The Love of Overflow
I’m sure there are a lot of people in the kayaking community that have a huge love of the deep woods, Overflow Creek, a piece of the headwaters of the mighty Chattooga River. For me, this was the first river I ever ran with my now husband, almost nine years ago.
I rode to the river with Shane Benedict, I lived in his basement with a multitude of different animals. He told me we were meeting Andrew Holcombe and a guy named Snowy. Let me quickly add, Shane and I maybe had a few whiskey drinks the night prior and I was by no means feeling 100%. Shane was well aware and made fun of me the whole way to the river. Andrew and Snowy drove up the dirt road to the takeout to find me, laying on my back, in the middle of the road. I was nervous to paddle with Andrew, I didn’t know him very well, but I was totally fangirling. When Snowy got out of the car, red hair and accent, all I wanted to do was be near him, or try to at least impress him.
Needless to say, I spent the day discreetly trying to impress Snowy, with my amazing boof style, while still trying to control some sickness I had from the night before. I paddled really well (I thought so) despite my state.
Snowy and I made it back out to Overflow for the first time in quite a while on a cold January day in 2019. I was between a trip to Costa Rica and Ecuador. We both had a lot of clothes on and it was about 30 degrees with a wind chill of maybe 22. The day was full of giggles and good lines, some not so good, but mostly good. It also reminded me that kayaking isn’t always about scaring yourself or pushing your limits. It is about just getting out on the water with your friends and having a darn good time.
This river is special to many and if you are looking to step up your class 4-5 creek boating skills, head to Overflow, if the Chattooga is actively dropping and not too high. Always be on the lookout for wood and don’t forget to have all of the fun. Putting on Overflow at over 2 feet is going to make for a super sporty day so I tend to only put on below 1.6, but that is mere preference. I don’t go to Overflow to scare myself, I go to be in nature and be thankful for the World we live in. Good lines!!!