Whitewater Kayaking For Beginners

Whitewater kayaking challenges both body and mind, and, for many, it feeds the spirit as well. Many paddlers are drawn to the sport for the thrill and adrenaline rush that comes with running a big rapid; others become fascinated by a firsthand, on-the-water understanding of river dynamics. Whatever your attraction, it is best to approach whitewater kayaking in progressive steps that allow you to safely learn effective techniques, proper form, recommended safety measures and basic river physiology.

Types

Whitewater kayaks come in three major types: river runner, creek boat and play boat. They range in size from about 5 feet to 9 feet long. Play boats are the shortest and smallest of the three. They turn and spin easily and are designed for river rodeo tricks and surfing. Creek boats and river runners are a little bit longer and are designed for downriver maneuverability. Creek boats have additional design features that help them ride high and resurface quickly in large-volume creeks and other turbulent water conditions.

Skills

You should first learn proper paddling strokes. Basic strokes include the forward and reverse stroke and the sweep and reverse sweep. There are more advanced strokes, but you can learn these after you've gained some experience. For whitewater paddling, execute your forward and reverse strokes with a near-vertical paddle. Lean forward and reach and pull so that your back and abs contribute. You can tell that you are doing this correctly by occasionally looking down at your life vest. It should move 45 degrees with each stroke, and your boat should go straight. Sweep strokes, in contrast, are wide strokes that will turn your boat. For an effective sweep stroke rotate your entire torso, not just your shoulders and arms.

Mistakes

Beginning whitewater paddlers often try to use reverse strokes to help steer their boat. While this seems to work, it stops forward momentum and will result in losing control of the boat. Instead, use sweep strokes to steer the boat and save reverse strokes for when you need to slow down or stop. Many beginners also make the mistake of leaning away from a rock as they hit it. This can cause you to flip over. Instead, always lean into rocks.

Techniques

Learning eddy turns and ferrying will help you understand an important aspect of whitewater paddling: angle and boat lean. These techniques are usually taught in an introductory whitewater class. You can certainly bomb down rivers without knowing these techniques, but learning them will increase your boat control, river sense, paddling skill and safety.

Safety

Leaning to kayak whitewater includes learning safety and rescue techniques. Because you are safer in your boat than in the water, you should learn and continue to practice a kayak roll. You do not, however, have to know how to roll before kayaking whitewater; you can learn the wet exit. For a wet exit, you pull off your boat's spray skirt and exit the boat while in the water. Never try to stand up in moving water; if you do, you may have the unpleasant and potentially deadly experience of foot entrapment, a situation where your foot gets jammed under a rock or log while the current continues to push the rest of your body downstream and under water. Other safety skills to learn and practice include self-rescue, using a rescue rope and avoiding such hazards as downed trees, submerged dams, undercut rocks and powerful hydraulics.

Tips

Learning the many skills of whitewater kayaking will not happen overnight. To continue enjoying the sport, progress slowly and enjoy the process. Do not feel pressured into attempting a run you do not feel ready for. This is not only dangerous, but it could also ruin the joy of the sport for you.