Gear Garage Live Show

Elk River & Grand Canyon Footage | Gear Garage Live Show This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage live show, where Zach answers submitted questions and talks all things whitewater. In this episode, Zach recaps his recent experiences at Clackfest and shares advice for boaters exploring the technical coastal streams of Oregon. Episode Summary Zach kicks off the show with an enthusiastic review of the newly updated Clackfest, noting its recent shifts to a Friday start complete with product demos, educational classes, and a community gathering under a large event tent. Despite some heavy rain and unexpected weekend hailing, he highlights the exceptional participation across numerous multi-category river races. Zach expresses immense appreciation for the core team of volunteer planners, shuttle drivers, and gate judges who keep the historic whitewater festival running smoothly year after year. The main technical segment addresses a question from a boater who recently relocated to Port Orford. The viewer is looking to transition from a 14-foot Sotar down to a narrower 58-inch high-side paddle cataraft to navigate local coastal streams like the Elk River. Reviewing a blog post he wrote on the run, Zach confirms that a paddle cat is an exciting option, though he cautions boaters to watch out for meaty drops and unexpected river wood. He notes that the Elk River is completely rain-fed—meaning it is typically only runnable between November and April during select windows that might total around ten days a year. The episode wraps up with a look at historic Grand Canyon river footage, where Zach analyzes historical rowing techniques and compares modern high-performance setups with the traditional styles used in early western river running expeditions. Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode Events: Recapping the volunteer-run Clackfest updates and races. River Logistics: Reviewing the technical demands of Elk River kayaking and packrafting sections. Boat Choice: Discussing the agility of a paddle cataraft designs on narrow coastal creeks. Key Questions and Discussion Points Topic: Event Operations. What changes did the organizers implement to expand the festival schedule into Friday? Topic: Regional Boating. Is a 58-inch wide paddle cat suitable for handling the narrow gorges of the Elk River? Topic: Hydrology. How does the rain-fed nature of coastal streams limit the seasonal boating window in the Pacific Northwest? Connect with Zach Instagram YouTube Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage live show, where Zach answers submitted questions and talks shop on technical rafting. In this episode, Zach dives into the logistics of camp selection on the Middle Fork, discusses PFD innovations, and shares technical tips for raft maintenance. Episode Summary Zach starts the episode by highlighting the 40th anniversary of Clackamas River Festival and encouraging boaters to participate in the community races. The main technical discussion focuses on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, specifically how to navigate the camp lottery system and choose sites that accommodate larger groups and diverse frame setups. The conversation shifts to safety gear, where Zach reviews the new NRS Vector PFD. He provides an honest critique of its flotation profile and comfort for rowers. He also answers a detailed question about raft repair, specifically how to deal with delaminating floors and when it's time to retire a vintage boat versus performing a major patch job. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the value of subscribers for gear testing, explaining how a larger community allows him to get his hands on the newest equipment—like the NRS Vector—to provide unbiased reviews for the rafting public. Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode River Logistics: Planning for Middle Fork Salmon camps. Gear Reviews: The NRS Vector PFD and its design features. Maintenance: Using Stabond adhesive for structural raft repairs. Community: Participating in local whitewater festivals. Key Questions and Discussion Points Topic: Trip Planning. "How do I choose the best camps on the Middle Fork for a 12-person group?" Topic: PFD Design. "Is the NRS Vector a suitable replacement for the Zen or the Green Jacket?" Topic: Repair. "What is the best way to fix a 12-inch floor delamination on an old Hypalon boat?" Topic: Channel Growth. "How do gear companies decide which influencers get to test new equipment?" Connect with Zach Instagram YouTube Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where Zach answers submitted questions and talks all things whitewater. In this episode, Zach dives into the mechanics of counter-weighted oars, trailer organization for long trips, and provides a detailed review of the 16-foot Sotar Serge. Episode Summary Zach opens the show discussing counter-weighted oars, explaining how adding weight to the handle side can significantly reduce rower fatigue on long multi-day trips. He breaks down the balance point physics and why a slightly "blade-heavy" setup is often preferred over a perfectly neutral one to ensure the blades stay in the water during powerful strokes. The conversation shifts to logistics with a segment on packing a gear trailer. Zach shares his "Tetris" philosophy for organizing rafts, frames, and dry boxes to prevent shifting during long mountain drives. He emphasizes the importance of weight distribution—keeping the heaviest items over the axle—and using high-quality cam straps instead of ratchets to protect fragile raft tubes. Finally, Zach reviews the WING Serge, a 16-foot raft known for its aggressive tracking and stability. He compares it to other "big water" boats, noting its unique diminishing tube design which allows it to punch through holes while maintaining the flotation needed for heavy gear hauls on rivers like the Main Salmon or the Grand Canyon. Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode Gear Setup: Counter-weighted oar handles and balance points. Logistics: Trailer packing tips for multi-day river expeditions. Raft Review: The 16' WING Serge and its performance characteristics. Safety: Using cam straps vs. ratchet straps for trailer transport. Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section Topic: Oar Balance. "Should I add lead shot to my oar handles if they feel too heavy in the blades?" Topic: Boat Comparison. "How does the Sotar Serge compare to a standard 16-foot AIRE raft?" Topic: Transport. "What is the best way to stack multiple rafts on a flatbed trailer?" Topic: Rowing Technique. "Do counter-weights make it harder to 'feel' the water during technical moves?" Connect with Zach Instagram YouTube Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage live show, where Zach answers submitted questions and discusses technical rafting setups. In this episode, Zach covers everything from oar tower spacing to the nuances of Wing raft fabrics, and shares a pointed "white-water vs. swift-water" perspective on rescue training. Episode Summary Zach kicks off the show with a shout-out to GoRafting.com, highlighting their digital river maps that work through the Far Out app. He notes that while paper maps are traditional, the ability to have GPS-located camps, updated rapid descriptions, and photos directly on your phone is a game-changer for multi-day trips like the Grand Canyon or Middle Fork. A significant portion of the Q&A focuses on oar frame setup. Zach addresses the distance between oar towers, advising that your hands should be positioned similarly to a push-up stance for maximum rowing efficiency. He also clarifies his stance on Search and Rescue (SAR) training, explaining the difference between his expertise in "whitewater rescue" (focused on river guiding and recreational boating) and the more specialized "swiftwater rescue" used by first responders. The episode wraps up with a technical look at raft construction, specifically discussing the fabrics used by Wing. Zach answers questions about the durability and repairability of different materials, helping boaters understand what to look for when choosing a high-performance raft. Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode Sponsor: GoRafting.com digital river guides. Training: Northwest Rafting Company's online rowing and rescue schools. Technical Gear: Oar tower spacing and leverage ratios. Raft Brands: Wing Rafts and fabric specifications. Key Questions from the Episode Topic: Training. "What curriculum should a Search and Rescue unit focus on for basic swiftwater awareness?" Topic: Digital Maps. "Do digital maps like GoRafting have information that traditional paper guides miss?" Topic: Oar Setup. "How far apart should my oar towers be for effective rowing?" Topic: Raft Fabric. "What makes Wing fabrics different from other manufacturers?" Connect with Zach Instagram YouTube Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where Zach talks shop on technical rafting setups and river safety. In this episode, Zach dives into the math behind oar length, the essential knots every boater must know, and a controversial "rant" about the dangers of rescue harnesses for most private boaters. Episode Summary Zach starts the episode with a technical deep dive into oar length. He explains that choosing the right oar isn't just about the width of the boat, but about the "leverage ratio" between the inboard and outboard sections. He provides a specific formula to help boaters find their "sweet spot" to avoid fatigue and shoulder injury while maintaining power in heavy water. The conversation shifts to essential skills, specifically knots. Zach identifies the few critical knots that solve 99% of river problems, emphasizing the Bowline, the Figure 8 series, and the Taut-line hitch. He argues that mastery of a few versatile knots is far superior to having a shallow understanding of many. The episode concludes with a serious safety discussion regarding rescue harnesses (quick-release belts) on PFDs. Zach shares his concern that many boaters wear them without ever practicing "live bait" rescues, effectively carrying a "loaded gun" on their chest. He challenges the industry to reconsider if these tools belong in the hands of anyone without professional-level training and constant practice. Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode Technical Skills: Essential knots for rafting and rowing. Gear Setup: Calculating oar length leverage ratios. Safety Controversy: The pros and cons of PFD rescue harnesses. Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section Topic: Oar Length. "How do I know if my oars are too long or too short for my frame width?" Topic: Knots. "What is the best knot for tying a raft to a trailer or a tree?" Topic: PFD Features. "Should I buy a rescue vest even if I haven't taken a swiftwater course?" Topic: Frame Setup. "Does oar tower height affect the leverage of my rowing stroke?" Zach’s Key Takeaways The 1:2 Leverage Rule: Aim for a leverage ratio where your inboard length is roughly half of your outboard length to maximize efficiency. Practice the Release: If you wear a rescue harness, you must practice pulling the toggle under tension; otherwise, it’s a liability, not a safety tool. Knot Mastery: If you can't tie a Bowline behind your back or in the dark, you don't know it well enough yet for a high-stress river rescue. Connect with Zach Instagram YouTube Zach Collier is the owner of Northwest Rafting Company and an International Rafting Federation Rafting Instructor. He has decades of river guiding and expedition experience across the American West and internationally, specializing in technical rowing and professional guide training.