Whitewater Kayaking 101. Entrance Rapid o Lower Yough Rive

Transcription

1 Whitewater Kayaking 101 Entrance Rapid o Lower Yough Rive

2 Agenda Kayak overview Gear Whitewater Classifications Safety Local WW Rivers Locations for Instruction Try out a boat!

3 Kayak Overview Not all kayaks are the same Recreational Kayaks are designed to be: Affordable: made of economy plastic Stable: usually have a very wide body Comfortable wiggle room Easy to get in and out of: cockpit is usually very large

4 Kayak Overview Sea Kayaks are designed (to be): Sea Worthy: Long, 15+ ft, has rudder to assist with steering For Storage: hatches for easy cargo storage on long trips Light weight: typically made of fiberglass, carbon fiber, or kevlar To fit a sprayskirt: Small cockpit

5 Kayak Overview Whitewater Kayaks are designed to (be): Durable: made of thick & expensive plastic Maneuverable: shorter than other types of kayaks for tight turns (also: flat bottom) Fit a spray skirt: small cockpit Easy to roll: narrow body

6 Gear: Whitewater Kayaks Not all whitewater kayaks are the same. Most common whitewater kayaks are: Play boats River Runners Creek boats Slalom (Racing) Kayaks: We all look silly without them

7 Gear: Whitewater Kayaks Playboats: Tiny and agile for performing tricks Front Surf Cartwheel Loop Stern Squirt cartwheel

8 Gear: Whitewater Kayaks River Runners: Perfect all around kayaks for people not interested in doing tricks, or running very technical rapids Loop Cartwheel

9 Gear: Whitewater Kayaks Creek Boats: specialized kayak with more volume and rounded body for running very steep, technical rapids and waterfalls. Loop Cartwheel

10 Gear: Whitewater Kayaks Racing/Slalom Kayaks: designed for speed made of fiberglass or carbon fiber to reduce weight Bejing Olympic Whitewater Course Loop

11 Gear: Whitewater Kayaks Traditional / Old School : A great, economical, option for beginners to get into the sport for cheap Loop

12 Gear: Spray Skirts Fits between the kayaker s waist and cockpit of the boat to keep water out. Grab loop for easy removal

13 Gear: Paddling Jacket/ Dry Top Optional in the summer Keeps you warm by keeping you dry Lightens your boat by keeping water out Splash jackets or semidry tops use neoprene or nylon and velcro around the neck and wrists to keep some water out. Dry Tops use latex around the neck and wrists to keep almost all water out.

14 Gear: Safety Gear Whitewater helmets are designed to take multiple impacts from all directions. Kayaking PFDs (life jackets) keep you afloat, but still allow wide range of motion while paddling.

15 Gear: Kayak Paddles Just like kayaks, paddles can be very different depending on their intended use. Un-Feathered Paddle Feathered Paddle Short paddle for high angle paddle technique Long paddle for low angle paddle technique Whitewater Touring

16 Rivers! Whitewater Classification Class I: (Easy) Moving water with small disturbances on the surface and a few very small waves. There is little to no danger to swimmers. Class II: (Novice/Beginner) Faster moving water with easily avoided rocks, holes, and waves. Danger to swimmers is still slight but care must be taken. Class I Class II Class II+

17 Rivers! Whitewater Classification Class III: (Intermediate) Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims. Rapids that are at the lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designated Class III- or Class III+ respectively Class III

18 Rivers! Whitewater Classification Class IV: (Advanced) Strong rapids, large waves, big holes, unpredictable currents, and dangerous obstructions requiring multiple maneuvers to get through or around. Swimmers are at risk and will require help to be rescued. Class V:(Expert) All of the characteristics of Class IV with the added danger of being longer and containing more continuous features that may not be avoided. There is serious risk to swimmers and others may be of no help. Class VI: (Unrunnable) Only a team of experts who carefully plan every aspect of this expedition would have hope of surviving these rivers and rapids. Class IV Class V+

19 Safety Take a class. Whitewater kayaking can be a dangerous activity. Learn from an ACA certified instructor. Do not attempt to teach yourself. Always wear a helmet & PFD. Even expert kayakers will wear this equipment in Class I whitewater. Never wear a spray skirt until you have learned, and practiced how to perform a wet exit. Kayak with people who know the river. Portage all low head dams.

20 Rivers! Dupage River - Shorewood, IL Class I Beginner river

21 Rivers! Yorkville, IL Whitewater Park Class I-II (Beginner)

22 Rivers! Vermillion River - Utica, IL Class II (III) Beginner/ Intermediate My Pictures\kaak2.jpg

23 Rivers! Milwaukee River Milwaukee, WI Class II (III) Beginner/ Intermediate My Pictures\kaak2.jpg

24 Rivers! East Race Whitewater Park South Bend, IN Class III Intermediate River

25 Rivers! Wausau, WI Whitewater Park Class II III Beginner / Intermediate

26 Rivers! Red River White Lake, WI Class I-II (III) Beginner

27 Rivers! Wolf River White Lake, WI Section 3 Class III- Beginner/ Intermediate

28 Rivers! Wolf River White Lake, WI section 4: Class III+ Intermediate/ Advanced

29 Rivers! Root River - Racine, WI Class III+ Intermediate/ Advanced river

30 Rivers! Charles City, IA Class II Intermediate river

31 Rivers! The list goes on Ferson s Creek, IL Fishnet Rapids (Des Planes River) Tyler Creek, IL Hickory Creek, IL Big Pine, IN Peshtigo, WI Paint, WI Popple, WI Menomonee, WI Peshtigo River, WI

32 Where do I Learn how to Kayak? Local Clubs Chicago Whitewater Association Offers 7-week pool classes in the Fall, Spring, Summer gear provided (Schaumburg, Des Plaines, Oak Park, Palatine) Open pool sessions in Naperville, Vernon Hills Spring beginner trips on rivers in the Chicago Area Monthly Social Events Local Outfitters Paddle & Trail Aurora, IL Geneva Kayak Center, IL Bear Paw, WI Wausau Quick Starts, WI Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC

33 Why NOT? You ll never be so happy to put on a skirt!! See You on the water!