White Water Kayaking

 
  White water kayaking is paddling a kayak along rapids, or fast flowing bodies of waters in rivers, creeks and gorges.  White water kayaking is classified from (1) the easiest and gently flowing parts of the river to (6) the most dangerous, and difficult rapids in order to suit different abilities and ages. 

When going on a white water kayaking vacation choose whether you want a one person kayak or a two person kayak.  A K-1 is very maneuverable especially in fast flowing rapids. Knowing where to use the kayak is also very important.  River running, creaking, slalom, play boating, and squirt boating are the kinds of activities you may participate in.  River running is used in slow rivers, creaking for very difficult and advanced turns and rapids of the river, slaloms are for racing kayaks from a designated point up the river, play boating is generally for display and artistic movements, and squirt boating is used for other fancy maneuvers not generally made in play boating.

For women and children, low volume boats are recommended while medium and heavy volume boats are suitable for men and carrying materials.

The types of paddles you choose depend on the kind of kayaking you are going to do. 
Wider blades are useful for speed but use more energy.  Feathered paddles have the blades turned in at an angle giving more efficient strokes.  Symmetrical blades are prone to twists compared to unsymmetrical ones. The shaft is adjustable with a paddle at each end to suit the desired length of the user.

Clothing called cagoules is standard equipment. Dry, semi-dry, touring, and splash cagoules all serve different purposes and trips. Features should preferably encompass no underarm seams, front pockets with resistant zippers, reflective stripes and adjustable hoods. Trousers should have a high back, cargo style pockets, reinforced knee area, and seamless crouch. 


Helmets are necessary accessories for white water kayaking.  A full cut or side cut helmet is ok for most situations.  Inner dual liner foam should provide comfort and protection. A nose clip should also be employed to avoid inhaling the water for every dip and down you are going to experience.  Gloves should be soft and comfortable with leather palm, and Velcro adjustments. See our Online Store accessories and equiptment.

Lines and pulleys come as rescue equipment.  Throw lines should preferably be 15 meters long, with plastic lines and packing bag and reinforced inside seams.  Pulleys should be able to handle ropes with .12 cm diameter. Karabiners or metal loops with screw or snap gate crabs are used in rescue situations and connections should be lightweight and strong.   

Other things that will be helpful are detailed routes and maps, a description of the run, which cover, minimum and maximum water currents, location of river gauges and other interesting geology and historical facts of the region.


The best rivers to go white water kayaking are the Upper and Lower Grand Canyon, the Upper Salt River near Tucson, rivers in Yosemite, Gauley River in West Virginia, Salmon River, Idaho, Hudson River Gorge at Lake Placid and Lake George, Yellowstone River, Ottawa River at Beach burg, Ontario and Bryson, Quebec, Futaleufu River in Patagonia, Chile, rivers flowing the Pico de Orizaba, in the diverse region of Veracruz, Mexico to the unspoiled rivers of Oaxaca, Mexico with clean, warm waters flowing among granite boulders.

The health benefits of white water kayaking are tremendous.  These include weight loss, stress loss and increased strength. Five hours of paddling burns up 2000 calories.  Stress is relieved because it’s a back to nature adventure where worries of the day are forgotten and attention is focused on staying and conquering the course.  Due to the paddling actions, muscle tone is built in the arms, abdomen and thighs.