Our friend and fellow ecuador traveler John has made some significant breakthroughs in his paddling this summer.  This most recent revelation is one experienced by every kayaker: the moment that a particular rapid/river starts to slow down enough that it is possible...

After twenty-five years of teaching and guiding, you would think that nothing messes with the trademark calm façade of Ken Kastorff. But f you ask Kastorff what he worries about on the river the calm façade behind those Killer Loop glasses is betrayed. Forget making...

Everything I learned about boofing… usually came after missing yet another golden opportunity to pull of a good boof.   In hindsight, timing is everything and I wandered into kayaking in the late-80’s, right in the middle of a new transition in the southeast from...

Now that’s what I call summer camp! by Sara Cermenaro Three years ago the Georgia-Carolina Boy Scout Council decided to expand its summer camp offering and include high adventure treks for older Scouts (including girls like me).  The most popular trek (because it was...

Just as boats evolve, strokes evolve as well. As strokes change, so do the methods for teaching each of them. Let’s talk about the sweep. This stroke is one that has evolved with the changes in boat size. For instructors what change means is constantly refining our...

If you are planning to learn how to kayak or are already an experienced paddler, the most important issue you need to be aware of is safety; safety not only on the water but also using safe basic techniques in all of your strokes and river maneuvers. Good technique...

No one can argue that Biff Downdagutt is a stud. Among his friends none have taken more beatings, spent more time upside down in heinous rapids, and still rolled the boat when it counted. Yet a recent crash has left Biff with a pile of medical bills and a sliver of...

Hard men don’t do Yoga.  We don’t get in touch with our bodies or massage our inner beings.  There’s too much ice in our veins for them to be coursing with love and gratitude.  When something hurts, we punish it.  It either heals or it breaks.  The pain, the soreness...

What is your Webster's Dictionary definition of a Full Sweep? All agreed: It is three strokes in one: the forward sweep, continued into a stern draw, the two together equaling a full 180-degree sweep from bow to stern. Added to that: Ryan: It is a stroke used to start...

The way the centerline hand rule works: If you are weight shift bracing (sitting on edge) at the brink of falling over: if the hand further from the water crosses the centerline (without shoulder rotation) you will fall over.  Consequently, you can't center your...

First you must read the hole to see if it is directional or symmetrical. Directional holes are set at an angle to the current. In directional holes the whitewater and greenwater suggest that you do moves directionallyóeither to the right or left. In a symmetrical...

It is quite possible that this is on of the most important decisions a boater faces on the river. When, where, for how long? These and others are the dilemmas one is challenged with in an uncertain and dynamic environment like the incredible whitewater rivers we...