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14 ADVENTURE FIT FOR USE ROCKS Torlan Bulloo Updraft Bulloo


For a life lived in full pursuit of action, adventure, and personal challenges that would bring lesser shoes to their metaphorical knees.


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Slow Your Descent


If you’re traveling slower than the current, you’re in


control of your boat as opposed to just floating downstream. Use a back ferry to maintain your position above a set, allowing you to move from side to side to boat scout or fine-tune your position. You can also use a back ferry to style your way down a set under control, precisely moving your boat amongst rocks and ledges, picking the safest and driest line. This is a difficult skill to master, requiring upstream momentum and subtle bow steering strokes—it’s best to practice in wide, forgiving current.


NEXT LEVEL


TO TAKE YOUR BOATING TO THE


WAYS 16


15


It’s time to start taking advantage of some of the river features you might usually avoid. Smooth rocks at or slightly below water level can be used as launch pads, creating a clean line out of an otherwise portaged set. Lean your weight forward and aim to hit the rock with speed at a 30-degree angle. Plant a boof stroke just before coming in contact with the rock and it will carry you up and over. You may have to adjust the angle you hit the rock to control the direction your boat lands. Not enough speed or too much contact with the rock will leave you high and dry. Practice first over small holes and progress to safe drops.


16 Get Worked


“There is nothing like dropping into a stout hole from time to time to sharpen up your ability to react,” says Jeff Jackson. Improvising in safer, familiar water forces


you to act on instinct and develop faster reaction times and stronger decision-making skills. “Play on bigger features and get thumped,” he recommends. “Boat scout rather than shore scout in a moderate rapid without all of the information you might wish you had.”


PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER PORT


Photo: © Bill Stevenson


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