Table of Contents

CURRENTS,TIDAL OR RIVER

GROUP CONTROL AND SIGNALS

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

ACCESS

ENVIRONMENT

PLANNING

GROUP AWARENESS

REFERENCES

Currents, Tidal or River

EDDIES

Water running down a river will travel faster in the middle than at the riverside, where friction against the bank will slow it down. In a fast river there will be a distinct line between the two speeds of water. If you want to travel down a river you travel down the middle. If you need to paddle up the river (against the flow) you paddle close to the bank.

Any obstacle in the river will alter the direction of flow the obstacle can be boulders, the river bank itself, or fallen trees for example. Visible obstacles can be easily avoided but submerged obstacles are harder to spot.

Behind an obstacle,(on the downstream side) there will be a calm area of water. This is called an EDDY. In a slow moving river the eddy will have stationary water. In a fast moving river the eddy will flow upstream !. Eddies are used by canoeists as safe places to either rest, get out of the river or as a hopping point when paddling up the river.

STOPPERS

Where water drops over a ledge, natural or man made, the falling water goes below the surface, hits the water already over the ledge and bounces off it resurfacing again frothy and travelling upstream.This presents itself as a circular motion called a "stopper" and in heavy weather can trap the unwary canoeist in the backwash with obvious risk to health. This circular motion is in effect like a washing machine with a canoeist being washed indefinitely !!

BENDS

When a river goes round a bend in the river the main flow is round the outside of the bend. The water travels fastest and is deepest here, undercutting the bank and usually overhung with tree branches and exposed roots. The flow is slowest on the inside of the bend and the water is shallow as silt deposits. The outside run gives the most fun but must be treated with care in case of entrapment by fallen trees or low branches which ALWAYS results in a capsize.

RIVER GRADES

Grade 1

Easy - Occasional small rapids; correct course easy to find but care needed with obstacles, especially on narrow rivers.

Grade 2

Medium - fairly frequent rapids, usually with regular waves, easy eddies or whirlpools. Course generally easy to recognise.

Grade 3

Difficult rapids numerous and with fairly high irregular waves, broken water, course not always easily recognisable.

Grade 4

Very difficult - long and extended stretches of rapids with high irregular waves, difficult broken water, whirlpools and eddies. Course often difficult to see. Inspection from bank usually required.

Grade 5

Exceedingly difficult - long unbroken stretches of rapids with difficult water: Submerged rocks, very difficult eddies and whirlpools. Inspection always required.

Grade 6

Limit of difficulty - cannot be attempted without risk to life.

To use this guide effectively, you should remember that only general descriptions are offered. Grades of rapids obviously change depending on the water level. Note that rivers may rise by one or two grades under spate conditions - particularly when these are caused by melting snow or lots of rain.

CURRENTS IN THE SEA

WHAT CAUSES TIDES

Tides are caused by the gravitational forces exerted between the sun, the moon and the earth. There are 2 high tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes. That makes the time between low tide and high tide 6 hours and 12 minutes. It is very important in Scotland to know the direction of the tide before setting out on a trip in case you are paddling against it. On the West Coast, there are many areas where paddling against the tide is impossible. The coastline has many areas of shallow water where the tide greatly increases the speed of the water passing over it. These areas generate rip currents and tide races.

SPRING TIDES

The earth and moon are in orbit round the more powerful but more distant sun. At the times when the earth, moon and sun are in a straight line, at full and new moon, the gravitational force exerted on the waters of the earth is greater than usual and there is more water movement resulting in higher and lower tide ranges - these are called spring tides.

NEAP TIDES

At the times when the earth, moon and sun are out of alignment by 90°, at half and half moon, the gravitational force exerted on the waters of the earth is less than usual and there is less water movement resulting in lower tide ranges - these are called neap tides.

RIP CURRENTS

Any land mass will interfere with the speed and direction of the main tidal flow. The shape of the coastline will cause currents, races and overfalls which are of special interest to the canoeist. Close to land, the sea behaves like a giant river with main and subsidiary streams which a canoeist can use to advantage.

