7 Tips For Great Whitewater Etiquette

Skills

By

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August 18, 2016

Photo: Hannah Griffin — A kayaker rides some big waves.

Every sport has subtle rules of etiquette that participants expect of their teammates and partners. Some of these rules of thumb are obvious, and some will be seared into your brain from experience, like if you fail to signal to a downstream surf session and accidently crash into an unsuspecting playboater.

1. Respect the line

The social aspect of surf sessions on the river is one of the best things about playboating, especially if you are a beginner and looking to watch some more experienced paddlers land tricks. Many popular surf waves fill up with enthusiastic playboaters, especially on the weekends, making it common to have a collection of kayakers waiting in the eddies. Be polite and respect the line, making sure everyone gets a chance to show their stuff.

2. Share your snacks

Packing excellent river snacks makes breaks and floating lunches a great hiatus from the excitement of whitewater. Spread the love by sharing your snacks and treats, especially if some of your paddling partners forget to bring their own grub.

3. Use your river signals

River signals are a key safety element. From letting your friends know you are okay after a big swim to communicating with an upstream paddler that the river is clear for them to go, good signals can prevent major mishaps. Kayakers will have a variation of different signals they use, so it’s a good idea to establish a baseline with your group before you hit the river to make sure everyone is on the same page.

4. Make room in the eddy

If you are in the eddy before your paddling partners, be considerate of where you position yourself and how that will affect upstream kayakers. This is especially important if the eddy is essential to catch because of hazards or a drop downstream. Each time you catch an eddy, think about how much room you would want from other kayakers and hang out accordingly.

5. Be a respectful shuttle participant

Ah, the shuttle. A seemingly easy process that often ends in a lack of essential gear and confusion. While it is simple to botch the shuttle, try your best to keep track of your things and have the right items at the take-out. If you are a passenger in a shuttle vehicle, try to keep your wet things in a dry bag or on a tarp and don’t hop in your seat in wet clothes unless you have permission from the driver.

6. Offer help to less experienced kayakers

Kayaking is one of the best sports for meeting encouraging people who will volunteer tips and advice. This is often because those dispensing the advice vividly remember the exhausting days spent swimming and emptying their boats. Even if you aren’t an experienced kayaker, you can always help your fellow paddlers out from aiding boat carrying at a tricky put-in to holding their paddle while they adjust their ratchet straps to helping them tie-down their kayak. Hello good karma!

7. Be prepared

Good whitewater etiquette largely depends on being prepared. Bring a throwbag and know how to use it. Have water and sunscreen. Understand your ability. Scout properly. Check water levels. Pack a first aid kit. Some of these things are learned from experience, but arriving ready to paddle as prepared as you can be will help you and your fellow kayakers have an awesome and safe day on the water.

The Ultimate Backcountry Birthday Cake Recipe

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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August 17, 2016

Being on a canoe trip for your birthday is a treat in itself. Make it even more special with a camp-stove friendly birthday cake. More akin to a fudge brownie—and less reliant on food science for success—this backcountry birthday cake recipe is just as festive as a classic bonne fete cake when decorated with icing and candy.

Backcountry Birthday Cake Recipe

Prep at Home

¼ cup (60 mL) all-purpose flour
3 tbsp (45 mL) vanilla sugar or granulated sugar
2 tbsp (30 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp (15 mL) powdered eggs
¼ tsp (1 mL) baking powder
⅛ tsp (0.5 mL) salt
⅓ cup (75 mL) icing sugar
¼ cup (60 mL) chocolate chips (optional)
Coloured sprinkles or candy (optional)
Parchment paper and foil

In a sealable plastic bag, combine flour, vanilla sugar, cocoa, powdered eggs, baking powder and salt. Seal and store at room temperature for up to one month.

[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all camp kitchen accessories ]

Pack icing sugar, chocolate chips and candy in separate sealable plastic bags.

Cut a circle of parchment paper to fit into the bottom and about half an inch up the sides of a six-inch skillet; roll up and pack. Pack a piece of foil slightly larger than the skillet.

To Serve

⅓ cup (75 mL) water
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil

First, preheat your camp stove over low heat.

Shake flour mixture in bag; pour in four tablespoons of water and the oil. Gently squeeze until evenly moistened.

