The river is channeled through a 300-metre-wide chute into a real wave train—waves the size of boxcars.
The local population is very friendly, the mood is relaxed, and you can find all the necessary amenities—a pool with hot showers, a movie theater, and a couple of watering holes to quench your thirst. Each of the Slave’s four main rapids—Cassette, Pelican, Mountain and Rapids of the Drowned—has its own put-in and take-out along the road from Fort Smith to Fort Fitzgerald. Since the rapids are a few kilo- metres long followed by lengthy portions of flatwater, each one is a separate day trip out of Fort Smith.
Cassette Rapids: Land of a Thousand Holes At the put-in for Cassette, the first rapid,
you’ll recognize the dock where old paddle- boats used to end their long journey down the river’s lake-like upper reaches. Named after a trading company’s money cassette lost on a misguided run through the rapids, this set is the most difficult to navigate. Here,the river is three kilometres wide with many islands breaking up its course. Ferrying across to the opposite side can take up to 45 minutes.
No snow? Whaddaya mean no snow? Aren’t we north of 60? Cassette is special for its amazing surf.
Waves named Outrageous and Rollercoaster offer big, fast,bouncy rides if it’s ideal water level and you know where to look. Along with the big waves goes an expansive area known as Land of a Thousand Holes that you must cross on your way to the
take-out.This run is a full day affair.
Pelican Rapids: Prepare to be Ragdolled The second set of rapids is notably larger
and more dangerous than Cassette. Most of the river is channeled through a 300-metre- wide chute into a real wave train— that is, the waves are actually the size of boxcars. On either side of the main flow are enor- mous holes with eddylines and whirlpools
2002 winter 27
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