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Beep Beep Beep PHOTO: PAUL HARDING
CRUISE CONTROL open Canoe Technique BRINGING BACK THE BACK FERRY
Even the best solo open boaters face unexpected situa- tions. The ability to maintain control with a few well-placed back strokes is an invaluable skill. Back ferries are a great way to keep an eye on downstream action. Despite the fact that today’s solo boats are so short that you
can turn them around in a heartbeat, renowned OC slalom pad- dler Andy Walker insists that the back ferry is not dead. He sug- gests using the solo back ferry as “a save-your-ass tool when your boat is loaded with water after you flip and roll up.” When practicing solo back ferrying, keep it simple. Start in an
area that has wide, easy swifts or class I current. With your boat facing downstream, begin by using any stroke to point your stern in the direction that you want to ferry and then start back pad- dling. It’s that easy. Maintaining a solid, wobble-free boat is most important. It’s
okay if your angle into the current is more extreme than you’re used to during a front ferry. The back strokes taught here are strong, and with practice, you’ll find that you can control your angle well and even jet-back ferry.
ESSENTIAL BACK FERRY STROKES
Onside back sweep—extend your blade well away from the boat and back sweep from your hip to the bow of your canoe. This stroke is easy to learn and very powerful. Extend your reach and use your core muscles for maximum power.
Cross-scoop—much like a cross draw but with a lower paddle angle. Scoop water up under the bow for an offside correction. When combined with the onside back sweep, you can control the boat’s direction and keep reverse momentum all at once.
Reverse J stroke—this onside stroke begins with a vertical back stroke. Then rotate the paddle as you move the blade toward the bow and lever off the gunwale with the non-power face of the blade. Your grip thumb should end up pointing at your shoulder.
Be mindful of the importance of reverse momentum. It’s amazing how often people resort to what’s familiar by trying to use their forward or lateral strokes to correct the boat. Ask yourself: Are my strokes helping to propel the boat backwards? Once you’re confident crossing the current in reverse, Walker
recommends you try leaving an eddy backwards to surf a small wave. “Once you can leave, surf and re-enter an eddy back- wards,” he says, “your survival back ferry will be ready for you when you really need it.” —Beth Kennedy
www.rapidmag.com 25
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