Navigating river rapids with a kayak can be an exhilarating and challenging experience. It can also be dangerous and nerve-wracking! It requires proper technique, skill, and safety precautions.
I’ve been a paddle craft buff for over 40 years, but I’ve also gleaned a lot of information from experts who know way more than I do about the specific skills and thought processes you’ll need to navigate raging rivers successfully. Here are some essential tips to help you successfully navigate river rapids with a kayak, and then want to do it over and over again!
Table of Contents
1 – Be sure to use the proper kayak!
You’d be surprised how many inexperienced paddlers are unsure of what type of kayak is needed (or can handle) rivers and whitewater. Even more concerning is how many paddlers try to “conquer” rapids using a kayak not designed for rough water (ie. a fishing kayak).
PLEASE opt for a kayak specifically designed for whitewater or river running. These kayaks are typically shorter, more maneuverable, and have higher rocker (the upward curve of the hull), allowing for better agility in rapids.
2 – Wear appropriate safety gear
Always wear a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket when kayaking in rapids. Additionally, a helmet, neoprene spray skirt, and protective clothing can provide extra safety and protection.
Rivers are challenging in the best of circumstances so it’s never wise to kayak rapids without the most protection you can get, but at minimum, a helmet and PFD are absolute non-negotiables!
I might mention here that if you are traveling with a group, it’s imperative to know who is carrying what regarding safety gear, backup gear, maps, first aid, etc.
3 – Scout the rapids
Before attempting to navigate any rapid, take the time to scout the area. This involves visually inspecting the rapids from a safe vantage point on the riverbank. Look for potential hazards, such as rocks, strainers (obstacles that allow water to pass through but can trap a kayak), or strong currents.
Stoppers or holes are especially dangerous obstacles. Stoppers are present when the main flow of water down the rapids is recirculated back upstream in a turbulent, foamy mass. Kayaks and people can get stuck in a stopper and won’t be able to get out of big ones without help.
Try to avoid them, or if you can’t, be sure to keep your kayak facing downstream and don’t let it get turned sideways in the stopper.
Scouting rapids is done by even veteran river runners who know the river well. The conditions of a set of rapids will change dramatically from week to week when the weather is volatile, not to mention conditions changing from one year to the next which can be drastic enough to alter plans for your whole trip!
In this photo above, the paddler is “wave surfing” with a playboat, which is a specialized kayak made specifically for whitewater maneuverability. He’s located in a “stopper” and he’s facing upstream. This can be very dangerous for inexperienced paddlers, but it’s a standard maneuver for experts.
4 – Learn paddling techniques
Familiarize yourself with different paddling techniques used in whitewater kayaking. So much can be said about all the individual strokes needed for safety and success, but here’s where you can start.
The basic strokes include forward strokes, reverse strokes, sweep strokes, draw strokes, and braces. These techniques will help you control the kayak and maneuver through rapids effectively.
You can learn some basic paddle strokes like a draw stroke, sweep stroke and a brace (common to both canoes and kayaks) on our YouTube channel!
5 – Learn about and understand river features
Learn to read the river and understand its features. Rapids can have various components, including eddies (calm areas of water behind obstacles), waves, hydraulics (water recirculating back on itself), and holes (turbulent water with a depression). Knowing how to use these features to your advantage will make navigation easier and safer.
Water depth, which varies by season and by year, will play a crucial role in determining the condition of rapids for better or worse.
Many books have been written for just this purpose and it’s best to familiarize yourself with river reading.
If you are with a group and you are not experienced in whitewater kayaking, there should be an experienced and responsible paddler who understands the basic features of the river and whether or not everyone in the group has the skill set to navigate them. If not, a carry-around should be practiced.
6 – Practice Eddy-Hopping
Eddy hopping involves moving from one eddy to another while avoiding the main current. By utilizing eddies strategically, you can rest, plan your route, or avoid obstacles. Practice entering and exiting eddies smoothly to gain confidence in your maneuvering abilities.
