PaDDlinG
y
c
rear
an
r
y
7)
s snoWinG” is noT a valiD
oto
PH
“iT’
Reason To sToP PaDDlinG.
2)
PunCh holes
4)
back deck to prevent nose-diving when you
drop into the trough. When your bow is clear,
Like sussing out a hottie at the bar
immediately throw your weight forward and
before your mates do, punching a hole takes
seal launCh
It looks cool and it’s the most air you
can get with absolutely zero paddling skills. A
take a few strong forward strokes to stay on
speed, an aggressive attitude and timing. seal launch is sometimes the only way to drop
the wave face. Surf.
Approach with plenty of momentum, grit into a run and it’s definitely the most fun.
your teeth and lean forward, and take your
SteP 1: Pick a clear launch zone with deep
last stroke just as you hit the wall (of water).
water below. Hold your paddle in your con-
You’ll need to dig deep to get a good grasp
6)
trol hand and push off with your other hand.
of the undercurrents and be carried through
Resist offers of assistance from overzealous
BooF
Every paddler’s favourite onomato-
poeia is also the crux of her creeking suc-
(in other words, put your blade in the green
friends and onlookers. cess. Boofing allows you to clear small
water beneath the foam pile). She, er… the
waterfalls, pour-overs and holes and avoid
hole, is all yours.
SteP 2: Aim to pencil in at a 70- to 80-degree
angle so your kayak’s rocker and buoyancy
vertical pins. The boof is a two-part animal—
bring you smoothly to the surface. Your launch
learn it well.
3)
hanD PaDDle
speed is the main factor in your angle of entry. SteP 1: tHe APProACH You need plenty of
Leave that caveman’s club of a
Too little umph, you’ll go ass-over-teakettle. speed to launch clear of the hole at the bot-
paddle behind (yes, we mean your carbon
Too much and you’ll land flat and hard. tom of the drop. Head for the steepest part
crankshaft) and strap a pair of these floppy
SteP : Hold your paddle slightly over your
of the drop and aim off-centre to avoid the
dinner plates to your mitts. Hand paddling
head or alongside your boat so it doesn’t biff
stickiest part of the hole. Remember that a
is the gnarly, minimalist wave of the future.
you in the face when you hit the water.
rock at the lip of a drop can serve as a launch
Originally embraced by squirt boaters—that
ramp if you hit it with just your bow.
loony breed of underwater kayakers—as an
easy and uncluttered way to get downtime,
5)
hand paddles are catching on in river run-
ning circles as well. Why? It’s a great way to
CaTCh Waves on The Fly
SteP 2: tHe Boof StroKe Plant this
power stroke just over the lip. Picture your-
Save traffic jams for the drive home;
self pulling against the face of the falling
this cool move will keep you out of the eddy
water. Thrust your hips forward as you pull
learn how to feel the water. It’s also wicked and on the wave. As you float downstream,
on the paddle to lift your bow. The further
training for when, and we mean when, your approach the wave facing upstream and
you pull and thrust, the flatter your boat will
paddle breaks. Not convinced? Well, consid- glancing over your shoulder to line yourself
land. Once clear of the lip, bring your weight
er that the infamously difficult and treacher- up with the steepest part. Paddle hard for-
forward for the landing. Have your paddle
ous Green River Race even has a separate ward against the current to slow yourself as
ready for a support stroke or to pull you away
category for hand paddlers. you slip toward the wave. Lean onto your
from the hole.
www.rapidmag.com 25
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