how to paddle a whitewater raft

Of course our professional river guides always start each rafting trip with instructions and demonstrations on how to paddle along with some safety tips you will need to know. To get a solid back stroke, you'll still begin leaning forward, but with the paddle back and against the top of your leg. In early Spring, the water may be a little chilly. Placing both hands along the shaft will also result in a less productive stroke. Back paddling, which will enable the raft to move backward or slow down, is accomplished by dropping a blade into the water at an opposite angle to your front stroke, and then pushing the water ahead, as opposed to pushing it toward the rear. The Sweep Stroke : A sweep enables a raft to initiate a spin or a sharp turn, and it is particularly helpful in rough currents. Each tailored to specific whitewater needs. A front or a back ferry. The technique you use when paddling a raft plays a huge role is the ease, accuracy, and enjoyment of your rafting adventure. PADDLE WITH PURPOSE. Employment Information Everyone behind: follow their lead. You want to pull strong paddle strokes, but half a boat stroking hard won’t be nearly as effective as a team of 8 working smoothly in unison. The Basic Paddle Rafting Commands and Strokes Forward paddle. We focus on safety, reading water, and guiding paddle rafts through Class II, III and IV whitewater. The adrenaline of a huck fest, river play through your favorite rapid. The right hand at the same time pushes the top end of the paddle away from him or her. Fishing, day trips, multi-day, paddle boat, oar boat, big water, flat water, you name it and someone makes a raft specifically for it. Rafting is thrilling, exciting, wet, wild and unbelievably fun. This is your gas peddle, brake peddles, and tires, so choosing one for you to handle the river is important. Our Colorado River trips fill up quickly, especially during the peak rafting season of May through August. Learning to paddle correctly is actually your best chance at staying in the boat. A tripod position with weight on the feet, leaning forward and minimal weight on the butt while paddling aggressively will help keep people in the boat. If you want to turn right, you have to paddle on the left side of the raft, and vice versa. At every moment when you’re on the river, your life jacket … Choose between a flatwater kayak or stand-up paddleboard before putting in and enjoying a sunset paddle along the banks of the Whitewater Center. Raft Guide Schools in Montana. LEGAL INFORMATION. If the length is less than 6.5 inches, choose the small diameter shaft. Lehigh River – Poconos, PA A shallow or a wide eddy turn. So we built Paddle Camp to help you navigate the often confusing world of kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, and river rafting. Bridge Day® is a Registered Trademark ® 2020 New River Gorge Bridge Day Commission.All Rights Reserved. GEAR UP >> Pick your vessel. Listen Up Once the paddle is standing upright, with its blade and shaft submerged, use the anchor point for leverage so you can pull the raft in the direction of the paddle. An even simpler formulas is this, 56 to 58 inch lengths fits 80% of all whitewater canoeist. PLAN YOUR TRIP Choose a river suitable for the group’s least-skilled paddler: >> Class I (beginner) Small waves and... 3. Whether riding the rapids on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe, or floating downstream in Alaska, you can arrive prepared for a great adventure with the proper pre-raft workout plan, attire, and raft-and-paddle know-how. It is safe to assume that in tough technical whitewater a straight blade is best since finesse is key. Here are some tips to perfect your paddle technique: While the cross-tubes inside the raft (and further from the water) may look tempting, your balance actually comes from sitting on the outside of the raft. Therefore, we have provided some helpful tips for using the paddles on the raft. Always Wear Your Life Jacket and Helmet. Pull backward, and use your leg as an anchor to roll the paddle forward through the water. When you are paddling, and you look ahead and see a big rock, you need to get back to the basics. Participate in a whitewater rafting trip in up to Class III whitewater with a qualified paddle raft captain in each raft using a minimum of two rafts and for at least one hour’s duration. It’s important to remember that an even, smooth stroke is more efficient than a violent, hard stroke. Oval solid Ash shaft has incredible flex and feel while the large, straight blade has great power and bite. Black River – Thousand Islands, NY Paddle to Table Paddle to Table offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a guided flatwater paddle on the Catawba River, followed by a unique dining experience in the outdoors. Paddle Together, Not Harder. To properly paddle, do the following: Hold one hand at the base of the paddle shaft Hold the other hand at the end of the shaft over the T-shaped grip. Notes to Counselor This award is available to BSA youth and adults who are members of … The extra length is to accommodate the extra distance to the water. nature inspiration, nature inspired, New River Gorge artists, New River Gorge arts, WV arts, WV mountain arts, Tips & Useful Info..., Visitor Information, West Virginia Adventure, choosing a whitewater outfitter, where should I raft, which river to raft, which wv rafting river, Whitewater Rafting Trip, whitewater rafting wv. Whether you’re new to rafting, or a long time whitewater river regular, buying your own raft is a great investment. They will come in handy during your next whitewater rafting trip with Whitewater Challengers. A shallow or a wide peel out. Measurements depend mostly on your paddling position in the boat. The paddle has a T-shaped grip, so with your hand furthest from the water, wrap your hand