High Water Ottawa

Recently, the New river Academy headed up to the Ottawa river in search of some big waves. We were hoping to get there right in time for Mini Bus, but instead we got up there and found the water was too high for Mini Bus. This was ok because there was still an epic wave in, Big Bus. This wave is huge! I have been on some big waves, but this one is still intimidating. With a great righty shoulder, going big isn’t too hard. The only hard part of this wave is that it is so fast that getting back up to the top can take some work, but once you do you're in luck for getting some big air.
3 pictures here


going for the panam © Michelle Yates


airscrewing © Michelle Yates

The water began to drop so big bus was getting a little trashy and mini bus wasn’t in yet. We found another wave that was quite as big but was great for working on every move from spins to combs.


Riot's Zach Mitchell going big on a Pistol flip © Michelle Yates


Getting a blunt © Michelle Yates

The on the last day we were up on the Ottawa the water level still was going up and a high water mini bus level came in. this wave even at this supposedly off level was still amazing. Giving up some of the biggest air I’ve ever had or seen. This wave introduces a new challenge however, the tow rope. The entire group had some trouble to start with using the tow rope but eventually people started to get it down to where they could get out every time instead of just face planting on the eddy line every try.
The Ottawa is one of the best play rivers in the world and coming back at high water after only seeing it at low water just proves to me how good it really is. Hopefully I will be able to get up to the Ottawa again sometime when mini bus is in.

See you on the river

Eli Spiegel