Sjoa (Play Run)
| Stretch: | Above Faukstad |
| Difficulty: | Class III |
| Distance: | 3.4 miles |
| Flows: | 30 to 100+ cms |
| Gradient: | 45 fpm average |
| Put-in: | First bridge upstream of Faukstad |
| Take-out: | Near Rafting companies in Faukstad |
| Shuttle: | 3.5 miles (5 minutes one-way |
| Season: | May to August |
| Written: | © 2015 |
| Featured in A Wet State #103 | |
Norway 2015 - Day 12
We actually ran the Play Run a few times. First was the evening of the Store Ula, we made a quick lap that night prior to cooking dinner and heading to the Kayak Camp. The second time was after our day starting on the Åsengjuvet. Third, for some of the group was later that same day as safety kayakers for Paul's rafting group as the water was quite high and only inches from the rafting company's cut off.
The run is fun, at the high flow it was mainly just wave trains with a few obvious to avoid holes. The run had some great downriver waves on it along with one set near the end offering eddy service that was great for front surfing creekboats. The one bigger rapid is actually right at the end and should be run far left around the rather large in the middle of the river. We exited the river immediately below.
We had a "higher" flow for the run, at 351.8m, but honestly for kayakers this run probably has no normal high water limit.
Last: Norway 2015: Day 12 Continued - Sjoa (Bridge to Bridge)
Next: Norway 2015: Day 13 - Frya (Gorge)
Mi 0.0:
- Put-in Bridge (III). Directly below put-in is a bridge, the left channel was fluffy and fun, just stay away from the right half of that channel as at high flow a hole forms. The right channel is easy.
- Stay off the Left (III-). After some fun boogie there is a rapid that you just do not want to be far left on as there are some good size holes.
- Big Rock (III-). You enter a cool walled out gorge and you will see a huge rock in the middle of the river. Just go left of it, the rock has a lot of recirculation boiling up on its edge so give it a wide birth.
- Beer Machine (III to III+). Around the next corner you enter this rapid, known for dumping rafters out... and when that occurs the raft guide has to buy the other raft guides a beer. The rapid is on a right bend, just try to stay right and be ready for the hole at the peak of the bend, it is worse the farther left you are.
Some fun boogie, stuff that has names for the rafters but for kayakers is basically read and run
- Surf Spot (III-). After some cool scenery in the gorge you get to a cool surf spot with eddy service on the right. It is a nice set of waves. Just be aware that downstream the water goes into the right shore and it is enough to flip rafts.
Boogie then continues...
- Chicken Hole (III). Just below the bridge overhead, you come to this good size hole. Just go around it on the left and it is fine. We did see several rafts full of people get ejected in here. But it is mellow downstream for a few miles. Most take-out directly below on the left.
Take-out: From the confluence of the Sjoa and the Lågen, head up the Sjoa on 257 for 7.9 km. Look for the rafting companies as you get into the town of Faukstad. This is take-out. Though honestly, we accessed the river via a friend's house so I am not sure where the proper place to exit is.
Put-in: Continue up 257 for 4.7 km. Look for a bridge on your left once the river is roadside. This is put-in. Parking is on the far side of the river.
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