Re: [Paddlewise] First Overnight; Paddling Advice Please

Su wrote:
> Here's the advice I want: I am a _way_ beginner paddler, and we were on a
> Class 1 river yesterday and today. The only problem I encountered was
> "spinning out" on turns. The current was pretty swift (by my standards) and
> I found early on that, as I was going around bends, the current would push
> my stern so that the boat would swing and I would end up sidewise to the
> river. 

This generally only happens when you are traveling slower than the
current.  Let the current push you up to its speed, or paddle fast
enough to get up to speed with the current.  When you're actually moving
with the river, your boat speed relative to the river speed is 0. 
(Although the trees and brush on the bank are WHOOSHING past you!).

I assume you were already paddling at river speed until you hit a turn.
The water on the outside of the corner accelerated as it rushed around
the turn.  You could either accelerate to keep up with it, and keep the
river's effect on your boat nil; or you could paddle toward the inside
of the turn, where the water moves more slowly, and you'll be less
likely to "spin out".

The only other thing I can think of is that you might be "eddying out". 
Your bow gets into the eddy, where slower, or backwards-moving water
is.  Your stern is still out in the flow, and you get spun around. 
Unless you want to stop and rest, or have an easy spot to paddle
upstream, avoid eddies.

Shawn
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