Horserace Rapids

At ~400' in length, this is the longest and most continuous of the six major rapids on the river. Beginner/intermediate boaters should probably scout this drop (usually from river-right, getting out at a right-hand bend as a house comes into view on the river-left shore). A lead-in of easy waves progresses to a couple of significant holes on river left (if you enter this rapids on the right you will avoid these upper holes).

At low flows, there are many eddies to catch on your way down, working the rapids.  At moderate-to-high flows, eddies are surging, swirling, boiling affairs. There is a wide hole right before the end of the rapids known as "Wahaha."  The remainder of the rapid is rather shallow, so punching Wahaha and staying upright is essential.

There are two sharp rocks known as the "Dragons Teeth" river-right toward the bottom of the rapid, so it is best to be somewhat further left when you hit Wahaha. However, if you get too far left you will enter "Forever Eddy." At high water there is a strong eddy fence and the only way out is from the downstream end of the eddy.  If you catch the eddy and exit the downstream end, you can completely sneak Wahaha and be far away from the "Dragons Teath." If you flip here, tuck forward and kiss your boat. People have gotten beatered badly when upside down through here.

It should also be known that there has been a foot entrapment fatality (a customer on a commercial raft trip) at the bottom of Horserace. (If/when out of boat, float as near the surface as possible -- KEEP YOUR FEET UP! Do not try to stand up in strong current!)