• YouTube

Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.