Lucky 13, Solstice Wave, Big Brilliant.

The Valhallas, Gwillim Lake Photo: Andrea Miller-Ryman


The Valhalla is derived from the word Valholl, or “Hall of the Slain” it is also often referred to as an ideal heavenly place. The Valhalla Mountains and the surrounding area of the West Kootenays fit both descriptions. I like to think of this area being a place where outdoor sport warriors retire to and enjoy the epic paddling, climbing, powder, and biking as long as they live. Like the Viking warriors who were granted entry to Valhalla after a heroic death in battle, Outdoor gurus flock to the area in hopes of undisturbed recreation in one of the best areas in the world for whatever floats your boat. In our paddling community we are blessed with paddlers with years of experience from all areas of the continent who have decided to live here and reap the rewards of the standard setting conquests of their adventurous youth. Why the West Kootenays? You’ll have to discover that for yourself, words cannot explain the untamed beauty of the land and its people.

Just in case you don’t know, the West Kootenays host some of the best whitewater on the planet. I could be shot for suggesting such a thing since the locals tend to harvest secrets about how good the paddling here really is. On my inaugural trip down to Brilliant wave I realized this first hand. It was a sunny day in August and I had heard a great deal about Brilliant Wave and how great it was in both May and August from some friendly locals. I decided to see for myself, with my trusty Liquid Logic Skip and my camera-totting wife we drove down to the Brilliant Bridge. On the way in we approached a grey haired warrior known as “JD”. I stopped him to ask if the wave was good noticing that he was just leaving it. His response was a little disappointing-“no good, not worth putting in” he said with a scowl on his face. Well, being the kind of person who likes to check things out for himself I drove on ignoring the warning from the local kayak guru. I decided to walk down to the wave instead of paddling up the eddy to escort my wife down with me. When I first saw a glimpse of the famed wave I giggled like schoolboy, was that old guy full of shit or what? It appears he was full to the brim. The wave was beyond my expectations actually, half way through a ride I decided to move to the area and try to carve out a living so I could carve the wave on a regular. That was my first experience of the secret paddling that goes on in the koots; it would not be the last.

The Layout of massive play Photo: Chris Ryman

I will apologise in advance to the secret-keeping locals, as I am about to drop a big one. The Koots have been blessed with another series of world-class surf waves. Solstice wave, Lucky 13, and of course, Brilliant wave, bigger and better than ever. It appears that the high water we have been having coupled with the rumor that the turbines at the Brilliant Expansion Project are not operating at full potential have left us with some REALLY big waves. Lucky 13 is created by the island we eddy into to catch Brilliant at lower flows, the wave above it, Solstice is like a standing ocean wave with a sweet green shoulder that curls into a foam pile from river right to left. Brilliant, usually a wash at this level is a screaming air platform that surges between a really steep and green wave to a crashing wave that launches paddlers into outer space. If you are skilled and have unlimited energy you can surf all three in one shot. The waves are eddy accessible with a short 4-meter hike. Don’t bother paddling up from the bridge, as the water is too high and pushy, walk down from the dead end via the railroad tracks and sketchy path that cuts back down to the wave. BE CAREFUL, test all rocks before planting on them as some like to shift and roll.

Solstice Wave Photo: Bradd Tuck

Chad Voykin, leten'er fly Photo: Bradd Tuck

Me performing my favourite trick, The backstab. Photo: Bradd Tuck

Hayden Standige, young ripper getting cashed at Solstice, Photo: Bradd Tuck


Just to back up my claim that the West Kootenays area a world class paddling destination I will list some play spots and classic creeks.

Creeks
Koch
Lemon
Enterprise
Wilson
Kuskanux
St. Leon
Pingston
Whatshan
Summit
Keen
Coffee
Kokanee
And more

Play spots

Rock Island (low)
Hero Hole
Trail Wave

Rock Island (high)
Industrial
The Stacks
One Shot
The Whirl pools (see WaveSport 1997 promo)

Brilliant (May, August, High water, December-March)
Gens Revenge
Jedi Wave
Ace Hole
Lucky 13
Solstice Wave

Trail Area
Blueberry
River Vale

And more….

Come check it out for yourself! If you come in July like everybody else you may be disappointed as it is the only month we get skunked.

See you on the River,

Chris Ryman