The Green River Narrows

![[journal/2012/10/16/gorilla.png]] Gorilla Rapid on the Green River

The Green River Narrows was one of the first reasons I decided to start paddling. Gorilla, probably the most famous rapid, is just captivating to watch as people barrel down it. I somehow stumbled across some YouTube videos of the Green and it was on from there. I have spent hours now watching these videos and every time it’s awesome. After a little research I found out that the Green was close to here. Just south of Asheville in Saluda, NC. Probably less than an 1.5 hour drive for me.

Every year they have a race in November, and I have never been so excited about watching one. I think part of the excitement came from knowing the guy who has the record for the race, Andrew Holcombe. I played soccer with him in high school, he was older than me but it’s still really cool to see a familiar name as the leader for one of the most extreme races there is in kayaking. He finished the race in 4:18 during the 2009 competition.

I made my mind up that I would attend the event this year. I want to see the full effect of the famous rapids of the Green, Go Left and Die, Sunshine, and Gorilla. Video never does anything justice it seems, and I know that seeing these rapids in real life will be all the more mesmerizing. I’m hoping my fishing kayak will be good enough for us to win.

This year the race is November 3 @ Noon. I was told to get there early because there is going to be a ton of people there and I know I want a good seat.