The course exists in an old millrace channel adjacent to this large dam on the St.Joseph River, in downtown South Bend, Indiana. It is primarily designed for slalom racing and associated practice, while also providing recreation for the public. (As of this writing, they charge $2/person/ride for rafting (or $10/6rides) and a flat $6/person/session weekends or $3 weekdays for those bringing their own gear.) Usually one weekend in June and another in August are tied up with races, closing it for public use. Recorded information is available
at (219)233-6121.
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The course starts through three scissors/ramp-type gates which
regulate the flow of water to the course. Uniform, easy side-surf waves
form at the base of these gates. Shortly downstream there are two pair
of square fiberglass "rocks" forming small chutes to one side of the course.
Between some of these it is possible to get some easy ender action.
After a few more minor "obstacles" the course is squeezed to ½
its width by a large wall on the right, forming a pool above, a good chute/eddy/double
wave/hole combination below, allowing for one good eddy turn in and either
a ripping good peelout or technical ferry out to attempt to surf the waves
(the current is VERY strong, and if you 'miss', it is unlikely you will
be able to get a second chance till your next carry up and run).
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A few more minor obstacles and opportunities will bring you to
another large wall (this time on the left) forming a good eddy above a
double hydraulic formed by submerged walls. The first of these is fairly
'sticky', allowing for great surfing, 180's, some enders, and practice
for 'window-shading' (intentionally or not). Good strong strokes
may be needed to break free of this wave, and to regain the eddy above
and alongside it before being swept into the second smaller, less 'sticky'
wave, and subsequently down the course.
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Below the double hydraulic, the course passes under the road,
with significant drop, therefore picking up speed before coming out onto
a small surfable wave. Again there are continued minor features with some
eddy-turn/peel-out/easy surf possibilities, until the last couple hundred
feet of the course, where the remaining fall is unobstructed as the 'race'
rejoins the main channel of the St.Joseph River. Depending on the level
of the main channel and the volume of the release, a wave may build here
which is good for practice on peel-outs, ferries, and smooth front-on surfing. |