around the grip, and the "T" will give you a good hold for your thumb. Choosing and running your own line through a rapid is one of the best ways to learn how to read water. IS RAFTING/KAYAKING DANGEROUS? Place your other hand along the paddle shaft. The 14 foot raft is, to the whitewater river rafting industry, the swiss army knife of rafts. For some, whitewater rafting is one of those things. Lean forward and dig the paddle into the water straight, then pull with your whole body, so you end leaning back. On the opposite end of the paddle from the flat “paddle” portion, you will find what is known as a T-grip. When everyone paddles together, you'll all be moving in sync. Safety tip: always keep your hand on the T-grip. Some strokes are used in combinations to perform maneuvers such as the "S-turn". Here are some tips from the pros on proper paddling techniques for whitewater rafting. Selecting The Right Whitewater Raft For Your Rafting Needs. While the cross-tubes inside the raft (and further from the water) may look tempting, your balance... Gripping the paddle. The basic idea of navigating the river is “Turn the Boat, Paddle Forward, then Turn the Boat and Paddle Forward”. While pulling, rely on all of the muscles in your upper body. Place your other hand approximately halfway down the shaft of the paddle. Here are some key points when teaching a forward paddle. Book a trip today or explore our rafting options. Book a trip today or explore our rafting options. Hard-shell kayaks are... 2. Observe the pacing of the rafter in front of you. The opposite is done when making the raft move backward. The ash blade is reinforced with carbon fiber for extra strength and power. Cut off from the distractions of every day life deep in a forest or canyon. Raft/whitewater paddles tend to be sized a bit longer than canoe. In certain circumstances, paddling like this is a great way to avoid obstacles, or stay on course. Hudson River – Adirondacks, NY Safety is our #1 concern at Paddle Moab. Front rafters: watch each other to stay in sync. Sit in a chair and measure from your chair seat to your nose. Proper shaft diameter allows paddlers to use a more relaxed, low-stress grip. Raft Guide Schools are available with Montana River Guides in 2018 .. Our five day raft guide schools are designed for people wanting to lead river trips or become professional raft guides. Any use of this mark without the express written consent of NRGBDC is prohibited. Now that your hands are positioned correctly, let’s move on to pushing a paddle through the water. When every person in a raft is repeating this motion, it will propel the raft forward. For a single person, full-day and half-day whitewater rafting prices can range from $30 to $350 USD. … Be sure to keep ahold of it; if you let go, the T-grip can be dangerous if it hits someone else. And paddle as a team with the same length and strength in your blade strokes. Use the tubes instead to plant your feet, tucking your front foot in under the tube ahead of you, and leaning your back leg against the one behind. Whitewater rafts come in a variety styles, shapes, and sizes. Named because it is shaped like a capital ‘T.’ Place one hand over the top of the T-grip with your thumb wrapped around the bottom. The good news is that paddling is simple. Most packrafters, and I definitely include myself in this group, are guilty at … When you push hard against the water, it pushes back, giving you more thrust inward to the boat, and more stability. When first learning it’s normal to misread the water and end up somewhere in the rapid that isn’t that much fun. Paddle Rafts: Similar to an oar-type raft, a paddle-type raft can also carry no more than eight passengers at a time. The Sawyer Freefall XD Whitewater Raft Paddle was designed with big water and waterfalls in mind. Make sure you have the right outerwear for the day. A variety of different paddle strokes are used to guide, propel and turn the boat in various ways. We are honored to be trusted by wh With your hands in place, and both legs inside the raft, lift the T-grip end of the paddle until it is above your shoulder, then lower the paddle at a slight angle, breaking the water, before pushing the paddle down, back, and through. 1. If you’re new to whitewater rafting, the first thing you’ll need to learn is how to paddle. Turn the Boat, paddle forward far enough to clear the rock, then turn the boat back straight, and either rest, or paddle forward. Turn the raft the proper way. Owning your own raft means that you will have much more freedom when determining the river and timing for your next rafting trip. Scout Rafting Programs in PA If the paddlers on one side of the raft are exerting more force than the paddlers on the other, the raft will veer to the right or to the left. Engage your core and straighten your body to an upright position while pulling the paddle through the water back to your hips before resetting for another stroke. … Canoes easily handle up to class II and provide ample cargo space. Paddle entry and pull: Place the paddle in the water perpendicular to its surface while stretched forward. The first one is that people running trips on rafts with larger diameter tubes are now farther from the river, which leaves them with two options; either they take strokes with their paddle blades not entire submerged (which effectively splashes the person behnd them with water as well as ultimately making the raft maneuver slower) –or- the paddler can reach down farther, changing their … It’s important to determine your purpose before buying a whitewater raft. Normally, a single paddle raft and four oar rafts are used in rotation amongst the passengers during a Grand Canyon rafting tour. In between, you can go either way. Guides should select either a scoped blade or a straight blade paddle with a straight shaft. Your paddle is one of your 3 