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Update 2005: Unfortunately, this hole was washed out by flooding and no longer exists.

Playspot: USA, Tennessee, Big Pigeon River, Den Den's Hun Hole (aka Snapdragon, Rollercoaster)

What's it like

Den den's is almost a river wide shelf that makes an excellent playspot. The shelf creates a rather good size breaking wave. The eddy is on river left and is rather small (3-4 boats is comfortable, 5-6 messy). with a little determination, the wave can be caught and surfed from a bigger eddy upstream but that is a one shot deal. Once in the wave you will find a large sweetspot that is excellent for most freestyle moves. The wave moves rather quickly and if you wash out, immediately begin to paddle back to the eddy. If the first eddy is missed, there is a second one right below the first. Unfortunately, if you catch the second eddy, you will have to bail out of your boat and carry it back to the wave. The best time to run any section of the Pigeon is on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday between 12.00 pm and 6.00pm during the recreational releases. This is also the best water level to play in Den Den's Hun hole.

How to get there

Take interstate 40 to exit 451 Waterville Rd. and cross the bridge. If you follow this road it will take you to the big boat launch, but if you take the first left after the bridge, you will discover another put-in. This put-in is a mile closer to Den Den's but you do miss a few fun other playspots.

Locals

The closest town is Hartford, Tn. The town is approximately 65% river guides/kayakers/canoeists, 35% residents. Shuttles are not too hard to come by and most people you encounter will be boaters.

Info sources

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