Looking back on my introduction to paddling on moving water, the extent of my tactical knowledge was based purely on ‘looking where I wanted to go’, developing my technical skills and progressing onto more difficult rivers. This approach soon put me in positions looking at eddies I want to be in as I flew past them! As technical proficiency and just ‘looking where I wanted to go’ wasn’t always getting me where I wanted to be, something had to change, it was time to develop my river running tactics!

EFFECTive River Running Tactics

Below are a few tactical points you may want to consider, you never know, it may just make you a bit more successful and EFFECTive when you are out on the river.

EFFECT-ive River Running Tactics:

E-ntry to exit route and manoeuvre.
F-lows and features that could help.
F-lows and features that could hinder.
E-ssential strokes, positions and moves.
C-ontingency plans and switch points.
T-eam members’ safety and positioning.

Entry to exit route and manoeuvre:

Where are your start & finish points and what is your intended route between the two locations?

EFFECTive River Running Tactics

Flows and features that could help:

Are there are any flows or features (waves to surf, diagonals to generate lateral momentum, stoppers to slow you down, etc.) that will help you reach your intended finish point. It is always easier to use the rivers’ energy when possible rather than fighting it, identifying flows and features that can help and utilising them is also extremely satisfying!

Flows and features that could hinder:

In the same vein as the point above, are there are any flows or features that will hinder your progress towards your intended finish point. If you think there are any major flows or features that could impede your progress you may want to reconsider and re-plan your intended route between your start and finish points.

Essential strokes, positions and moves:

Even on relatively easy sections of water there are often key strokes, positions, and moves that need to be made to successfully reach your intended finish point, this becomes more prevalent when paddling more difficult sections of whitewater. Identifying the essential strokes, positions, and moves you need to make also means you are less likely to miss them!

EFFECTive River Running Tactics

Contingency plans and switch points:

What are you going to do if you miss a stroke, get spun around, hit a rock, have to roll, etc? Having a contingency plan (e.g. a back-up eddy) and knowing when to change to it helps you be more proactive if things go a little bit wrong! It is very hard to get ‘back on track’ if you don’t have one, minor mistakes can easily turn into major ones when paddling reactively rather than proactively.

Team members’ safety and positioning:

If paddling in a team it is worth considering how your actions could affect who you are with, this is from safety, rescue, and enjoyment perspectives.

A few points to consider: will you be able to see anyone (or will anyone be able to see you…) when you reach you intended destination? Are you (or is anyone in your group) aware of what features are coming up if you miss your intended eddy? Are you in a position to help your team if anything goes wrong (is anyone in your team in a position to help you if things go wrong)? Are there enough eddies for everyone in the group to use on the section? Are there any features you or your team want to stop and play on whilst making your way down the river?

EFFECTive River Running Tactics

Similarly to the idea that when looking to develop as a paddler we never just ‘go paddling’ without a purpose, implementing a tactical approach to your boating takes effort, with enough effort though this soon becomes second nature and the considerations covered above can soon be assessed in a matter of seconds.

Have fun and stay safe out there!

Words and pictures: Rich Tyler

Bio:

EFFECTive River Running Tactics

Rich runs Limitless Adventures delivering a range of paddlesport courses and coaching programs across North and South Wales.

www.LimitlessAdventures.co.uk