This mediocre but useful "playhole" has been a training ground for beginning kayakers learning to sidesurf and spin for decades. More advanced paddlers can tool around in there and throw lots of marginally satisfying low-angle retentive ends (at the lower end of the workable range). It's a great place to teach, and mess around while you teach. Also a great place to intersperse bridge jumping with playboating.
The "hole" is best between about 600cfs and 1000cfs on the white river usgs gauge. At the top end it's a flushy wave that will take careful freestyle moves in a fast boat, at the bottom end a weakish hole upon which you can force freestyle moves. This is a medium-low level for the white and it often hangs out at this level for several days in a row, if not weeks. Late spring and fall are the most reliable times for this hole. It certainly comes in periodically in the summer as well.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS IS THE ONLY PLAYSPOT ANYWHERE IN THE REGION THAT IS RELIABLY LIT BY STREETLIGHTS! The outflow is about as safe as it gets so NIGHT SURFING!!! Even when there's no full moon, you can hit this spot at night. Just don't be so loud that the neighbors call the cops on you.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS IS THE ONLY PLAYSPOT ANYWHERE IN THE REGION THAT IS RELIABLY LIT BY STREETLIGHTS! The outflow is about as safe as it gets so NIGHT SURFING!!! Even when there's no full moon, you can hit this spot at night. Just don't be so loud that the neighbors call the cops on you.
upstream view from the hole
The hole is located at the takeout for the normal West-Hartford, VT beginners run on the White. It is immediately upstream of the takeout bridge (Quechee-West Hartford Rd.) just off of Rte 14.
Be careful not to get jumped on if there are bridge jumpers!
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