Flying over smooth bedrock with whitewater all around is paddling’s equivalent to powder skiing and is something that every boater should experience. As appealing as this high-speed application of our sport is, there are a number of things to consider and skills to develop before accelerating off the horizonline.
Generally, the best runnable slides are found in areas with high concentrations of granite—think the Sierra Nevada, Canadian Shield and the Southeastern U.S. Granite is the smoothest rock for your plastic boat to slide over, and the most forgiving if you end up sliding on something other than your hull.
When considering a slide, examine the surrounding rock. Most of the time, the characteristics of this rock will give you a good idea of the abrasiveness of the slide. Another clue is how violent the water is as it flows over the rock—explosions and rooster tails indicate underwater obstacles.
As you scout, ask yourself, how steep is the slide? The steeper and longer it is, the faster you will be going and the larger and deeper the landing pool needs to be. Also, pick out your ideal exit from the drop. You can work your way upstream and piece together your line from there. If one piece of the puzzle doesn’t fit, you can always seal launch halfway down. Finally, pick out any hazards that may exist in the slide. These include holes, piton rocks or curlers that can flip you in the shallow water.
It is important to be tuned in to the rocker profile and edges of your boat. You want to know that you can make it over rooster tails and ridges rather than pitoning, and that you won’t trip up on your edges. In general, creek boats with rounded edges are most forgiving on slides.
TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN SLIDING
Be aggressive and try to drive your boat slightly faster than the water. Keep your boat on line and going straight with a combination of rudders and powerful forward sweeps. An active blade in the water is critical to minimize sideways sliding, spinouts or worse. Don’t ever find yourself with your blades in the air!
Have a plan B and C when running slides. This is a team effort, and often involves setting throw bags at holes and being ready for the worst case scenario, paddler unconsciousness.
Your primary goal is to stay upright and aggressive. In the event of a flip, roll as quickly as possible using any means necessary. Wear elbow pads so you can shield your face. A full-face helmet is also a wise investment.
Chris Gragtmans is a two-time Green Race Ironman Champion and Team Dagger athlete.
This article first appeared in the Early Summer 2012 issue of Rapid Magazine. For more great content, subscribe to Rapid’s print and digital editions here.