Rub a little water over both sides of the parchment paper to make it more flexible and prevent burning. Place parchment paper in skillet. Pour batter onto the paper and spread evenly; cover skillet with foil.

Hold skillet about two inches above the burner for five to eight minutes, or until the top just looks dry and edges spring back when lightly touched. Remove from heat; let stand covered for two minutes. Invert cake onto a plate or heatproof surface; peel off paper.

If using chocolate chips, sprinkle over hot cake and let melt, then gently spread to cover evenly. Let cool completely.

For the icing, add one teaspoon (5 mL) water to the icing sugar in the bag and gently squeeze to blend to a smooth, thick icing, just slightly thinner than a soft putty. If necessary, add a few drops of water at a time, and squeeze icing to mix, just until desired consistency. Cut a small tip off one bottom corner of bag, twist bag just above icing and gently squeeze to write or draw decorations on top of cooled cake, then garnish with sprinkles, as desired.

Additional Tips For The Perfect Backcountry Cake

Parchment paper might sound fussy for camping, but it does allow you to “bake” in a skillet without adding oil, which would create a fried product rather than a tender baked one.

If your burner doesn’t go low and tends to scorch foods and uses a pump to build pressure for the fuel canister, pump less pressure, or release some pressure, before lighting to reduce the flame and prevent burning baked goods.

Chopped dehydrated berries and nuts are a nice backcountry alternative to icing and sprinkles; just sprinkle them over top of the batter before cooking.

As a cheater backcountry birthday cake, you can use your favorite pancake recipe, stir in some coloured sprinkle and make a large pancake, then decorate the top with icing and more sprinkles.

Storm-proof matches can double as impromptu candles.

Baker’s Backcountry Cake Recipe from the NOLS Cooking Show:

How To Light Paint For Spectacular Canoe Trip Photos

Skills

By

Rob Nelson

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August 17, 2016

A few years ago a friend and I jumped at the opportunity to spend a few days in the backcountry of Algonquin Park on Thanksgiving weekend. After setting up camp on Misty Lake, dusk turned to night at the early hour of 6:30 p.m. With dinner finished and site chores complete, I grabbed my new DSLR to experiment with some long exposure shots. To include ourselves in the photos, we took turns standing extremely still, while one of us illuminated the other with a headlamp. Several successful shots later, my fascination with light painting was born.

Light painting uses a slow shutter speed and various light sources to create color and design in an otherwise darkened image.

During a long exposure the shutter of the camera remains open and allows all available light to hit the sensor. If you do this for a second or two in bright conditions, the image will turn out overexposed or even white. However, in dark conditions, all available light is recorded so if you walk across the frame with a light source you create a bright line. Or, if you bathe your friend in a headlamp’s glow they become visible standing in the dark. With the immediate feedback of being able to view photos on your digital camera you can really fine-tune the look.

There are two ways to paint with light. The first is to aim the light source towards the camera lens. Using a focused beam, with this technique you can trace outlines of boats or tents, draw forest creatures or write words in the air like you did with sparklers as a kid (just remember to write letters backwards). Even though you are in the camera’s field of vision, so long as you keep moving and you’re not illuminated, you won’t show up in the image.

The second way to light paint is to stand back from the subject with the light source pointed away from the camera. This technique is perfect for creating broad highlights in an otherwise dark image. During the shutter release use your light source like a brush to paint the parts of your image you want to highlight, such as a tree, camper or canoe. For example, to illuminate your campsite against a starry sky, set your exposure to capture the sky then shine a broad beam of light across the site for a fraction of the time the shutter is open. Too much bright light and you’ll overexpose the foreground.

Once you wrap your head around these two methods you can draw pictures and words or bring attention to different areas of the scene, harnessing light to build the image you want.

Rob Nelson is a photographer with a passion for exploring wild places. www.robnelson.ca

This article originally appeared in the Canoeroots Summer/Fall 2016 issue.

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How To Make The Perfect DIY First Aid Kit

By

Mike Webster

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August 17, 2016

Without customization, your first aid kit is potentially just a heavy and bulky piece of junk. Yes, you read that right. Whether it’s an expedition kit costing hundreds of dollars or a simple pocket kit ordered off eBay, commercially pre- packaged first aid kits are often stocked with items that you’ll never need or can be improvised quickly in the field. By creating your own first aid kit you can customize the items to address specific environments, existing medical conditions and the needs of your group.