Return to Table of Contents.

GROUP CONTROL AND SIGNALS

Before shooting an unknown weir or rapid, you should :

1. Get information on it by asking other canoeists about it
2. Get out of the canoe and inspect it for the correct route down
3. Look for stoppers, holes or rocks that you may hit
4. Try and grade the rapid
5. If you think that it is above your ability then portage around it.

TO ATTRACT ATTENTION AT SEA YOU CAN :

1. Shout or blow whistle
2. Wave paddle with clothing tied to it
3. Set off an emergency flare.

It is important to stay together in a group when touring in case any of the party feels unwell and you may need to raft up or in case one of the party gets lost by being left behind, or capsizes and needs rescued.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Paddles

In modern kayaking 3 main types of paddle are in use.

The 3 main types of paddle in use are;

1. Slalom bladed paddles
2. Assymetric bladed paddles
3. Wing bladed paddles

Slalom paddle blades

These are flat, rectangular in shape and usually plastic construction with an alloy or fibreglass loom. They can take a lot of punishment and are used on rivers or with beginners.

Assymetric bladed paddles

These are usually lightly constructed from fibreglass and are spoon shaped across both the face of the blade and along the length of the blade. They also have an angle built in to the end of the blade as well. The spoon shape across the blade helps hold water beneath it so a powerful pull can be exerted on the blade by the paddler. The lengthwise spoon shape prevents splashing as the blade enters the water during each stroke. This assists in the power properties of the paddle. The angled bottom of the blade also allows the paddle to enter the water cleanly across the full face of the blade. This paddle is good for long distance paddling such as at sea where it is unlikely to be bashed against rocks etc.

Wing paddles

These are specially designed to be spoon shaped but have a lip at the outer edge of the blade. This lip gives the paddle a wing aerofoil shape and its purpose is to reduce splashing on paddle entry and also to make all the turbulence the blade makes happen at only one side of the paddle blade. This allows most of the paddlers efforts to be used pushing the kayak through the water instead of making bubbles etc. These blades require a special paddle style and are only used successfully in flat water such as for racing. They are made from very light but strong Carbon /Kevlar materials and as such cost an arm and a leg !

All three types will be seen in use at the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Club

Kayaks

There are hundreds of Kayak designs of all shapes and sizes on the market today. In Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Kayak Club you are most likely to paddle plastic River Kayaks or Sea Kayaks. There are also Racing Kayaks, Double and Multi seat Kayaks which provide a totally different aspect to paddling.

White water river kayaks

These are generally short in length, wide, stubby nosed and shaped like a banana. This design allows the boat to turn very quickly and responsively, and enables it to surf waves and "pop-out" easily. The shape makes this type of kayak slow in a straight line as the banana shape pushes a lot of water in front of it.

Sea Kayaks

These are fairly long slender kayaks with water tight compartments built in at front and rear accessed by hatches. They retain a small amount of the banana hull shape, are quite wide at the cockpit, and have a high bow and stern to keep the boat above waves on the sea. These kayaks are fairly difficult to turn quickly but are easy to paddle along at reasonable speeds over a long distance.

Racing Kayaks

These are designed to go fast and straight. They are very narrow, virtually no banana shape to the hull, are very narrow and are of very light construction. These kayaks are very fast but need a rudder to turn them and are extremely easy to capsize.

Personal Equipment

The importance of proper personal dress for canoeing cannot be stressed enough. In Scotland and indeed throughout the british isles, the water temperature is always cold enough to severely chill even in summer. Clothing should protect the body, keep it warm but not interfere with its movement.

A wetsuit

is a must in most circumstances where immersion is likely (Surf, White Water etc) . There are different thicknesses of material and the 3mm thickness is good enough for most applications in a kayak. A wetsuit is not windproof so a cagoule or overtrousers in times when stopped somewhere will help.

Buoyancy Aids

are the single most important piece of safety equipment a canoeist can have. It provides flotation in the event of a capsize, protection from impact by the surroundings and warmth by being another layer. To operate effectively it must be a good fit to the body and must be properly fastened or it can blind you as you slip through the middle once in the water.

