Ok after a little experimentation (and resulting from my really unbiased dislike of Mithalas as a whole; great, atmospheric area, just takes too long) I've found a way to get up the current-y entrance to the Veil from Open Waters 2 without using Ekkrit.
1. Bind one of the large boulders in the little gulch on the side of the path up.
2. Drop it in one of the little 45-degree slanted tiles on the left-hand side of the upper part of that room, with the strong current in sight.
3. Get a good angle on the briar missile
4. Ride baby ride
5. Enjoy Veil without Beast
Moral of the story: Briar missile is unaffected by currents.
This opens up a whole lot of sequence-breaky speed-run-y things such as Li for Mithala. It also opens up the speed run path [1.0]
Edit:
Video:
Home Waters
Song Cave
Energy Temple
Open Waters
Kelp Forest
Veil
Climb outside of Sun Temple, enter through the top
Grab Sun Form and exit back out the top
Abyss
Body
Anyways, Enjoy!
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E04xkDxlW9I