Some eddies are large enough to accommodate a large group of paddlers while others are so small, it’s easy for anyone to miss it. Small eddies are often called micro-eddies.
Whoever is first into an eddy should move away from the eddy line to allow other paddlers into the eddy if kayaking with a group.
7 – Use Proper Body Positioning
Maintain a centered and balanced body position in your kayak. Keep your knees slightly bent and your weight forward, especially when paddling through waves or holes. This position provides stability and allows for quicker adjustments to changes in the water.
It should go without saying that a lower center of gravity (in any watercraft) is something everyone should be aware of and you should try to achieve. Low and in the middle; that’s the position that will allow you to maneuver quickly, properly, and safely.
8 – Communicate with your paddling partners
If you’re kayaking with others, establish clear communication signals or calls to coordinate movements and avoid collisions. Use hand signals or verbal commands to communicate your intentions and potential hazards.
Whitewater turbulence is often far too noisy to be able to easily communicate verbally.
It’s also crucial that you determine before your trip begins, some basic strategies like who will enter and exit an eddy first, who will be the first down the river and how your fellow paddlers are positioned in order. Often the best paddlers will be the first and the last in a group.
9 – Start with smaller rivers and easier rapids
Begin with rapids that match your skill level and gradually progress to more challenging ones. Starting with easier rapids allows you to build confidence, develop your technique, and make safer decisions on the water.
An experienced paddler or outfitter will be able to direct you to such rapids and it’s wise to plan your trip with this in mind. Different rivers have rapids of varying difficulties and the time of the season will also determine the force of each rapid.
For example, later in the Summer season, rapids become less turbulent and “smaller” but rocks and other obstacles can be more prominent during times of lower water.
Lower water levels can mean the emergence of larger stoppers where recirculating water pours back upstream into a depression and can hold a boat in its grip. Deeper water often makes for less pronounced waves and stoppers and may allow you to paddle right over the obstacle – especially if it is an unbroken wave.
A white water river is made up primarily of currents and eddies. It is up to the paddler to use these forces to maneuver and stop the boat. Entering currents, stopping the boat in case of a problem, to take a rest or to look at something interesting, and navigating your way across a river are vital skills that you need to learn to stay in control of your boat and to enjoy your time on white water.
– The Illustrated Handbook of Kayaking, Canoeing and Sailing” –
10 – Practice self-rescue techniques
It’s essential to know self-rescue techniques in case you capsize or encounter difficulties. Learn how to perform an Eskimo roll (flipping the kayak upright while remaining inside), wet exits (exiting the kayak while submerged), and swimming in whitewater currents.
Practicing these techniques in a controlled environment is crucial before attempting them in rapids.
In extreme cases you may find yourself the potential victim of the most common danger for river paddlers – ENTRAPMENT. This happens in fairly shallow water as your kayak gets pinned against a rock, tree or even the bottom of the river. If you’re trapped, fatalities can happen within seconds.
Be sure you are well-informed of these dangers and/or monitored closely by an instructor who can help.
11 – Never go alone
This is a tough one – I know! Sometimes there are no partners available for an afternoon trip to the water. Even so, it’s strongly recommended to kayak with a group or have a kayaking partner, especially in challenging rapids. Having others nearby ensures you have assistance in case of emergencies or the need for rescue.
Obviously, if you are VERY experienced and know the river well (then you’re likely not reading this article), you can fudge on this rule a bit, but for everyone else … you have your orders!
Key Takeaways
Remember, safety should always be your top priority when kayaking in river rapids. It’s crucial to have the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge to navigate safely. If you’re new to whitewater kayaking, consider taking lessons from a certified instructor or joining a local kayaking club to gain valuable guidance and experience.
One of the best resources to familiarize yourself with basic river kayaking procedures, protocols, techniques and best practices is a book by Bill Mattos and Jeremy Evans called “The Illustrated Handbook of Kayaking, Canoeing and Sailing”.
Not only is this book easy to read given its copious illustrations and photos but it gives you just the right amount of information so as not to discourage you with hundreds of pages of in-depth content that no one has time to read.