Consider length of trip, size of group, level of experience and training, types of activities, destination and medical backgrounds of your group when designing your kit. Pack your kit in something light and waterproof. Use small watertight bags within, like Ziplocs, to organize and categorize items for easy access.

While many outdoor retailers carry prepared commercial kits, they carry individual first aid items, like bandages and moleskin. Your local pharmacy will also have much of what you need to stock your kit and Amazon and eBay have great selections and even better prices.

Though there are great advantages to creating your own first aid kit, remember that relevant medical training, such as a wilderness first aid course and good critical thinking, are your best assets in an emergency. The following 19 items provide a foundation to build on for your DIY first aid kit for a three-to five-day wilderness canoe trip.

Mike Webster has worked as an expedition medic, outdoor emergency care instructor, past Canadian director of Wilderness Medical Associates, and is a field hospital manager for Odyssey Medical (www.odysseymedical.ca).

DRUGS

Paddlers with known life-threatening allergies should bring their own epinephrine. Antihistamines can manage minor allergic reactions. Consider bringing both ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory and acetaminophen for pain management. An over-the-counter solution for diarrhea, acid reflux and nausea or vomiting won’t save anyone’s life, but will save a paddler’s enjoyment of his or her trip. Don’t

forget day-to-day prescription medications.

REFERENCE

Even experienced trippers may panic in an emergency. Bring a pocket-sized wilderness first aid field guide. Referencing your guide also provides time to calm down and think logically

BLEEDING CONTROL

So long as you’re not canoeing in active combat zones you won’t need a tourniquet. Gauze pads, clothing and your gloved hand all control bleeding when direct pressure is applied. Avoid clotting powders and hemostatic agents— they’re expensive and not effective. Trauma shears cut clothing and bandages better than a knife.

WOUND CARE

Blisters are one of the most common injuries on trip—bring moleskin or an equivalent. A syringe with a catheter tip is ideal for wound irrigation. Consider a magnifying glass to help find small debris lodged in wounds. Tweezers help remove debris from wounds, as well as slivers or ticks. Pack an assortment of gauze and dressings, including non-stick options for burns. Bring an occlusive dressing, which is waterproof and seals the wound completely. Athletic tape will hold bandages in place.

FRACTURES AND MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES

Improvised splints can be created using branches, hiking poles or closed cell sleeping pads. Vet wrap or Coban is better than tape for wrapping splints, and holds in wet conditions. A triangular bandage provides support as a sling, and a compression bandage provides support for sprains and strains.

LIFE AND DEATH

Though bulky, a rigid CPR mask will assist with providing CPR with ventilations for a prolonged time period. While you might not be worried that any of your trip mates have bloodborne pathogens, gloves give you the confidence to manages all bodily fluids—vomit or feces included.

This article originally appeared in the Canoeroots Summer/Fall 2016 issue.

Subscribe to Paddling Magazine and get 25 years of digital magazine archives including our legacy titles: Rapid, Adventure Kayak and Canoeroots.

6 Essential Items For A Successful Cross-Country Canoe Trip

By

Tom Bateman

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August 17, 2016

How did Mike Ranta plan to follow up a speedy record-breaking solo trip across Canada in 2015? By doing it again—but faster.

Unofficially already holding the title for longest solo canoe trip, Ranta departed the West Coast on April 1, 2016, from Fisherman’s Memorial in Steveston, British Columbia. He’s aiming to break his own seven-month record over 7,500 kilometers and arrive in distant Cape Breton, Nova Scotia before his 45^thbirthday at the end of September. Along the way, he’s raising funds for Canada’s war heroes and invited veterans to meet him en route and sign his canoe so he and four-legged tripmate, Spitzii, can show their appreciation. These are the six essentials fueling his ride.

SPITZII, PUREBRED FINNISH SPITZ

“Spitzii turned eight on April 3 and we celebrated on the Fraser River. He’s my best friend, my bear scarer, and my campsite soldier,” says Ranta. “He and I have such a great bond and this is our third big trip we’ve done together. I wouldn’t leave without him.” As fearless as he is handsome, Spitzii hangs out on the bow deck and watches for rocks, logs and beavers, barking to alert Ranta when he sees something.

