The Global Paddling Community

Playspot: USA, South Carolina, Columbia, Saluda river, Pop-up hole, aka Moshpit

What's it like

It can range from a pourover to a meaty ledge hole. It is best around 3500 to 4500 cfs (easy to link moves). Most of the time you can only cartwheel to the left but at higher flows you can wheel either way. It has a good access eddy.

At low flows it is perfect to practice your enders, pirouettes, cartwheels, and mystery moves.

The water is cold all the time (around 50°F) and is always running (dam controlled), so you can count on a playspot there in one form or another.

How to get there

Heading towards Columbia on I-26 get onto I-126 towards Columbia. Take the River Bank Zoo exit. Turn left at the stop sign. Turn left towards the zoo. Turn right into the parking lot. Take another right after you cross over the railroad tracks. Then head to the end of the parking lot. There is a short trail here that leads to the river. Now paddle around the little Island and head upstream to river right for the hole.

More info

For water levels call +1-800-830-LAKE ext. 2. It can run from 1 turbine to 5 turbines. One turbine is about 800 cfs. Five turbines can go up to 20.000 cfs. The hole washes out around 5000 cfs. When it does there are other holes and waves opening up in Millrade Rapid (just upstream).

Locals

There is a really good crowd of local paddlers here. Hardly any rafts, but in summer time there are a lot of locals who tube the river and will drop into the hole and get worked. It's a sight to see.

Info sources

Andy Grizzell