In fact, since I first did the trick almost 4 years ago, no one else has been able to "stick" the trick again to my knowledge. I returned to NZ again in 2006 but even after 10 attempts I still couldn't stomp it. Granted, the water levels were pretty low and every time I hit the rock. What makes this trick so challenging is finding the right waterfall to throw it off of. I have only found a handful of drops that are deep enough at the lip to support a bow stall initiation. I went to Celestial Falls 2 summers ago to try the trick again... However, Celestial is illegal to run and within a few moments we were kicked out of the park by a really uptight ranger who gives himself the alias of "The Guard Dog." I returned this spring on March 31st with the hopes that he would not be there. We all showed up at 9:00AM ready to film and huck. Tyler Bradt and myself would both be attempting the Hail Mary.
The rain was bitter cold and it was super windy out. Nonetheless, there was no telling when we might have another opportunity to try the trick and with no rangers in sight, it needed to happen quick. The parking lot was littered with kayaks, camera equipment, and friends who had come down from Hood River to film and shoot photos. I knew if a ranger drove by we would be busted instantly. We all geared up as quickly as we could and by 9:30 I was standing at the lip of a waterfall I had been dreaming about front flipping for 10 years. I cautiously hiked down the slippery rocks to the 10 foot seal launch above the falls. It's actually kind of a sketchy seal launch and you land in an eddie directly above a little undercut. Not that bad but you still need to pay attention. I dropped in and caught the eddie on river right. A thumbs up from Cody Howard of Huckin Huge Productions meant it was game on.
I really wanted to warm up with a freewheel but I was concerned about rangers showing up and knew I might only get one shot... The Hail Mary is the definition of commitment and I really didn't want to land on my face from this height... The falls was at a medium high level and everything was perfect. I peeled out of the eddie, initiated my double pump, and then looked down to the pool below. It was actually much higher looking then I expected and for a split second I thought I had maybe initiated too early. My bow tapped the rock a little bit and then at the last possible second I hucked myself forward as hard as I could. I felt the loop come around perfect and i was looking back down at the water... I landed pretty much dead flat and took a solid hit. Still, with that much aeration, it was no worries and I rolled up right away. Not the "perfect stick" I was hoping for, but I was surprised to have nailed the rotation first try. All my buddies were screaming from up on the cliffs and I was stoked to be ok. I thought about calling it good right then, but I knew I would not be satisfied until I stuck it clean.
Tyler tried his attempt next, but fell short after he initiated too early. Ian Garcia threw a free wheel and imploded his skirt. I went for a second attempt, but also started my initiation too early and backed out at the last second... While I was hiking back up for a third attempt I saw 2 rangers on the cliffs above and I knew it was over. They threatened us with fines and jail time but told us a "life ban" would suffice as long as we left within 10 minutes. They took our license #s while we loaded our boats and threw our gear into the cars. I was disappointed with not sticking the trick perfect, but also happy that we came away with anything at all. I'll be back to get stick it clean someday...
Rush's hail mary footage will be featured in the upcoming film "DREAM RESULT."
ALL PICTURES COURTESY IAN GARCIA & LANE JACOBS
Rush's words and Ian and Lanes pictures sourced from http://blog.teva.com
No comments:
Post a Comment