ATTA THE COCONUT

“I found a coconut when I was paddling near Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan. On my next trip, it disappeared on me,” says Ranta. “I did the whole trip and the coconut was gone about two years. When I was reconing for this trip I decided to camp where I stayed last time, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t find it. Spitz found it in amongst the grass. I call it Atta The Coconut. I’m from Atikokan, Ontario. Our mayor’s not impressed because he doesn’t like when people call us Atikoconuts, he prefers we call ourselves Atikokanites.”

SOURIS RIVER WILDERNESS 18

“This is its maiden voyage,” says Ranta of his red Kevlar ride. “It’s done great, it tracks nice and is bulletproof. I can’t say enough good things about it, actually.”

HAND-CRAFTED MEANY XY PADDLE

XY Company’s paddles are handmade by Don and Spencer Meany in Ranta’s hometown. They’re named after great explorers and voyageurs such as Alexander Mackenzie, Simon Fraser, William McGillivary, George Simpson, David Thompson and La Verendrye. “It’s a bent shaft, and an amazing paddle,” says Ranta.

HOMEMADE BIRCHBARK HAT

“A lot of kids call me the pirate when I go by,” says Ranta. “I use spruce root to sew it all together and a homemade adhesive from bear fat, pine pitch and charcoal. It’s a durable hat, and it’ll last forever.” Voyageur-level supporters of Ranta’s journey—defined as those donating more than $1,000 to the cause—will receive their own birchbark hat in the mail post-trip, handmade by Ranta and his father. Cowboy or sombrero styles available. Voyageur-level supporters will also receive a 2017 Spitzii calendar.

Mike Ranta places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa — Mike Ranta places a handmade wreath at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, Ontario. | Feature Photo: David Jackson

VETERAN SPIRIT

“My brother, Kevin, is a veteran. He was in Sarajevo and Bosnia and he came back a little bit broke,” says Ranta. “He’s a good man and I didn’t like the way he was being treated. That’s kind of what put me onto this: I’ve got that veteran spirit, I like to say. War is a terrible thing and we need to step up as Canadians and help these guys.” Fifty percent of the money raised by the journey will be donated to the Atikokan Legion. The remainder will be donated to the Atikokan Youth Centre, which was the beneficiary of Ranta’s record-breaking 2015 trip. —Tom Bateman

This article originally appeared in the Canoeroots Summer/Fall 2016 issue.

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One Couple, 1.1 Million Acres And 365 Days Living In The Wilderness

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

-

August 17, 2016

JUST THE TWO OF US. | PHOTO: NATE PTACEK

Christmas 2015 was a little different for seasoned adventurers Dave and Amy Freeman. The pair adorned their tent with solar-powered Christmas lights, built glowing ice luminaries, baked Norwegian sandbakkelse cookies and chowed down on a dehydrated holiday feast. Three months before, the Freemans had embarked on a yearlong stay in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota. The pair are spending a full year exploring more than 3,000 miles and 500 lakes and streams by canoe and dogsled in support of a campaign to protect the Boundary Waters from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining on the wilderness’ edge.

Unlike their 2015 expedition, which saw the Freeman’s paddle from the South Kawishiwi River to Washington, D.C. to hand deliver a canoe signed with 2,000 signatures protesting the mine, the year spent in the wilderness is dedicated to exploring and bringing awareness to America’s most popular canoe tripping destination. “We are not here to cross it or conquer it, but to bear witness to it,” says Dave.

JUST THE TWO OF US. | PHOTO: NATE PTACEK

How did you stay warm through winter?

It’s all about the calories. We ate between 4,500 to 5,000 calories a day. A typical day would start with coffee and oatmeal with a dollop of peanut butter, followed by trail mix, hunks of cheese and a Thermos of soup. Dinner consisted of pasta with smoked, responsibly harvested salmon, lots of butter or olive oil, dehydrated veggies and parmesan cheese. When it was really cold or we had worked extra hard we would bake a chocolate cake.

Does the reality of a year in the wilderness live up to the dream?

It’s not for everybody and we have our moments, but for the most part we work well together and enjoy being alone. We have found that communicating clearly and honestly with each other is important and we try to caring and considerate of each other’s needs. It is easy to get short with each other when we are cold, wet and tired. When this happens we try to talk about the conflict after we have had a warm meal, or the stresses have abated.

What have been the best and most difficult times?

