Sandy Beach/O-Deck
Description
Primarily a playspot with large surfing waves. Adjacent to Fisherman's Eddy. Using this for a downriver trip is inconvenient because shuttle must be set on Virginia side of river.
Easiest access is from the VA side as a park & surf. Enter Great Falls park and take an immediate right into the first parking area. Just above the lower observation deck is the trail down to Fishermans eddy. Carefully work down the steep trail to the waters edge. Ferry across and slightly upstream to access the O-deck wave.
From the MD side you will have to work upstream past the mouth of the fishladder and attain up about another 300 yards to access O-deck.
O-Deck 1
Boat: longboat
Levels: 3.6-3.8 ft
The wave just above the normal odeck wave. From the river left eddy
attain to river right, then paddle up and ferry back river left to get
on this wave. Or catch it on your way down from the falls.
O-Deck 2
Boat: RPM type, longboat, maybe fast creekboat
Levels: 3.3-3.9 ft
The normal odeck wave, parallel to the end of the rock outcropping river left.
O-Deck 3
Boat: creek boat, fast playboat
Levels: 3.3-3.6ft
The wave below the odeck 2 wave. At the lower levels it often has a foampile. Higher levels and it’s a green wave.
Boat: playboat
Levels: 2.7-3ft
A small pour over hole, the sides are great for cartwheels.