A whistle

is a good idea to carry on your buoyancy aid to quickly alert others if you get into difficulty as it is more easily heard than a shout. There are several types available for the canoeist and personal preference comes into play. Club equipment is necessarily of the hardest wearing but not necessarily most comfortable type.

Crash helmets

are a must on white water/surf where there is a chance of injury off the riverbed or beach. Helmets have a hard outer shell and an inner helmet lining that is softer and supports the outer shell. This allows a good cushioning effect when hit by outside forces thus protecting the skull. The helmet is secured by a chin strap which should be regularily checked for damage before use.

Return to Table of Contents.

ACCESS

In this country there are few problems regarding access to paddlable water. However, there is mounting pressure upon the use of water due to growing paddler numbers Below is the Canoeist Code of Conduct which, if followed, will help minimise conflict with landowners etc.

1. ON THE RIVERBANK (or beach or lochside)
2. Obtain permission before using restricted water. Thank those responsible when you leave.
3. Try to avoid overcrowding one site.
4. Park cars sensibly. avoid overcrowding or obstructing narrow approach roads. Keep off verges, pay parking fees and use proper car parks where possible.
5. Don't spread yourself and your equipment so that you upset others.
6. Please keep the peace - Don't be too noisy.
7. Pick up litter. Close gates. Be careful about fires. Avoid damage to land or crops.
8. Obey special instructions such as National Trust Rules, local bye laws and regulations about camping and caravanning.
9. Changing into or out of paddling clothes in public places can unintentionally cause offense. (who wants to see your bottom anyway !) Please be considerate and discreet under these circumstances.

These rules are in use on :

• the Teith at the launch site in a car park.
• the clyde at the getout point as it is up a driveway
• on the Tay at both Stanley and Grandtully as both use carparks on the roadside (by a cafe at Grandtully)

Return to Table of Contents.

ENVIRONMENT

Canoeing is all about the environment.
You paddle to be in it, to enjoy it, to see it, for pleasure. So does everyone else !

It becomes a very busy place and with lunch stops, overnight camping and passers through, it can also become a very cluttered place.
It is very IMPORTANT that on arrival at a place be it a river bank or a beach, you make as little impact as possible and leave the spot as you found it.

The message is simple :

"Leave nothing but footprints;"
"Take nothing but memories "

PLANNING

As a member of a canoeing outing you, as a 2 star paddler, are expected to be self sufficient for your own needs during a trip. This entails having your own equipment (boat, paddle, buoyancy aid, spraydeck ) available at the riverside to take part in the trip. If using borrowed equipment you should ensure you have it booked and included on the trailer to the trip.
For a day trip you should carry in the boat with you sufficient food for the duration, a drink - Hot (a flask) in cold weather, a sweet as an emergency ration to keep energy levels up if delays occur. A basic first aid kit is worthwhile to deal with insect bites, cuts/grazes etc and means to keep it all dry in the event of a capsize.

A trip properly planned will take account of the people attending and will be geared to the weakest in order that everybody has a good time rather than a tedious slog followed by days recuperating. In this respect, distance is important.

Return to Table of Contents.

GROUP AWARENESS

It is essential as part of a group to always be aware of the other group members and where they are. If anybody gets into trouble, it is easily sorted when everybody is on hand to help. In a spread out group a capsized paddler may be missed altogether which is potentially much more serious.

In a close knit group helping paddlers in trouble is made easier if each paddler takes it in turn to help in a towing situation. A kind word in a distressed paddler's ear is often enough to keep their spirit up enough to continue.

Return to Table of Contents.

REFERENCES

Further information on the above subjects can be found in the BCU CANOEING HANDBOOK, the official handbook of the British Canoe Union. ISBN 0-9531956-5-1.
This book is available from the Scottish Canoe Association office www.scot-canoe.org or at a cost of £16.95 to anyone who uses http://www.amazon.co.uk.

Questions based on the theory notes above. Once you have read the question, thought of an answer, click the question to reveal the answer.

Questions based on the theory notes above.