Sitting by the lake and drinking our coffee and watching the light change is often one of the best parts of our day. We also enjoy finding a new place to camp, setting up our tent and making our new temporary home. Low days have been when we hear news from the outside world, like the passing of a relative, the Paris attacks, the Syrian refugee crisis and Prince’s death.

What’s after a Year in the Wilderness?

Hopefully we will have acquired a diverse array of stories, insight and photos that will allow us to travel around the country and share this special place with many more people through speaking engagements at schools, businesses and symposiums. We were transformed by the wilderness long ago, but it is becoming apparent that visiting is not enough. We have to work tirelessly to protect places like the Boundary Waters so that future generations will also be able to experience its transformative effects.

What have you learned so far?

We have learned to slow down and appreciate little things we would normally rush past. Being immersed in the wilderness has helped us understand how dramatically humans have altered and continue to alter the planet. It’s becoming clear to us that we need to put sustainability at the center of the the decisions we make. More than anything this experience has affirmed what a unique national treasure the Boundary Waters is and the need to protect it.

This article originally appeared in the Canoeroots Summer/Fall 2016 issue.

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Discovering Yukon Gold In Whitehorse

By

Peter Mather

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August 17, 2016

The Yukon. It’s a place that looms large in the minds of many. Few other places in the world remain so unchanged by modern life. Considered a once-in-a-lifetime dream destination by many canoeists, the territory’s vast wilderness has always inspired dreamers and explorers, including the works of author Jack London and poet Robert Service, as well as North America’s largest gold rush in history.

For locals—you might hear them referred to as sourdoughs— the Yukon offers much more than a single northern river bucket-list trip. Within a one-hour drive from the little metropolis of Whitehorse—the territory’s capital—there’s something for everyone: great mountain hiking and biking, crystal clear rivers, easy fishing, exciting rapids and spectacular canoe tripping. The wilderness is on our doorstep.

While I love and have paddled many rivers in the territory, it’s the nearby Takhini that holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I learned everything I know about canoeing. —Peter Mather

CMYK_Nahanni Wildlife016.jpg — PHOTOS: PETER MATHER

TRIPS

If you have a day visit spectacular Miles Canyon for easy hiking along the river edge, just minutes south of the city.

If you have a weekend enjoy the upper stretch of the Takhini River from the lake down to the first government campground. Stop for a hike in the ancient sand dunes on river right and play in the dead tree forest. Camp at the rapid Jaws, catch fish and enjoy a fresh fish lunch cooked over the open fire.

If you have a week spend the first couple of days exploring the headwaters of the Takhini River at Kusawa Lake. Sleep on the nicest beaches in the Yukon before heading down river. Take out on the Takhini River Bridge, just 10 kilometers outside of the capital city.

If you have two weeks venture further. The 715-kilometer trip north from the Whitehorse city dock to Dawson City’s shores traces the gold rush route and offers gorgeous gravel bar camping, scenic mountain vistas, historical sites and great wildlife viewing. Plus, the logistics of this road-accessed northern river trip are very simple.

STATS

AVERAGE SUMMER HIGH

14°C (July)

HOURS OF DAYLIGHT

19 (Whitehorse in June)

YUKON POPULATION

33,897 (People) 220,000 (Caribou)

WILDLIFE

Grayling, hawks and herds of elk. In August, watch for the red flash of Chinook salmon darting under your canoe. Further from town, look for caribou, bears and wolves.

DIVERSIONS

The Takhini Hot Springs are 100-year-old hot pools for soaking and relaxing, located just 28 kilometers from downtown Whitehorse.

BUCKET LIST

The Snake River offers the perfect combination of wilderness, incredible hiking, abundant wildlife and fun whitewater.

OUTFITTERS

Find a listing of outfitters offering gear rentals as well as guided trips at www.yukonwild.com.

MUST HAVE

A wetsuit or drysuit as water temperatures are barely above freezing even on the warmest days.

This article originally appeared in the Canoeroots Summer/Fall 2016 issue.

Subscribe to Paddling Magazine and get 25 years of digital magazine archives including our legacy titles: Rapid, Adventure Kayak and Canoeroots.

What To Do When An Elephant Charges Your Canoe

By

Kaydi Pyette

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August 17, 2016

What would you do if a 6,000-pound angry bull elephant charged your canoe?

If you’re National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Beverly Joubert, you hunker down and keep shooting.

