Boat Smith 2025: High Water, Big Rapids, and Epic Times
What a year at Boat Smith! The water raged, the vibes soared, and the festivities kept the stoke high.
This marked my first time at the event, and honestly, I had no idea what to expect. Leading up to Boat Smith, I couldn't wait to push my limits on new big water rivers.
Highway Rapid on the Middle Fork of the Smith River
Friday: High Water and Middle Fork Madness
Driving down through the heavy rain we kept excitedly checking the Smith River gauge every couple of hours. By the time we arrived on Friday, the river was a whopping 22,400 CFS—aka BIG WATER.
I linked up with some rafting buddies and met a few new kayakers, and we decided to run the Middle Fork all the way to Margie’s River Access. The run delivered nonstop Class III wave trains, a few holes to dodge, and one Class IV beast—Highway Rapid—which we easily scouted from river left. We had so much fun that we ran it twice in one day!
That night, we kicked back with a movie night featuring Slammin’ Salmon carnage videos—pure gold for anyone who loves chaotic rafting action.
North Fork of the Smith River
Saturday: Dropping Levels and North Fork Glory
Overnight, the rain let up, and by Saturday morning, the river had dropped to 10,500 CFS—perfect for my skill level. That meant the North Fork was finally in play! One of the most remote sections of the Smith, the North Fork has no road access along the run, just an untouched gorge packed with Darlingtonia plants.
We totally lucked out with the weather—blue skies nearly the whole way! At 15 miles long, the run plus shuttle made for a full-day adventure. The biggest rapid, Scout, served up serious action, and you can check out five different ways to run it here (because variety is the spice of whitewater). Golf Course Rapid lived up to its name—people say it has 18 holes, and while I didn’t count, I wouldn’t be surprised!
Scouting Scout Rapid on the North Fork of the Smith River
I skipped the race this year to take full advantage of the epic flows, but from what I heard, it was a blast with way less carnage than usual. Big shoutout to Nicole for running safety on the course!
Getting ready for the South Fork of the Smith River
Sunday: South Fork and Bonus Laps
On Sunday, we tackled another new section—the South Fork. The gnarly gorges weren’t in my comfort zone yet, but the longer roadside sections offered the perfect challenge. I grabbed a small Rewind kayak, and WOW—this boat ate up the big water! The South Fork dished out wave trains galore, spicy eddy lines, and a must-hit rapid toward the end: Surprise.
Since these runs sit right next to the road, we squeezed in another Middle Fork lap. At 10,000 CFS, the section had dropped just enough to reveal more rocks, but it still kept its continuous and playful character.
Stout Grove in the Redwoods
Beyond the River: Dance Parties and Redwoods
The off-river vibes were just as legendary. The Patrick Creek Campground dance party went off—complete with a DJ, a raffle, and some killer food trucks.
And can we talk about how close the Smith River is to the ocean and the redwoods? The North Fork shuttle drive surprised me with epic Pacific Ocean views. Plus, Stout Grove sat right there, so I spent Sunday morning wandering through giant redwoods, soaking in that ancient forest energy.
Yes, you can paddle the Smith River anytime, but nothing beats gathering with this many whitewater enthusiasts. Count me in for next year!
Friends celebrating an excellent weekend
