kayaker’s
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Ripping it up on the Bay of Fundy. PHOTO: BRYAN SMITH
TECHNIQUE BY BRYAN SMITH Going Tidal HOW TO EASE YOUR WAY INTO TIDAL RACES
ON ONE OF MY EARLY training trips to Anglesey, Wales, I was paddling out to- ward Penrhyn Mawr and the biggest water of my life when Nigel Dennis calmly pad- dled up beside me and said, “Remember, it’s the sea. It’s always worse than it looks.” Unsettled, I watched a two-metre swell roll through the Irish Sea and collide into four knots of current. In the exploding waves my “highly ma-
noeuvrable” 16-foot sea kayak felt like a fish in molasses. I’d sweep five or six times to get lined up with a wave; it would break and push me sideways and then I’d have to start all over again. I was all at once frustrated with my boat handling, nervous about the sea state and excited about being there. Te last few years have seen more and
more paddlers enjoying tidal races like Penrhyn Mawr, Skookumchuck Narrows, Shubenacadie River, Te Bitches, Decep- tion Pass and others. Like paddling in the surf or wind, tidal water presents lots of mental and physical challenges and an equal amount of fun. Here are some basic concepts to ease you into the excitement of tidal rapids, including skills you can practice on flatwater anytime.
24 ADVENTURE KAYAK | EARLY SUMMER 2009
Paddle anything that moves If you don’t have access to a tidal race—or even if you do—start out by paddling river whitewater at a moderate grade such as Class II. You’ll be surprised how accessible whitewater is and how much it improves your sea kayaking skill. Tis is one of the best ways to fast-track the water-reading skills you’ll need in tidal rapids.
Learn the environment Perhaps the single most important skill in tidal race paddling is predicting how the water is going to affect your boat. Water- reading skill-level is directly proportionate to your cockpit time in moving water, so don’t get too frustrated if you can’t put your boat exactly where you want the first time.
Seek mentors to push you To be an effective and efficient paddler in tidal races, you have to be comfortable and confident. Te best way to safely increase your confidence is by paddling with coaches and peers who are capable of taking you into environments that are beyond your comfort level when paddling alone. With others covering the safety and leadership, you can experiment and learn.
Err on the side of edging Get comfortable with spinning the boat 180 degrees with a series of forward and reverse strokes on flatwater. Edge the boat towards each sweep, using the stroke for support and balance. Increase the amount of edge as far possible on flatwater. Tis will teach you to trust a more aggressive edge in moving water.
Chaos-proof your roll When you add current to the equation, the potential for spending time in a low-oxygen, wet environment increases exponentially. A bombproof roll goes a long way to increas- ing your confidence and ability to perform. Practice by adding chaos to your flatwater roll practice: flip over mid-stroke and set up for a roll, but allow yourself to fail, capsize again and then switch to roll up on the op- posite side; try flipping over with only one hand on the paddle—but first get a good pair of nose plugs.
Ease into leadership Safe group management is critical in tidal races. Assuming that on the first several outings you have surrounded yourself with strong leaders and coaches, when your con- fidence increases it’s time to think about safety and leadership yourself. Assess the risks of the tidal venues you would like to paddle, considering the potential dangers as well as the best flows and tides, and whether you and your partners have the skills to re- solve any situation that might arise.
BRYAN SMITH is a filmmaker and paddler in Squamish, British Columbia. His latest production, Eastern Horizons, includes tidal scenes from the Bay of Fundy (
reelwaterproductions.com).
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