Along with husband, Dereck, the Jouberts are among the world’s most famous wildlife photographers. Their film and photo honors include Emmys, a Peabody and the prestigious World Ecology Award.

“Our philosophy is to be as invisible as possible—we don’t want to interact with the wildlife at all,” says Beverly.

Though they’ve focused much of their work on intimately documenting the secret lives of big cats, like lions and jaguars, the intelligent and sensitive elephant has always been an animal close to their hearts.

The Jouberts have long used canoes to get up-close with elephants. Over the course of several seasons they took a series of river trips by canoe through the Selinda Reserve in northern Botswana, the seasonal home to more than 7,000 elephants, to film the award-winning PBS documentary, Soul of the Elephant, released last October.

“Elephants are not used to seeing man in a canoe—we try to remain invisible, but if they did spot us often they didn’t know what we were,” says Beverly. “With canoeing there is no mechanical sounds or metal grinding, we just became part of the river.”

Despite trying to keep a distance, occasionally the couple gets too close. During filming Soul of the Elephant, the husband-and-wife team were charged while working from their canoe. While Dereck filmed the bluff charges, Beverly recorded the angry elephant’s terrifyingly close trumpeting and snorts.

Close Encounter Photo by Pete Anderson.jpg

After the elephant left, the Jouberts discovered what they believe had agitated him further downstream: butchered elephant bodies, cut up to remove the ivory. Elephants have rich emotional lives, and are known to grieve for the dead and help each other when in distress, says Dereck during the film.

Not all encounters are so intense however. In the photo above, shot in the early 2000’s, a curious elephant approaches Beverly’s canoe. “He was feeding on succulent water grasses—he came closer with confidence, without aggression. We knew we had to be confident and remain still so we wouldn’t throw him off his game and cause him to charge or turn away,” says Beverly. “He carried on feeding. He was so close that as he was pulling up the grass I was getting hit with water droplets.”

Thirty-five years spent living primarily in bush camps on the savannah and in the jungle while chasing photos of Africa’s most iconic creatures has given the couple a thorough understanding of animal body language—it’s likely what has kept the Jouberts safe during these incredibly close encounters. “We definitely would not advise that people get close,” says Beverly.

“We’re incredibly privileged to have these moments. We’ve become ambassadors for the animals,” she adds. “The atrocities are immense—over 35 years we’ve seen the animals decline at an alarming rate.” During that time the elephant population has been reduced by 50 percent worldwide. Through their photography, the Jouberts have made it their mission to protect the remaining animals and combat those stark numbers by raising awareness with beautiful film and photography. —KP

This article originally appeared in the Canoeroots Summer/Fall 2016 issue.

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Navigating The Tricky Waters Of A Successful Whitewater Shuttle

By

Neil Schulman

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August 17, 2016

Dave glares at me. Chris rolls his eyes. My sprayskirt is at the take-out, Dave’s gear is piled on the ground and I just locked his keys and phone in his car. The three of us are instructors, but we can’t get our act together for a short run down the White Salmon River. At least no students are witnessing our incompetence at arranging this whitewater shuttle.

“I think we're going to make it!” | Photo: Scott MacGregor

9 Rules For Driving Shuttle On Your Next Paddling Trip

Navigating the tricky waters of a successful whitewater shuttle

Shuttles are my Achilles heel and I know I’m not alone. Keys get left in cars. Take-out vehicles have no straps. Gear gets lost. Adults squash into kids’ car seats. No amount of paddling experience or number of graduate degrees seems to help.

Even technology has hung us out to dry. For decades I simply hid a spare key on my car and tossed my keys in the trunk. But in the era of electronic smart keys, I’ve got an expensive gizmo that automatically unlocks my car if I do that. And if it gets wet I won’t be able to drive home.

Google, please save me now. | Feature photo: Ryan Creary

A test of patience, planning and people skills

Shuttles put human nature’s flaws on public display. Machiavellian freeloaders concoct plans that somehow always place themselves riverside and drinking beer while others drive (assuming the beer ended up in the correct vehicle). Inattentive paddlers plop soaking posteriors onto nice leather seats, or, conversely, OCD new car owners fret over each grain of sand in their trunk. Some people take an hour to change clothes. Others offend locals by stripping down in the parking lot. Every once in a while a Lord-of-the-Flies-type shocks us all and simply heads for home from the take-out.

