Introduction to white water
Contents
Key Whitewater Skills
The following is a list of skills that all good white water paddlers use. All can be practised on the basin on a Tuesday night and once nailed will make the world of difference when you venture onto moving water.
Week 1
Forward Paddling
2* Skill - With regards to ww, the key to forward paddling is to be going flat out after 4-6 paddle strokes. Sitting in an eddy a paddler will often have a small space to gain as much speed as possible. After 6 strokes you'll be crossing the eddy line exactly where you need to be, flat out. Remember SPEED = STABILTY
Draw Strokes on move
2* Skill - avoid the rocks – boat to blade not the other way round – show your bum to rock
Bow Rudder/Bow Draw
3* Skill – great way to get from moving water to eddies and steer your way through moving water.
Week 2
Edging
3* – if you don’t you get wet – Importance of connectivity with boat, edging not leaning. Commitment!
Concept of River Dynamics
Eddies Waves, Stoppers
CLAP
Communication
Line of Sight
Awareness/Avoidence
Positioning
Week 3
Rescues
2* – Water based, T or Eskimo rescue with bow and with paddle presentaion, X rescue, etc...
Support Strokes
2* Skill – prevent a capsize, keep shoulders safe (hands lower than elbows, elbows lower than shoulders)
Rolling
3* Skill - When everything goes wrong you normally end up upside-down
Throwlines
WWSR Skill - Practice on Bank, Practice on Water
Week 4
Get on White Water and put it all into practice
What Next
Look out for river trips – find a local river and go explore it, Thursday night Lee Valley trips, Medway, Thames weirs – find moving water!
Useful Contacts/Links
Club WW Reps – Paul Carter, Emily Handley
Professional Coaches – Google, UK Rivers