Keep On Paddling!

This is the last of three new paddler newsletters. We hope to see you out on the water soon!

Paddling Focus

River Etiquette
As more people learn to paddle whitewater, the rivers are becoming more congested. To lessen traffic problems on the river and ensure that everyone has a good time, you can practice good river etiquette.

Be considerate of all other river users and land owners. There are many different recreational users on our rivers. Be considerate of all these users, including anglers, tubers and other paddlers.
Remember that the boat traveling downstream has the right of way. If you are in an eddy or on a wave, and someone is paddling downstream, then you should give way to them. Whenever leaving an eddy, think of it as stepping off the sidewalk. Look both ways! That said, if someone is surfing, just being upstream does not give you the right to take the wave from them.
Observe the tonnage law: If it is bigger and less maneuverable than you, it may be prudent to get out of its way.
Be aware that a line of paddlers may form near a really cool play spot. If you want to play, you must wait in line too.
If the eddy is full, try the next one. On the other hand, if paddlers are trying to get into the eddy you are in, it may be time to move on.
Try to stay clear of instructional groups. Remember what it was like to be a beginner and give other folks the same consideration you would have wanted.

Networking: Local Paddling Clubs

Housatonic Area Canoe and Kayak Squad - The HACKS are an informal group of paddlers in the Northwestern corner of Connecticut. Much of their paddling is done on the Housatonic River. Contact: Clark Outdoors (860) 672-6365

Kayak & Canoe Club of New York – KCCNY is one of the largest whitewater clubs in the East, and despite the name, serves New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut as well as New York, where we formed in 1959. KCCNY features a whitewater paddling program with novice, intermediate, or expert trips planned for each weekend of the paddling season, though the die hard paddle year round! They run rivers from Canada to the Carolinas, with most trips within a three-hour drive of New York City.

Merrimack Valley Paddlers - A paddling club from the central New Hampshire area that is active in recreational paddling and squirt boating and is involved in river conservation issues in their region. Contact: George May, 157 Naticook Rd., Merrimack, NH 03054 (603) 883-3409 or email georgemay@comcast.net.

University of Massachusetts Outing Club (UMOC) - Their tongue-in-cheek motto is "We take people out into the woods and do things with them." This welcoming local organization leads all sorts of recreational activities, including (of course) whitewater paddling.

Vermont Paddlers Club - VPC organizes a whitewater and flatwater canoe and kayak trips while simultaneously promoting education, awareness and conservation.

River Stewardship: American Rivers and the National River Clean-Up

American Rivers is the "leading conservation organization standing up for healthy rivers so communities can thrive." One of their most popular conservation efforts is the National River Cleanup. With over 322 river cleanup locations nationally, you can probably find one nearby, or you can organize your own! The amount of support provided by American Rivers makes National River Cleanup an easy way to give back to your local watershed.

Learning About Your Equipment: Sprayskirt, Float Bags, and Clothing

Sprayskirt The sprayskirt keeps the water out of the cockpit of your boat. It is sized for your waist and the cockpit rim, and should fit the boat well without proving impossible to put on. Make sure that you can remove it from the boat easily and that the tunnel fits your waist comfortably snug. Expect to spend between $100 - $160 for a new sprayskirt.
Float Bags Float bags are essential: they provide buoyancy for your boat in rough water and make it easier to rescue your boat when you swim. They also give your boat some structural integrity if it pins to an object. Float bags cost about $30 each, $60 for a set.
Clothing/Shoes You will need to dress according to the weather and water temperature. As the weather gets colder, start layering and adding dry-tops and/or wet suits. Just remember to dress for the worst, be it a swim or a rescue. Don't go barefoot! Get yourself a good pair of draining booties and wear them in your boat. Inside the boat, your feet will be protected. Outside the boat, you'll be able to move faster over rocks.

Continuing Education at Zoar Outdoor: Swiftwater Rescue Courses

When paddling whitewater, paddlers need to learn not only how to navigate the water, but also how to cope with situations when something goes wrong. Swiftwater Rescue Courses are offered throughout the year and are a great idea for anyone spending time on the water. Zoar offers one and two day Basic River Rescue Workshops as well as an Advanced River Rescue workshop. Learn how to be in the right spot at the right time with the right gear.

Paddling Techniques and Tips

Eddy Turn and Peel Out – entering and exiting eddies

Speed is needed to drive across the eddy line before you start turning. Eddy lines are unstable zones, so spend as little time on them as possible.
Position your boat and set the appropriate Angle for efficient maneuvering. Position your boat to enter and exit the eddy as high as possible which will give you the maximum turning potential and high fun factor. The specific angle of entry will vary depending on the flow and the size of the arching turn but it is roughly 30 to 60 degrees to the current. Enter the eddy by paddling downstream with an angle driving across the eddy line; keep paddling all the way up into the eddy. Exit the eddy by paddling upstream with an angle driving across the eddy line into the current.
Use your Vision to look where you want to go and you will go there!!
Edge (Carve, Tilt, Lean) your BOAT into the turn. No matter what you call it you need to be consistent and continue the edge throughout the turn. Flips usually occur when you drop your edge too soon.
Connect turns by carving a “S” shape with your boat. You will need to smoothly do a turning stroke to change the boat's direction, switch edges, and then look into your new turn. Don't forget to keep paddling.

Ferry - move laterally across the current

Speed is needed to drive across the eddy line before you start your ferry. Eddy lines are unstable zones so spend as little time on them as possible. Be ready to do a corrective stroke as the bow crosses the eddy line since it wants to turn.
Position your boat and set an appropriate Angle for efficient maneuvering. Position your boat to exit the eddy as high as possible. Maintain and adjust the boat angle to use the rivers power to move laterally across the current. In stronger current, use a more conservative angle; in slower current, use a more open angle.
Vision. Look where you want to go and you will go there!!
Edge (Carve, Tilt, Lean) your BOAT in the direction you are ferrying. No matter what you call it, you need to be consistent and continue the edge as long as your boat is ferrying.
Switch edges. You will need to switch edges once you cross into an eddy or if you change direction. Think of this like a small eddy turn or s-turn. If you don’t, you could trip over the eddy line.

Thoughts on River Running

Plan your next set of moves on the river before you leave the eddy line. If you're not set up properly, you are most likely just wasting energy fighting the river.
Relax and slow down to feel what the water is doing. Let the water do the work - don't fight or force it.
Practice catching eddies and ferrying backwards to increase your stern awareness - in a hole, you are facing backwards as much as you are facing forwards.
When tandem canoeing, make sure you are communicating and paddling in unison with your paddling partner. Do not assume they can read your mind.
To better understand how to work with the water, practice connecting maneuvers using as few strokes as possible.
Whatever you do, act like you meant to do it. Have all excuses prepared ahead of time.

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