Russell Davies vividly remembers running his first big waterfall, Lower Mesa Falls on the Henry's Fork, a tributary of the Snake River. It was an experience that changed his life forever. He ran the left side double drop and can still recall looking back at the falls and the overwhelming sensation of being present in that moment. He quickly set safety and turned to watch as his friend Davis Gove opted for the right line. For Russell, Davis is an instigator in his paddling evolution and the person who introduced him to running big waterfalls.
"I watched Davis go over the lip, hit the reconnect, and then disappear in the turbulent water below," Russell said. He watched Davis's boat surface and realized he was no longer in his kayak. When he…
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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Summer 2021