Whitewater is often loud and presents a challenge when we need to communicate. Many boaters carry a safety whistle so they can warn others about a very dangerous situation. This is done with 3 whistle blasts - the universal sign of danger. A single whistle blast is commonly used to catch a person's (or group) attention. Try not to overuse the whistle as this reduces its effectiveness (like the boy who cried wolf too often).

When running a difficult river, the lead boat (scout) runs the drops first and sometimes needs to quickly relay guidance back to the rest of the team. Ideally, this is done with paddle signals (or sometimes hand signals). Using the paddle is preferred since it is large and easy to see. When signaling others on which route to take, always point in the direction you want them to go - never towards the obstacle.

Here are the common signals:

The GO Signal
The Stop Signal
The Direction Signal
I'm OK Signal

There are a number of other useful signals as described in this useful article: River Signals.
This is another excellent site for the common signals: Common River Signals.

Introduction

In this course, we will emphasize "Look before you leap". It is real important for your safety to scout either from your boat or on land the line/s you plan to take in running each rapid. Visualize how you plan to run each rapid and "stick" your line!

How to paddle in current

As you know, it is always safest paddling with other boaters. That way if you get in trouble, someone will take notice and provide assistance if necessary. When paddling in a group, keep an eye on the boater in front of you and observe how well they are managing the rapids downstream. Think of them as a cheat sheet. If they get stuck in a sticky hole you might not have noticed, you still have time to avoid the same fate. If they drop out of sight real fast, you know you are coming up on a ledge.  If they ricochette abrubtly to the right, there is probably a reaction wave on the left. To provide that safety factor, try to hang back several boat lengths. This also has the added advantage of helping you avoid running over top of the paddler you are following.

A key difference between experienced boaters and novice boaters is how far downstream they are looking. Advanced boaters look a good distance downstream, often 100 yards if possible. They are not as worried about the "little stuff" close by and deal with waves and cross-currents using their hips as shock absorbers. Novice boaters are fixated on what is immediately in front of them or worse yet, the PFD of the paddler they are following. A great way to practice this skill is leading on the easier rapids.

In addition to looking downstream, it pays to look on each side. If the paddler you are following gets in trouble, it helps to know if there is an eddy on the side you can quickly grab so you don't meet the same fate. Sometimes a drop looks very different up close. You may discover a pinning rock you didn't anticipate. By avoiding tunnel vision, you may see an easier chute than the one you originally planned.

In addition to keeping an eye on several boaters downstream, occasionally look back to make certain you haven't lost anyone behind you. If the paddlers in your group are are out of site, stop in the eddy or slack water below so you can regroup. Even if you are a novice and lack rescue skills, you can always blow your safety whistle if someone gets pinned in the rapid above.

Spacing/Avoid "tunnel vision"

Many inexperienced boaters either crowd to the front hoping to follow someone down rapids or more commonly migrate to the end of the group to see everyone's lines and choose the best one from their perspective.  Both strategies come with considerable risks.  The front paddler "The Scout" often catches many eddies looking for potential dangers like strainers so they can signal to the rest of the group potential pitfalls.  If you follow this person too closely, you may very well end up passing them and running the rapids blind.  Migrating to the rear of the group tends to spread the group way out so they can't provide mutual protection.  The Scout and the Sweep work together to adjust group spacing which is very dependent on the type of rapids.  A good rule of thumb is don't leave your eddy until you can see a safe passage towards your next eddy downstream.  If the eddy is full - wait.  Following too closely essentially makes that impossible.  You also want to avoid wide separation.  If you take a swim or get stuck in a river feature, you really want a fast response time from your rescuers and that's not feasible if tghey are 50 yards downstream. 

Tunnel Vision is another challenge.  Many beginners have a very narrow and short field of vision.  It's always good to look around for other options.  Recognizing alternate eddies is valuable if the eddy you planned to reach is full or blocked by something like a strainer or another boat coming downstream.  Busy rivers like the Lower Yough bring additional challenges like boats overtaking you - often with little or no warning, you need to be adaptable.  Another common form of tunnel vision is simply following someone dopwnstream.  Ask someone that practices this behavior what they thought of the rapids (or run) and they will decribe your PFD accurately down to every detail.  If you make a move they don't expect - panic ensures.  If you slow down to choose a better route you will get run over.  This can also be a sign that the run a a bit over their skill level (or certainly comfort level). 

