PADDLER 20
PADDLER 20
We are focusing on the white water( moderate water) environment
SO, WHAT IS MODERATE WATER SUP?
Moderate water is defined as Grade 2( 3) white water. The numbers refer to what we call river grading. A Grade 2 river would be classed as small rapids featuring regular waves requiring some manoeuvring around river features( rocks, obstructions like overhanging trees and their associated debris). Grade 3, in contrast, is classed as a river where most of the rapids will have irregular waves and hazards that need avoiding.
Regarding the paddleboarder, it can sometimes be more appropriate to portage around some river features, particularly when developing your skills in the white water environment, and portaging is easy with a paddleboard.
It is normal when white water paddleboarding that the paddler would wear on top of their drysuit( or dry pants and cag) a buoyancy aid and helmet. The buoyancy aid assists if you fall in the moving water, with the additional protection of wearing a well-fitted helmet. But what about the other necessary kit, alongside a SUP paddle, namely the white water SUP?
We decided to test a range of white water SUPs on the River Spey using a fixed set of rapids at Knockando to evaluate their performance. The Knockando rapids are a series of Grade 2 rapids with upper, middle and lower sections. We also consider it important that if you need to wear knee and shoulder pads, then you may need to consider the phrase height management.
Now, we all get caught off-guard by that hidden rock now and again, so swimming is definitely part of white water SUP. But considering your height management, i. e. the ability to move( gracefully) from an upright stance to a more crouched stance, to a one-knee( or both knee) position are important considerations. The transitioning between different postures is something to practice and hone your skills at.
Crucial to white water paddleboarding is the ability to read the water, to anticipate and manoeuvre your position around the river by looking for what often might be just micro-eddies within the main flow. Then, by experience, you will quickly adapt to( almost) anticipate when your balance, aided by the paddle and its position in the water, is lost, and you will fall off. Considering your safety when the unexpected happens and you fall off your board is essential.
Again, by practice, try to fall first onto the board( on your knees, ideally) and then carefully disembark into the water. This is the critical danger point as you do not want to enter the water unexpectedly and land on the submerged edge of any rocks. Also, it is important to remember, if you can at this point, to keep hold of your paddle. This will help you focus on where your hands should be. It is very important that you do not put your arm out as you fall, as this could lead to a dislocated shoulder.
Note: At this time, BCAB and its delivery centres do not advocate wearing any leash while on any of their white water SUP awards.
Before testing the kit, we decided to compare the white water SUPs( 9’ 6” and 9’ 8”) against a set of performance criteria in the moderate water environment. So, a head-to-head challenge was set by considering the following white water SUP performance criteria: l Tracking: Does the board maintain directional stability when crossing the flow? l Punching: The ability of the board to carry its speed while going through a wave or stopper. l Change direction: Can the board easily change direction mid-flow to play on a river feature or adapt your leadership strategy to avoid hazards or rescue a paddler? l Directional stability( down the flow): The ability of short boards to maintain direction pre-wave entry, mid-flow, and post-wave exit. l Carving: Does the board maintain stability whilst undertaking edge control as part of a manoeuvre? l Swooshing: The ability of the board to allow a pivot turn( step-back turn) while maintaining stability during a white water manoeuvre. l Stalling: The ability to slow down mid-flow by dynamically changing the board’ s trim.