JACKSON KAYAKS TIPS FOR RIVER RUNNING!!!!!!!!!

Creeking Tips For First time HUCKSTERS!!

Billy Harris

Picture By Laura Finnegan. 

Fish Hatchery-MACKFESTIVAL Ontario Canada

Running a river can always get the heart rate up.  From the first time river trip to the class five “knarbuckle”.  There are some tips that you can use that will always put you in a good position to make good choices, as well as keep you on top of the proverbial food chain.

TIP #1

When running a river never use more than 25% power.  Power very rarely works to your advantage.  When you set up without power you have more options.  It keeps you calm, rapids come up slower, and you will have sustained energy for the entire river.  “When should I use 100%”.  Someone asked me this.  My answer, “you will always know when you need 100%.  Your goal is to never need it!!!

TIP #2

Float at an angle when running something new.  That angle should be set on a back ferry angle.  That way you have 2 options when you see something you don’t like.  Forward paddling or back ferrying away form the obstacle.

TIP#3

NEVER Follow if you can help it.  Following always puts you at a disadvantage.  When you follow you don’t learn to read water and you just interpret the rapid from the persons rate of stroke or their angle.  You stop looking at what the river is doing, and you learn nothing but hard lessons.

TIP#4

When learning to run rivers or running a river the first time there is a steadfast rule that not just makes sense but also makes you feel better about running something new.  EDDYS!!!  Your safe in an eddy for the most part.  Don’t you leave the eddy unless you have scouted the line or you see another eddy you would be safe in.  Pick the eddy out and decide if you can catch it safely.  If the answer is yes than go for it. 

TIP#5

Float the inside of a corner.  Floating the inside of an un-known Turn is a best practice.  The water is slower there, and junk gets deposited on the outside of river bends. 

Common sense is not all that common these days.  If you see a horizon line catch an eddy.  Natural selection in this world is a gift that keeps on giving.  Look understand and see what is ahead of you before you leap.  Its your responsibility to play and river run safe.  Do it as safe as you can, more often than not, the rapid will be there next time so walk if you don’t think you can pull it off.