| Description: The Spokane
River's other high water play spot is located in Post Falls' (Idaho)
Corbin Park. The Corbin Park Wave is a powerful diagonal wave the
powers you forward into a closed corner challenging you to throw a
big right blunt or back stab. At higher water levels, just before
the wave greens out, this taller more vertical wave will let you
charge down into trough and bounce into air blunts and other dynamic
moves. The Corbin Park Wave is well
known for the turbulent water behind the wave. The fast current here
funnels into a pool where two circulating eddy move counter the main
flow. These opposing forces generate some funny swirling water and
some good sized whirlpools especially above 17,000 cfs. Most
paddlers will end up wrestling a couple of whirlpools during a
session on their way back to the eddy. For strong paddlers with a
solid roll this funny water is hardly more than a nuisance and
entertainment for their friends in the eddy. A swimmer might find
the whirlpools and funny water to be a little more serious, in short
probably not a good place for rookie paddlers. |
| Eddy Service: There is a pretty much
a no miss eddy for wave unless you get hijacked by a whirlpool
behind the wave. |
| Water Levels:
14,500 cfs to 16,500 cfs:
The wave is there but smaller and not very dynamic, spins and right
blunts.
17,000 cfs to 22,000
cfs:
The best levels for the wave in terms of the size and power of the
break. The optimal level for the wave is 21,000 cfs.
Above 23,000 cfs:
The wave greens out and is no longer worth surfing. |
| Gauge: Spokane River at Spokane. Take
into account that it the spring the flows of side tributaries will
boost the gauge reading by several thousand cfs at the playspots, so
make sure that flows are a bit above the minimum. |
| Season: Spring, Early Summer |
Difficulty: The wave is not hard to
surf but watch out for funny water and whirlpools behind the waves.
Beginners and those without a strong roll probably shouldn't play
here.
|
| Driving Directions: From I-90 heading
East from Spokane into Idaho take Exit 2 in Post Falls, The Pleasant
View Road Exit. Take a right at
the stop sign and then a quick left onto River Bend Avenue before
you get to the strip malls. Follow River Bend Avenue East about a
1/2 mile and then turn right onto Corbin Rd., following the signs
directing you to Corbin Park. Proceed on Corbin Rd. until you enter
the park. Once you are in the park drive as far upstream as you can
in the park. The park road ends at a large gravel turn-out where a
the river bends take a fast left turn before crashing into a large
circulating pool. From this turn out you should be able to see the
wave.
From I-90 heading West from Post Falls, ID take Exit 2 in Post
Falls, The Pleasant View Road Exit. Take a left and then drive under
I-90 and take the first left beyond the east-bound entrance to I-90
onto River Bend Avenue before you get to the strip malls. Follow
River Bend Avenue East about a 1/2 mile and then turn right onto
Corbin Rd., following the signs directing you to Corbin Park.
Proceed on Corbin Rd. until you enter the park. Once you are in the
park drive as far upstream as you can in the park. The park road
ends at a large gravel turn-out where a the river bends take a fast
left turn before crashing into a large circulating pool. From this
turn out you should be able to see the wave. |
| Closest Town: Post Falls, ID |
| Closest Services: The discount mall
is only moments away by car. |
| Other Local Attractions if the play isn't
in: Most likely one or more play spots will be in. |
| Closest Camping: There are numerous
campgrounds around Lake Couer d'Alene to the East on I-90. |
| Local's Tips: Between 7,000 and
12,000 there is a dead zone...otherwise there is always something to
play. |
| Local Kayak Shops:
Mountain Gear in Spokane. |