6
PADDLING IN
ROUGH WATER
WORDS : SCOTT WARREN ( HAYWOOD SPORTS )
PICS : P3T PHOTOGRAPHY
FOR MANY PADDLERS , FLATWATER IS HOME . THE SMOOTH , TRANQUIL WATERS OF INLAND LAKES , SHELTERED ESTUARIES AND RIVERS MAY OCCASIONALLY EXPERIENCE WIND CHOP BUT RARELY BECOME WHAT WE CAN CALL ROUGH WATER . THROUGH THIS ARTICLE , I HOPE TO GIVE INLAND AND COASTAL PADDLERS SOME INSIGHT INTO PADDLING WHEN THINGS GET ROUGHER SO YOU CAN EXTEND YOUR WINDOW OF GETTING OUT AND DO MORE THAN JUST CHASING THE FEELING OF SURVIVAL .
So what is rough water ? Firstly let ’ s define rough water . Water experiencing several influences at once , perhaps creating a chaotic look and feel through a combination of wind , tide and swell . Rough water will challenge you , but with skill and time can be harnessed , and with so much energy within the water , you can take advantage of it .
A note on safety Whilst this article will hopefully open up another opportunity for you to paddle , build your skills and challenge your perceptions of what ’ s possible , understand your limits , and ensure you have the proper equipment for the environment you ’ re paddling in . Arrange a session with a coach to take you out for the first time , and always paddle in a group whilst you get comfortable in rough water . Remember – if in doubt , don ’ t go out !
Taking your time Time is one of the biggest differences between someone comfortable in rough water and those new to it . Or , more precisely , the ability to process more information within a timeframe . An experienced rough water paddler will look at the bigger picture and the detail , giving them a greater understanding of the conditions and how to handle them . In some ways , it ’ s a sixth sense they have .
So how do you get there ? Give yourself time . When you first get to your paddling location , take at least 10 minutes to watch what ’ s going on . Try to spot patterns in the water , understand the direction of the wind , swell and tidal movement and use apps such as Windy , Paddle Logger and Magicseaweed to check the conditions against what you see . Over time you will see shapes in the water and patterns , and then suddenly , you will start to notice areas that would be easier or more challenging .