Recently, Paddling Life staffers had the chance to kayak Colorado’s Cross Mountain of the Yampa with none other than Big Water Dave, a 65-year-old veteran paddler and big water pioneer, from the Sierras of California to the Appalachians. We couldn’t help but ask a few questions of the wise whitewater sage, whose answers provided an enlightening look into the psyche of a big water boater.
PL: So how was the Stikine?
Big Water Dave: Could’ve been bigger
PL: How about the Devil’s Canyon of the Susitna?
Big Water Dave: A bit boney
PL: Hmmm…and Turnback Canyon of the Alsek?
Big Water Dave: Could’ve used a few more CFS
PL: Closer to home, the North Fork Payette at flood?
Big Water Dave: A tad low
PL: Let’s move down south…how about your forays on the Futaleafu?
Big Water Dave: Kinda scrapey
PL: And the Bio Bio?
Big Water Dave: A little boney
PL: How about that handpaddle trip down China’s Yangtzee?
Big Water Dave: Kinda low
PL: Africa’s Zambezi?
Big Water Dave: Could’ve used a bit more push.
PL: And the Congo?
Big Water Dave: Maybe a few hundred thou’ more.
PL: OK, let’s move onto more normal life issues…uh, how was your chicken dinner last night?
Big Water Dave: A little boney.
PL: And lunch?
Big Water Dave: Could’ve been a little meatier
PL: We heard you got a raise at work…are you excited about that?
Big Water Dave: Could’ve been a little bigger
PL: Hmmm…let’s move onto personal hygiene. Looks like you shaved your beard a bit recently? How’d that go?
Big Water Dave: A little scrapey
PL: Hmmm…what do you think about today’s interest rates?
Big Water Dave: Kinda low
PL: Uh, OK…let’s try pop culture; what do you think about, uh, Taylor Swift’s new hairstyle?
Big Water Dave: Could use a little more flow.
On a recent paddle of the Elk river, co
“It could use another 200 cfs.”- Big Water Dave