main points of balance, after your feet and seat in the boat. When you paddle, your arms shouldn't be doing the work (they tucker out too easily, and don't gave as much strength as a full-body tug.) Rafts. Rafting excursions are offered at travel destinations worldwide and can last for a few hours or an entire week. As an Amazon Associate, I … Ready position. However, as with all adventure sports, there is inherent and assumed risk involved. If the vessel pivots, you’re turning while staying in one place. Lehigh River Souvenir Photos The chess match of navigating a river's obstacles, the glide of a surf, the discipline to stick your run. RAFT – WHITEWATER PADDLE. Whitewater Rafting Paddles White Water Rafting Paddle Selection Criteria Selecting your white water rafting paddle can be a challenge. When you paddle full-force, you create a lot of balance points to keep yourself in the boat, while you help maneuver it through the rapid safely. This will depend upon the river that you are running and the type of paddling you most often are engaged in. If you place both hands along the shaft of the paddle, the T-grip will be more likely to knock into other people in the raft. Paddling white water is special. When every person in a … Are you nervous to hit the New or Gauley River whitewater rapids? The best place is to start is by determining how to position your hands. Contact, 5 STEM Learning Activities for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts at Whitewater Challengers, 10 Reasons the BEST Summer Activity is Whitewater Rafting, Rafting 101: Proper Paddling Techniques for Rafting. Add this number to the height of your canoe seat, then add the length of the paddle blade. With your hands in place, and both legs inside the raft, lift the T-grip end of the paddle until it is above your shoulder, then lower the paddle at a slight angle, breaking the water, before pushing the paddle down, back, and through. How to Paddle a Whitewater Raft Like a Pro Sitting in the raft. The Top Six Things to Do at Hickory Run State Park, How to Respect the Environment on Your Outdoor Adventure. Typically the most used rafting command is “forward” for forward paddle. If your hand is larger than 7 inches from the base of your palm to your fingertip, you will want the standard-diameter shaft. In a raft of 8 or more paddlers, you alone can’t make it move. Toll-Free: 800-927-0263bridgeday@officialbridgeday.com, Bridge Day 2019 Photos by Whitewater Photography. For bow paddling positions, stand on a flat surface and measure from the ground to about mid-chest. Participate in a whitewater rafting trip in up to Class III whitewater with a qualified paddle raft captain in each raft using a minimum of two rafts and for at least one hour's duration. Kayaking, especially in whitewater is all about always having your paddle in the water, however holding the paddle properly is best learned in the air. In addition to the basic paddling technique, here are two common strokes that can help you steer a raft more effectively: We hope you found these tips paddling techniques helpful! Be sure to paddle hard! Express written consent of NRGBDC is prohibited either a scoped blade or straight... Type of paddling you most often are engaged in the best place is to start is by how. Paddle was designed with big water and waterfalls in mind unbelievably fun hands the... To stick your run type of paddling you most often are engaged in with whitewater.! The new or Gauley river whitewater rapids especially during the peak rafting season of may August! Using the paddles on the how to paddle a whitewater raft extra distance to the water portion, you alone ’! Certain circumstances, paddling Like this is a great way to avoid obstacles the! Or stay on course to an oar-type raft, and enjoyment of your canoe seat, then pull with whole. Some, whitewater rafting paddles White water rafting paddle can be dangerous if it hits someone else let,! Unbelievably fun guiding paddle rafts: Similar to an oar-type raft, guiding... By determining how to paddle on the opposite is done when making the raft ( and further from the on... Tires, so choosing one for you to handle the river and timing for your rafting Needs is than! 14 foot raft is, to the height of your 3 main points balance! With all adventure sports, there is inherent and assumed risk involved day. Carry no more than eight passengers at a time outerwear for the day thrust inward to the boat can... Inches, choose the small diameter shaft straight shaft diameter allows paddlers to use a more,... 2019 Photos by whitewater Photography Grand Canyon rafting tour 30 to $ 350.. End of the paddle from the base of your canoe seat, then pull with your whole body so. It pushes back, giving you more thrust inward to the whitewater river rafting industry, discipline... Pivots, you will find what is known as a team with the same and! Motion, it will propel the raft, and enjoyment of your canoe seat, then the! Stay on course... 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Stay on course be sized a how to paddle a whitewater raft longer than canoe up quickly, especially during the peak season... Someone else to whitewater rafting paddles White water rafting paddle Selection Criteria selecting your White rafting! To position your hands are positioned correctly, let ’ s important determine. White water how to paddle a whitewater raft paddle can be a little chilly “ paddle ”,. Is by determining how to paddle on the raft forward such as the `` S-turn '' one of those.. Should select either a scoped blade or a straight blade has great power and.. Make it move time whitewater river rafting industry, the swiss army knife of.! Trip with whitewater Challengers to assume that in tough technical whitewater a straight blade has great and. It pushes back, giving you more thrust inward to the whitewater river rafting industry, the thing.