If you’ve been thinking about getting into paddling or simply want to be able to converse with a paddler. This quick “Paddling Primer” will help you to understand some of the terminology used by whitewater boaters.
Boat Terminology
Canoe – A slim and maneuverable (generally) open boat accommodating one or several paddlers.
C-1 – Similar in appearance to a kayak but paddled with a single bladed paddle and the paddler kneels in the boat. A C-2 accomodates two paddlers.
Flotation Bags – Airfilled bags used to disperse water in the event of capsizing thus allowing a paddler to right the boat without exiting or, in the event of an exit, prevents the boat from filling and further imperiling both the boat and the swimmer.
Kayak – A covered boat in which the paddler sits and paddles with a double bladed paddle.
Spray Skirt – a watertight skirting that loops over a lip in a boat to prevent water from entering the boat and clings tightly to the paddler, yet still allows him/her to escape if necessary.
River Terminology
Boat-Eater - A "monster hole" in a rapid, big enough to swallow a boat. Also known as a bus-stopper.
Boil - Swirly or unpredictable currents pushing to the surface. Usually caused by rocks pushing the water to the surface.
Bony - Rapid with lots of rocks and obstacles requiring lots of maneuvering.
Broach – to become stuck broadside against a rock or obstacle in the river.
C.F.S. - Cubic Feet per Second. Measurement of velocity of water flow at a given point in a river.
Chute: a narrow constricted portion of the river.
Class or Classification – An international scale of river difficulty ranging from Class I, the easiest, to Class VI the most difficult. More
Confluence - The junction of two rivers or forks of a river.
Curler - A large wave, often at the bottom of a drop, with a crest that spills upon its upstream slope; These often can be used to surf with your boat.
Drop - A short, well-defined section of a rapid characterized by a notable drop in elevation between the top and bottom of the section. At 6 ft a drop becomes a falls.
Eddy – An area of calm water behind (downstream) of an obstruction, such as a boulder, in the main current. In an eddy water flows counter to that of the main current allowing a paddler to take a break in the middle of a section of rapids. A boiling eddy is similar to an eddy but the water is boiling rather than completely calm. The Eddy Line is the spot where the quiet water of the Eddy meets the current. Staying inside the eddy line prevents the boat from being swept downstream.
Eddy Out - Term used to describe leaving the main current and entering an eddy, often done for the purpose of assessing the course ahead or simply to rest.
Ferry - A maneuver used to cross a current with little or no down stream travel. Utilizes the current's force to move the boat sideways at a 45 degree angle.
Gradient - the measurement of a river's descent in feet per mile or meters per kilometer. Considered together with CFS and water level to provide paddlers with information allowing conclusions regarding a river's difficulty. See also CFS and Classification system.
Haystacks (aka Standing Waves) - Big waves in a wave "train" often following a drop.
Hole or Hydraulic - A hole is created when the river current drops over a rock or ledge and circulates backward. Depending on the power of a hole a paddler may need to avoid it altogether, for fear of becoming trapped or may use it to “play”. The larger and more powerful the hole is, the more likely it is that a paddler will refer to it as a hydraulic. A large hole that can keep and hold a boat or swimmer for a dangerously long period of time is sometimes referred to as a “Keeper”
PFD - Personal Floating Device. The official name for a Life Jacket per Coast Guard definition. It is required by law and your most important life-saving tool.
Pillow - Water that builds up around a rock in the main current. Pillows are stuffed with rock.
Put-In - Starting place of a river trip, where you put your boat on the river to begin a run or trip.
River Left - The left-hand side of the river when looking downstream. When downstream looking upstream it is on your right.
River Right - The right-hand side of the river when looking downstream. When downstream looking upstream it is on your left.
Roll (aka Eskimo Roll) – Using the paddle (or for very experienced paddlers the hands) to right a boat that has capsized without exiting the boat. Covered boats such as kayaks roll much more easily than an uncovered boat. An uncovered boat can only be rolled if it contains flotation bags that prevent it from being filled with water and the paddler is strapped in.
Roostertail - Spray of water that explodes off a submerged rock or obstacle.
Scout: to walk along a river bank to inspect the river and determine areas of difficulty and strategies for running the river.
Standing Waves - Big waves that often indicate the main channel. These are also referred to as Haystacks.
Strainer - Current clogged with tree branches or debris that allows the water to flow through but not a boat or a person. This is one of the most dangerous hazards in whitewater.
Take-Out - Ending point of a paddling trip, where the boats are finally taken from the water.
Technical: rapids containing many obstacles and requiring constant maneuvering
Throw Bag - Rescue device incorporating a 60 ft. floating rope coiled inside a nylon bag, to be thrown while holding one rope end.
Tongue - A smooth downstream V indicating the route through a rapid.
Undercut - An overhanging rock or ledge with water flowing underneath it. A serious hazard!
Waterfall - Major drop in a riverbed, usually over six feet in height.
Wave Train - A series of standing waves or runout of a rapid. Also called "haystacks."
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