Rapid Descents: Getting Into Whitewater

April-May 2003

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
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by Steve Crow

Steve Crowe photo

Ever thought about getting into whitewater kayaking? If I could simply tell you how to, I would. But there are as many ways to get into it as there are whitewater kayakers. Your way is certain to be unique.

But to give you an idea of how others have done it, in case you, dear sea kayaker, have been considering dipping that other paddle someday, here is a survey of experiences and recommendations from a select group of whitewater paddlers (i.e. those who would drink beer with me and tolerate my questions) in Golden, BC where I live.

How I got into whitewater kayaking was no fault of my own. I returned from working in Asia flush with money, free from employment and with every intention of getting heavily into mountain biking. However, I discovered at the airport that my buddy who I'd thought would join me on a summer of pedaling had bought a kayak and had every intention of getting heavily into paddling instead. Furthermore, he would tolerate no protests on my part; I was simply to go buy one. So I did. It was one of the best decisions I never made.

But it did seriously reduce my flush. Which brings up my strongest recommendation: don't buy a new boat until you are absolutely sure of what you want - a creek boat, rodeo boat, river-runner, etc. They are expensive and there are plenty of affordable used kayaks on the market that are perfectly fine for getting started. Check the Mountain Equipment Co-op bulletin board in Vancouver or contact Squamish Kayak (www.squamishkayak.com).

DUNCAN CURRIE began paddling in Scotland, a land of narrow, rain-dependent, smooth, quartz-mica schist creeks. It was 1996, after a couple of years of standing on a limp-sailed windsurfer waiting in frustration for wind that seldom came. Urged by his instructor at an outdoor school (Tracy Stewart, who happens to be the current female surf kayak world champion) and by friends who were already doing it, Duncan hopped into his first river-running kayak on the River Tay. Able to get out at least once a week, he felt his learning curve rise sharply until it reached a plateau with the discovery of skiing. Duncan has two suggestions for people learning how to whitewater kayak: spend time on the ocean surf kayaking (which is a much more predictable venue for learning river skills) and learn to roll in a pool, because getting rescued sucks.

COLIN YOUNG was also introduced to whitewater kayaking in an outdoor school. That was in 1993 and paddling on Ontario's Gull River was part of the curriculum. His very first contact with whitewater of any kind was on a rafting trip down the Ottawa River in 1991 which led him to pursue his outdoor school studies. Fortunately for Colin, his whitewater instructor also owned a rafting company on the Ottawa. Obviously comfortable and competent on the river, Colin was hired to guide rafts and eventually the safety-boat(kayak in front of a raft to assist rescuing clients who have fallen out of rafts) that very summer. He recommends beginning your whitewater experiences on a slow Class II river so you don't scare yourself on the hard stuff immediately. Today, Colin is the lead raft guide for Wet 'n' Wild in Golden.

KYLE HALE was scared into kayaking by his blind canoeing partner. Back in 1991, Kyle really enjoyed paddling a boat through rapids, but the old guy in the stern calling the shots through impaired vision was dangerously not cool. Only 14 years old at the time, Kyle decided he wanted to reach fifteen. The way to do that was to call his own shots, from his own boat. So he borrowed a kayak from a friend and began paddling on the Shuswap River near Enderby and the Adams River by Chase. Kyle, presently the river manager for Canadian Whitewater Adventures in Golden, thinks new paddlers should join a kayak club to meet other enthusiasts. The advice, modeling and motivation can quickly make you a talented, confident kayaker.

REBECCA BRUHJELL had to break the ice when she started whitewater kayaking. And I don't mean it was a conversationally inept social circle she paddled with. It was that cold in Smithers. In the spring of 1997, as whitewater kayaking popularity was enjoying an ascendancy, Rebecca had a lot of time on her hands. So she decided to put a paddle in them. She easily found one, along with all the other requisite gear, among her friends within the large local paddling community. She practiced first on a lake, then put in on the early-season Bulkley River. At times, at stationary play spots, she and her friends had to post lookouts for ice floes in the current. That time on her hands served her well as she was able to paddle four times a week; her learning curve resembled a world population growth chart. As yet another river guide in Golden (Canadian Whitewater Adventures), Rebecca warns new paddlers against learning from many different people because of the confusion. And although she borrowed gear for her first year, she suggests getting your own early so that learning will be consistent.

SIMON WESTWOOD was a raft guide before he was a kayaker. Back in 1995 while working on the Lachine River near Montreal, he used to watch kayakers ripping around his fat, cumbersome raft, surfing waves, popping into holes and squirting out of eddies. It looked pretty damn fun. He asked another guide to lend him a boat and show him the basics on the St. Lawrence River. From there he progressed to the Little Nation River and River Rouge, following the guy in front and trying not to fall in. Get proper instruction is his advice, especially in BC where there are many more hazards such as rocks, cold water and log jams. He says the east has warm rivers with no wood and short rapids.

CHRIS JONES was a sea kayaker on the coast of Australia before he transferred into the interior and lost the ocean. Fortunately for him, he moved just five minutes away from a man-made slalom course on the Goulburn River. Easy switch, especially as whitewater kayaking was part of the curriculum of the outdoor educator training school he was attending. Chris has since become a kayak instructor, and he doesn't let the risk of appearing to be promoting his own interests stop him from recommending to beginners that they get good instruction.

NIKI CRIESE grew up in Golden, fully aware of the Kicking Horse River and intrigued by its reputation, but she never got into a boat until 1998. She wanted to, but the opportunity never arose until she happened to be driving across the calm Columbia River south of town when she saw a friend on the shore with a kayak. There Niki got her first taste of kayaking and soon moved onto the nearby, gentle Blaeberry River. Niki says that you should know how to roll to fully enjoy kayaking, and the quickest way to learn is to get into playboating. Because your boat gets repeatedly flipped over while learning tricks, you force yourself to learn to roll quickly. As you may have guessed, Niki is a raft guide for Wet 'n' Wild.

IAN KIRSCHNER bought his first boat because of a lie. Not that he is a liar, but it was prudent at the time. Ian was first attracted to kayaking when, as a camp counsellor chaperoning the kids on a raft trip, he saw some kayakers and was impressed with their craft. Some time later, while swimming down the Kananaskis River near Canmore, Alberta on a flutter board, he couldn't help but notice that Kyle (see above) appeared to be having much more fun in his kayak. He signed up for a lesson through the University of Calgary and began paddling in borrowed boats. Soon in love with whitewater, Ian applied for a raft guide job. In the interview he was asked if he had a kayak. He said yes. He got the job. Quickly he went out and bought a boat and he's been paddling ever since. I don't know what conclusions you want to draw about lying and getting what you want! Ian summarizes many of the recommendations offered above: take a lesson in a pool or lake, join a club, buy cheap second-hand gear, and drop school and paddle all your life. The Kicking Horse is where Ian is now spending his life.

BASIC GEAR

The basic gear you need to paddle whitewater is a boat, a paddle, a PFD (Personal Floatation Device), a spraydeck and a helmet. You will most certainly want a spray jacket as well and booties that fit in your boat. In cold water climes, layers of poly-pro or a wetsuit keep the chill out. Winter paddlers should invest in a drysuit. Air bags are highly recommended as you will probably otherwise spend some time trying to swim for shore with your submerged boat.

© Steve Crowe is not a raft guide, but he is a whitewater (and sea!) kayaker and lives in Golden. He co-authored Whitewater In BC's Southwest. scrowe69@hotmail.com.