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Guess I'm ready, but obviously don't know what to expect since I've never paddled it.
Roll's pretty good I guess. Last Sunday at the Nantahala I flipped in the entrance to Nantahala Falls but hit my roll and caught the river right eddy. Then I attempted a ferry river left into truckstop and got flipped. Missed my roll cuz I guess I got kinda freaked flipping at the top of the falls. Decided to ride out the rapid upside-down instead of pulling the skirt and got to the bottom, missed another roll but grabbed some much needed oxygen, and hit the next roll.
Obviously my ferry skills are weak. Boat control in whitewater/wavetrains no problem it's just the eddy->current->eddy stuff that gets me sometimes.
I would like to start out running below double suck just to get a taste of the river, I think what you guys call the Ocoee primer. Also, don't most of the rapids have sneak lines that I could utilize if necessary?
There are numerous reasons why I want to move up to this river. First, gas prices are ridiculous. Traveling the 2+ hrs. to the Nantahala is getting old. The Nantahala is so much fun, and I know that I should practice more there but I'm tired of the drive, especially without someone to split gas. The Ocoee is closer, and there are a lot more people I could share rides with to the Ocoee. I mean I put a post on the Planner for a carpool up to the Nantahala from Atlanta (I had a whole week off) a month ago and one person responded only it was two weeks later. Secondly, and most importantly, I'm ready to step up my skill level. I know my limits and by no means am I trying to rush things, but I feel that I am ready to experience something a little more difficult.
Tell me why I should/shouldn't head to the Ocoee. It is impossible for you guys to give me a definite answer, seeing as how you haven't boated with me, but your opinion is well appreciated anyway. Thanks a lot for the help!!
Joseph Clayton
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Looking for someone to show me down the Ocoee for my first time New 
BoaterTalk 