Even exotic shuttles are fraught. Anyone who’s run Utah’s Stillwater Canyon knows that the only way out is a jetboat up the Colorado. Jetbacks beat driving, but it’s disconcerting to ascend a river in two hours that took a week to descend with the current. Bush-plane shuttles, a staple of the far north, require extra rations in case weather delays your flight out. One friend, eager to see his dear wife after a long solo trip in the Arctic, spent an entire week waiting for weather to clear.

[ Plan your next fly-in adventure with the Paddling Trip Guide ]

Truly the worst are the really long drives. Shuttles on Idaho’s Salmon River take 12 hours. It’s one thing to spend quality time on the river with someone. Being wedged next to them in a van, unshowered and inhaling the fragrance of their neoprene booties for the same amount of time it takes to fly to China is another thing entirely. Groups that act like Nobel Peace Prize winners through weeks of stressful whitewater can fall to bickering on long shuttles home.

car with two kayaks driving on scenic route

The Dreaded Driverless Shuttle For Paddling Trips

No driver required?

For relief from the perpetual shuttle scourge, I look to Google. All this brouhaha will be rendered moot when our self-driving cars can drop us off at the put-in and drive themselves to the take-out. They’ll scan our retinas or recognize our voices and we won’t ever have to worry about lost or waterlogged keys. Heck, after the car automatically fires up the butt warmers and turns towards the Interstate, we can nap all the way home.

Neil Schulman lives in Portland, Oregon, where he’s impatiently awaiting the self-driving shuttle revolution.

Cover of the Summer/Fall 2016 issue of Rapid magazine This article was first published in the Summer/Fall 2016 issue of Rapid Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

Google, please save me now. | Feature photo: Ryan Creary

Review: Spade Kayaks’ First River Runner

By

Dan Caldwell

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August 17, 2016

To call a spade a spade is to tell it like it is. Some people might be offended by this straight talk and consider you rude, but I usually like to lay all my cards on the table. So what is my initial assessment of the Ace of Spades from German start-up Spade Kayaks? If I were heading out on a class II or class V run in this boat I’d come back smiling.

The Ace is the first offering from Spade Kayaks, a small company made up of five paddlers turned entrepreneurs (read more about this well-known quintet on page 38). Currently the Ace is offered in only one size, though a smaller version is in the works, and with three different outfitting options—Basic, Whitewater and Pro.

I got my hands on the Pro version, which features a beefy middle rail to keep the hull rigid and a footrest that is extremely comfortable and takes up all the space in the bow to prevent any issues with a foot getting caught. The bow also contains the frontbone, an alternative to a foam front pillar, that makes the cockpit stiffer and gives you lots of room.

The seat is comfortable with easy-to-add Velcro foam shims on the hip pads and a rope and cleat system, similar to Jackson Kayak, to adjust the backband. The cleats face the paddler, meaning you pull the rope towards you to tighten it. I found I couldn’t get things as tight quite as easily as the Jackson system but I still like it more than most traditional ratcheting systems.

On the water, the Ace feels sleek and more compact than it looks. Its smooth rocker profile keeps the bow and stern up for quick spinning and clear of any boils and grabby eddylines when in bigger water. Putting it over on edge you can zip around the river and carve deep in and out of eddies with speed. Beginners will love that you don’t need to edge very far to get that responsiveness out of the Ace and that it has rock solid secondary stability. Even though I can carve with ease, the edges don’t feel grabby like some flat-bottomed play boats.

This gives me even more confidence in harder whitewater as well as those runs where I want to slide off, over and around lots of rocks. With all the design features that make this boat maneuverable and agile it does give up a bit of speed. While the Ace certainly isn’t a slow boat, I doubt it will be on top of the podium for many downriver races where longer, less rockered boats tend to dominate.

The Ace is manufactured using a blow molding technique. Spade claims that this makes for a lighter and stiffer hull that is more durable than the more common rotomolding techniques. It does feel very stiff. I didn’t piton into rocks to test durability.

The Ace is a boat that beginners will be able to grow with and take skills to the next level with confidence. The expert paddler who pushes class V will also love the quick and snappy ability to rip into eddies and work down a rock-choked creek. I hope Spade expands their lineup because they’ve certainly dealt a winner with this kayak— it’s one of the best all-round boats I’ve paddled in a while.

This article originally appeared in the Rapid Summer/Fall 2016 issue.

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