Chattahoochee

There is a wall of rock a couple hundred feet after the rapid that requires a quick right line folllowed by a left line. At lower release levels this is an easy section. At higher levels the water has boils and moves much faster. This picture was taken during 1 unit of flow.

The second rapid on the river, Jaws (also known as 80K) varies depending on the level.

1 unit (900 cfs) — There's about a 4-foot drop on the river right side that creates a somewhat powerful hole. Can provide a beatdown if surfing and rather shallow on surfer's left. Run to the left of the hole for a smooth line, or boof the hole on the right for some spice. Ocassionally, recircs will happen in the hole to swimmers who do not ball up.

2 units (4500 cfs) — Big wave train with the hole on the rght turning into what's known as Pig Wave. Run middle to stay smooth or right to hit some foam.

3 units (9000 cfs) — Wave train gets larger and longer. Really good for macho moves and kickflips. Line is the same as 4500 cfs.

4 units (13000 cfs) — Incredibly similar to 9000 cfs, just more volume.

Easy Class II rapid with an easy to spot tongue at low flows — straight down the middle. Higher flows turns this rapid into wave trains that are good for wave wheels, macho moves and a good ole splash in a raft.

Following Goodern Than Grits, take the left channel to enter Jurassic. Keep right to run Turner's Tumbler.

Hardly anything at low flows, but at higher flows has a sharp right turn with some boil lines and a fun surf spot at 9,000 CFS (Stump Surf).

Stay in the main channel to run Turner's Tumbler, or cut left after Goodern Than Grits to run Jurassic.

Turner's Tumbler is a straight forward rapid at low flows with curling waves. The line is straight down the middle. Once the water reaches 4,500 CFS+, the curling waves get slightly bigger and go on for longer. However, if you're in a raft, note that the current does push you toward a bridge pylon that has capablity to pin/flip if you're not careful.

Line at higher flows is to start left and work right. There are some fun lines on the right side as well.

A pourover hole on near Georgia riverbank - the hole is in at approx 9000cfs. A good spot for loops.

Since the Winter of late 2015/early 2016, Tie Snake has changed.

There is now a boulder that poses a pin/piton potential on the old boof line. It was brought there from really high waters (talking 60,000 cfs for a period of time a little over a year ago). The hole that used to be at the bottom no longer exists as the same high waters blew it out.

At 4,000-5,000 cfs, it's more like a wave train.

At lower flows is when it is technical and somewhat creeky. That is when the easiest line now is to punch the wave at the top and stay far right after wards. There are plenty of eddy hopping options too. Biggest issue is the shallow boulder that sits above the wave/hole in the middle of the rapid. If you are upside down on it, it has been known to split foreheads and break paddles.

Playhole that's best at 13,000 CFS. Eddy access if you roll quick on the river left side after the feature. Directly to the river left side of the middle pylon of the 13th Street Bridge.

This rapid changes with water levels.

850 cfs: Shallow, but runnable. Flips at this level can result in hitting rocks.

4,500 cfs: Hole at the bottom of the rapid comes in. If looking to sneak, run to the right of the hole by staying on the right side of the rooster tail in the middle of the rapid.

9,000 cfs: Hole is at its prime level, can be difficult to punch. If unable to punch through the hole, you will get surfed and provide entertainment for those watching on Cutbait Island. No hazards below, but can be a rather deep swim.

13,000 cfs: Hole is still in, but easier to punch through.

Named after the 2014 film Need for Speed, which had a scene filmed on the bridge above, Need for Speed is directly after Tie Snake/Pemberton Falls. It's known for its boils, which will get larger as flows get higher. The line is center and work to whichever direction you'd prefer — work left to run Waveshaper or stay right to run Cutbait.

Once in the 9,000 CFS+ range, there is a hole on the left side directly after the 13th Street Bridge called Zambezi Hole. As flows increase, Zambezi Hole becomes larger.

Only in with flows of 9,000 CFS+, Rookie Crusher is located on the river left side and also known as a sneak line to avoid a possible Cutbait run.

Work to the left of the middle pylon of the 13th street bridge. From there, continue left with right to left momentum and follow the tongues to avoid the 'Rookie Crusher' hole, located on the right side of this rapid at the bottom. NOTE: As flows increase, Rookie Crusher hole becomes larger and stickier.

Once through this rapid, you're set up perfectly to run Waveshaper or catch the eddy on the river left side above Waveshaper.

A great spot to play at various levels at two to three units.  A quick recovery is needed to keep from washing down into Wave Shaper Rapid.  This hole is immediately above the Wave Shaper Rapid.

This picture was taken at 9000 cfs. At this level it is a fast moving feature with lots of action below the rapid. Current is very strong under the surface. You are led directly to The Good Wave below this rapid.

This feature exists at every flow level. As levels rise it becomes a tremendous wave. At flows above 8000 this becomes a class 3 wave. If the pool behind the wave is high and the flow is at least 8k there is marginal eddy service. At 13K there is reliable eddy service.

Directly downstream of Good Wave. A nice wave to work on surfing. At 2 units the shelf rock that forms rapid is close to surface so keep that boat upright. This wave tends to wash out after an hour or so of 3 or 4 unit release as the pool fills in.

Rehab is the name given to the swim one makes to the steps downstream during higher flows.  Attainment upstream during big releases is incredibly challenging.  The walk back to the island gives you time to reflect on why you missed your roll.