Scouting

Scouting either from your boat or on land is how we prevent accidents. To stay out of trouble, don't run any drop you can't see the route on or know the route is clean from a paddler signaling you from below. Always assume a tree limb may be hidden out of site. Most of the time, we break down rapids and navigate from one eddy to the next. Each eddy gives us a better look at the rapids below. This is known as boat scouting. When you can't see a clear line to your next eddy, it is time to land your boat on shore, get out and take a look from a higher vantage point. When scouting from shore, I like to crouch down closer to kayak sitting height periodically as I return to my boat. This helps me to pick out various markers I can actually see as I run the rapid. Here is a nice video explaining scouting:Scouting.

On challenging rapids, unforeseen challenges may come up. Perhaps you will get thrown off course by a side wave you didn't account for. You might flip and roll up off your original line - it happens. That eddy you had planned to catch may become occupied by someone else and full. You need to plan for these contingencies with a Plan B. This is where scanning to the side and further downstream pay immense dividends. This is also why practicing leading is so important - eventually, you will be in the lead.

Portaging Hazards

Don't mess with strainers or manmade structures like low head dams. Both these hazards are a losing proposition. This is a big reason scouting is so important to safely running rivers. If a rapid's difficulty is well above your skill level or the consequences of a mistake are too severe, land your boat and carry around the hazard. This is where good judgment is crucial to safety. Another rule of thumb, if you need to watch everyone in the group run a rapid before you have enough nerve to run it yourself - do everyone a favor and portage. The rapid will be there in the future when you have gained sufficient skill to run it confidently and safely.

Eddies Are Your Friend

Eddies are your most important friend when running whitewater. Eddies are calm water behind ledges or large rocks. Beginning boaters find eddies on the sides of rivers easiest to identify and catch. More seasoned boaters can also find smaller midstream eddies. Think of eddies as rest stops in a  rapid where you can take your time determining where to go next.

Eddies come in all shapes and sizes. Eddy hopping is the process of navigation from eddy to eddy. This is how we manage to stay in control. When planning your next move, always look for the next eddy or slow moving pool of water. If you can't see a clear navigable line to that next destination, bring your boat on shore and scout from land.

The V's

Water flows around boulders or large rocks. Taking an Arial view, they form what is known as an upstream V. Most of the time, we want to avoid running into boulders or upstream V's. Water typically forms a nice dark colored tongue between two boulders. This tongue gets more narrow further downstream. This is known as a downstream V. The water is much deeper in downstream V's and this enables a safe passage. When the tongue runs out, we often have nice tail waves. On the sides of the V are eddies. Here is an excerpt from a book on recognizing V's: V's.

Waves

Waves are a great deal of fun to run and one of the safest features in whitewater. The easiest way to run waves is to keep your boat perpendicular to the wave front. It helps to paddle through waves pretty much at the same speed as the current. This helps to avoid irregularities in the waves or cross waves from pushing your boat off course. On larger waves, you can get the best view of downstream from the wave tops. The top of the wave is also the easiest place to turn the boat.  Waves.

Catching Eddies

Eddies come in all shapes and sizes. Many are relatively placid and very easy to paddle into. Some are what we call "Dynamic Eddies". Dynamic eddies are formed next to fast moving current. These eddies have a well defined drop off the main current into the eddy that we call and eddy fence. One side of the eddy fence, the water is trucking downstream usually in a tongue. The other side of the eddy fence in the eddy itself the water is moving quickly back upstream. When catching these eddies, it is real important to lean the downstream side of your kayak up in the air to compensate. A great way to picture what is going on is to compare this to swinging on a rope around a pole. Your body naturally leans towards the pole just like you want to lean your boat towards the eddy. As always, keep the top part of your body upright for balance, only the boat is leaned. You should also plan to catch eddies as high as possible, closest to the rock forming the eddy. Yes, the forces are greatest here and need to be managed. Many novice boaters make their move far too late and end up missing the eddy completely. Eddies also become much weaker (less current flowing back upstream) the further down you catch them. The upstream current enables you to hold your position in the river. Here is a nice demonstration: Eddy Turns, Gliding Eddy Turns.

Ferrying

When we boat, we typically take a zigzag course down the river. You might not be able to see below your drop on the right side of the river. If there is a better view from an eddy on the left side across from you, you need to ferry directly across to that eddy. The ferry maneuver balances the downstream current force against your upstream paddle strokes. Moving sideways is simply a matter of setting a balanced angle pointing to the other shore, typically facing upstream. Although this is from an open boat perspective, the approach for kayaks is very similar: Ferry Tips 1, Ferry Tips 2.

Pillows

Water often forms a pressure wave on large rounded boulders. If you are swept into this formation, it is important to lean the boat towards the boulder, not away. Pretend you have an open canoe. If you lean a canoe away from the boulder, it will quickly fill with water and capsize. As you ride up on the boulder, it will be easier to spin around the rock either forward of backwards - go with whichever is easier.

