On October 29th, 2022, over 30 kayakers participated in the third annual Benham Bash, organized by High Desert Media. The Benham Bash is the last remaining Whitewater event on the Deschutes River and Oregon's premier kayak race. Although there is no entry fee and the prizes are nominal, the kayakers of Bend, Oregon, and surrounding areas are motivated to practice racing and improve their paddling on Benham Falls, a steep quarter-mile-long section of Whitewater. At full summer flow, Benham Falls is a foreboding Class V sequence that rivals the difficulty of classic big water rapids like Jacob's Ladder on Idaho's North Fork Payette. As the water is drawn down in the fall, Benham Falls becomes much more approachable Class IV+ section. Even at low water, a descent of Benham Falls…
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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Spring 2023