We are in the middle of a strong rain storm that is predicted to last all day and subside early Sunday. Flows got real high last night and will likely happen again today. Water temp is in the low 50’s and will likely stay. You will need proper thick wetsuits to go out today 5/4 w/ hoodie, thick booties, and thick gloves. BE CAUTIOUS AND IF IN DOUBT DON’T GO OUT!.
Sixx was surfed at 7am but looks like it has blown out. Sixx might be surfable if the flow backs off. We do know from experience that Sixx can’t be shaped over 650cfs. The pole cam is your friend today. The gauge might hang up for hours at a time but will give you an idea what the trend is of going up or dropping down.
Chiclets blows out typically by like 350cfs to 400cfs and becomes a concern for those surfing Benni’s at high flows as the water spills over the rocks.
Benni’s might be surfable all day today depending upon how the wave was left shaped. There is no real top end to Benni’s to surf flow-wise but it gets scary and the eddy service becomes narrow and you really have to surf it with someone that is used to high flows at Benni’s. Also have to watch out if you get washed down to Chiclets where you ideally want to go thru center of Chiclets instead of over the side rocks. If you do go over Chiclets’ side rocks, go over it loose floating feet up on your back so as not to get a foot hold… Also, don’t use a leash. And if you do use a leash and are heading toward the rocks of Chiclets, pre-release your QR leash so you don’t get entangled in the rocks.
Scout Update: Good news, appears that Scout is surfing real good this morning at 800cfs+/- similar to what is was like at the same flows as last year. REP is turning out to be geniuses on Scout 3.0 even with the boat chute mandate imposed on them. Not sure how river left (“sunny side” goofy foot) eddy is like but the other side eddy is buttery. So really even at 800cfs, there is no need for a leash at Scout… PFDs? That is a different story. Word is that no ground was given by CPW on the rules change for CGA PFD requirement. Sadly the law is not clear on the requirement for pfds for surfboards in river waves. Personally, they are going to have to give me a ticket when I surf Scout because for me a CGA pfd combined with my wetsuit buoyancy is way above the Coast Guard’s intent on floatation total requirements in the water, and I find it more dangerous with too much floatation while river surfing like a bobbing cork to be hit with my board in the face. If you are used to a CGA pfd while river surfing, then cool, and that is respected but respect should be given towards those who don’t use big pfd’s in the river wave for various reasons…
Again, BE SAFE TODAY AND IN DOUBT, DON’T GO OUT!
LBK
The Denver Surf Report 