Holes

Holes are typically underwater ledges. Water flows over the ledge forming a depression. Water returns back upstream to fill in that void - this is called the backwash. The backwash is very aerated and unstable. For novices, the best approach is avoiding these features. If you can't avoid the hole, lean a bit forward and paddle quickly to "punch" the hole. Ideally, try to time a strong stroke that reaches over the hole just as you enter the hole to pull you through. All holes (except man-made ones) on novice/intermediate runs can be swum out of should you flip and swim. Here is a good article on punching holes: Punching Holes.

Horizon Lines

In general, you can't see down a rapid with a horizon line until you are almost at the lip. You really need to ask yourself if you can easily paddle away from that lip if necessary. If you can't, it is always a good idea to get out and scout from shore unless someone gives you the "All Clear" signal from below. There may be a tree laying below that blind drop that could kill you - why take unnecessay chances. If it is OK to proceed, take your time approaching the lip so you can make last minute entry point adjustments. You can use your back ferry or draw stroke to move sideways to line up. Once you see your line and destination to the next eddy, go for it.

Paddle in Control

If you notice from the above river running tips, I never said paddle as fast as you can. When skiing you don't point your skis directly downhill and tuck - that is a sure fire way to get in an accident. Many novices and intermediate boaters unfortunately try that approach with pretty much the same crash and burn rates. Good kayakers break down tough rapids into a series of easy moves with lots of eddy rest stops. Most of the time, you paddle roughly the same speed as the current so you control your route through down the river rather than the current controlling you. Punching holes is one of the few places where you need a bit of extra speed to break through the backwash.

Here is a nice video on river running strategies: River Running Strategies.  This is a great article that pulls this whole topics together: Sample River.

Group Organization

"There is safety in numbers" is a famous saying. This is very relevant to kayaking. Although kayaking is an individual sport in one sense, we are also part of a team. If our boat becomes stuck, if we swim, if we get injured; we rely on our buddies to rescue us. Larger groups often have a more formal structure. A trip leader will often designate several key positions/responsibilities:

• Lead - This person may be more humorously called the probe. The lead boater runs the rapids first looking for safe lines that others may follow. They are also responsible for identifying any significant hazards like strainers, sieves, undercuts, etc. If a hazard is identified, they may direct other boaters away from the hazard by pointing the paddle away from the hazard. If the drop is too dangerous to run, they will signal the rest of the group to carry. Lead boaters are strong boaters with great boat scouting skills. They should also have good rescue skills since they become a downstream safety boater by default. The lead boater must always keep an eye out for the group behind them and slows things down when the group is too separated.
• Sweep - The sweep boater is often the strongest boater in the group. If they get in trouble, someone from downstream needs to get back up to them somehow. This person plays a major role in keeping the group moving downstream and together. No one should fall behind the sweep boater.
• Trip Leader - This person is responsible for logistics. Once on the river, time management is the major task for the trip leader. The trip leader often assigns / recruits people for the various roles.
• Safety - This person needs strong rescue skills, preferably SWR training. They will organize safety on the more challenging or dangerous rapids. If an incident takes place, they will often take the lead in coordinating rescue efforts.
• Medic - This person hopefully has current First Aid training. They also need to carry one of the First Aid kits. It is a good idea to position this person near the rear of the group so they are readily available if needed.
• Participants - These people have an easy job. Each participant needs to keep an eye out for at least the boater before and after them. They need to maintain proper distance between boats to avoid running into one another. After each launch, do a quick equipment check on your fellow boaters. Is their spray skirt loop on the outside? Is their drain plug securely fastened? Does someone look like they need help?
• Mentors - These are also strong boaters that know the run. A trip leader may ask you to shepherd less experienced boaters through the more challenging rapids.
• Newbie's - These may be less confident boaters. It is a good idea to pair them with a mentor. Newbie's should be placed near the front of the pack since they often fall behind as the trip progresses. A close eye should be kept on newbie's to see if they are frightened about running particular rapids. If this is the case, offer to help portage or run their boat through those rapids for them.

Universal River Signals System

Whitewater can be a very noisy environment. Since it is difficult hearing instructions, we typically communicate visually via paddle or hand signals. It is also a very good idea to carry a loud safety whistle. The universal danger signal is three blasts. You can also call attention in a rescue situation with a single blast. The following article covers this topic: Paddle Signals.

Hopefully everyone is running rivers in decent sized groups. I like to teach creeking protocol in my novice classes, basically don't hang out on the eddy line and don't leave your nice safe eddy until you identify your next eddy and it is clear. Unfortunately, some boaters don't follow this program and occasionally we all blow a line. This is where a plan B route is also a good idea to identify.  We also talk about how best to organize a group for maximum safety and speed going downstream.