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Power paddling through rambunctious waves, enjoying nature's bounty, water wars, it's all part of paddling an inflatable kayak, aka inflatable canoe/Tahiti. To make your river run a fun and safe outdoor adventure, follow these steps.
1. Begin with class one and two riffles (small rapids). Whitewater is rated on a scale of one to five - sometimes to six depending on the river classification used. Level one is super easy and level five (or six), is run only by the most experienced or the most foolhardy. If this is your first time, take a guided trip. Never run the river alone.
2. Dress for comfort and safety: lightweight clothing, tennis shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen, and last but not least, a life jacket. Wearing a life jacket is the number one rule in river safety. The life jacket should not be the horsecollar variety. These may be fine for lakes but easily slip off in the rapids.
3. Be prepared. Pack a first aid kit, camera (a cheap waterproof disposable is the best bet), water guns, high energy snacks and thirst quenchers. Ziplock baggies are pocket book friendly dry bag substitutes. Save the beer for after your run. Alcohol and paddling don't mix, and are the leading cause of drowning.
4. Read the river. The upside down V (the chute) is the deepest channel and where you will most likely enter the whitewater. When you can't see ahead, get out and scout it (watch out for snakes hiding under rocks and brush in the heat of the day and sunning themselves in the early morning or evening.) The river constantly changes, so don't take it for granted.
5. Avoid reversals waves, also called keepers because the more powerful ones can keep a craft and paddler indefinitely. They easily flip Tahitis. But, reversals are easy to recognize because the powerful current flips back upon itself, creating a hole (another name you'll hear them called) below the rock. Should you ever find yourself trapped underwater by a reversal, the experts say this is the one time when you should take off your life jacket. Then you can dive under the current, which may be the only way out.
6. Avoid obstructions. Water is the most powerful force on earth and doesn't have to be deep to pin someone under a fallen tree or branch. In fast moving water, avoid the water near the bank.
7. Now that we've told you want not to do, here's how to have some fun! Put in at a place where the river is fairly calm. This will give you a chance to practice paddling. Hold your paddle comfortably and with each stroke pull the water on alternate sides. Paddle lightly to conserve energy.
8. What's that roar up ahead, you ask as your Adrenalin level rises. Often the roar is bigger than the rapid, and if you're with a guide, chances are your first riffle will be a small one. As you approach the whitewater, look for your route, usually the upside down V. Enter it head on. If your craft hits the whitewater sideways, you'll likely flip. Forget raising your paddle in the air like they do in the beer commercials. Dig into the whitewater and paddle! Rather than leaning back away from the whitewater, paddle aggressively. This is how you will balance your inflatable canoe.
9. If you should find yourself in the water, get calm. Lots of Tahiti paddlers have taken a spill once or twice. Float on your back, feet first with your toes up where you can see them - this reduces the chance of getting a foot caught under a rock. Steer away from rocks. Do not try to swim or stand up in fast current. Go with the flow, steering away from rocks, and you'll be in calm water before you know it with your inflatable, paddle, and gear hopefully soon following!
10. If you don't flip, and you shouldn't if you remember to paddle aggressively, maneuver around the reversals and keep your craft headed straight down the V, you will be hooping and hollering and having the time of your life. If you're with a group, you can applaud each other and take snapshots. Paddling whitewater is both a thrilling and relaxing water sport. Relaxing, because it totally occupies your mind. It's impossible to dwell on problems while your paddling your way through the waves. And, it's a blast!
11. While it's easy to get addicted to whitewater, remember flat water has its advantages. Maybe you'll see a turtle sunning itself on a rock, a doe and her fawn watching shyly from the underbrush, a beaver's dam, or if you're really lucky, you might catch a glimpse of one of nature's most playful creatures, river otters. Look for otters near tributaries. And, there's always the ducks. Lie back in your inflatable and watch the birds soar overhead...if your lucky like we are, eagles, osprey and blue heron nest along your river.
Flat water's's also the time for water fights. Beware the group on the raft waving you over with cheshire grins on their faces! Our son on his first trip down river, came armed with a battalion of super soakers. He was delighted to see a group of eight or so rafts pulled over at the bank engaged in water fights. He asked me to paddle over so he could join in the fun, so I hesitatingly obliged. Of course, once we paddled near the rafts, their battles with each other came to a quick halt as they all aimed their water weapons at us!
If water fights and viewing nature aren't your cup of java, then consider this advantage to flat water. It gives you a chance to rest up for the next riffle!
12.You've reached the take out point and all good things must come to an end. f you're camping, you and your buddies will have fun reliving the days events around the campfire. If you're headed home, you'll have plenty good memories and photos for reminiscing until you're next river adventure!
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