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Whitewater Rafting and Paddling Glossary: Essential Terms

A handy guide for need-to-know jargon

Written by Will Moore
Updated over a year ago

Here's a list of terminology commonly used in whitewater rafting and paddling sports:

A

  1. Aft: The rear or back section of a boat or raft.

  2. Aggressive Swimming: A technique used by paddlers to swim aggressively toward a target (e.g., an eddy) while in the water.

  3. Air Bladder: An inflatable bag or cushion used to provide buoyancy or support in kayaks or rafts.

B

  1. Back Ferry: A paddling maneuver used to move a raft or kayak backward across a current or eddy.

  2. Bailer: A container used to remove water from a raft or kayak, typically a handheld pump or bucket.

  3. Bow: The front or forward section of a boat or raft.

C

  1. CFS (Cubic Feet per Second): A measurement of the flow rate of water in a river, used to describe its current strength.

  2. Casting: Paddling strokes used to maneuver a boat or raft.

  3. Cockpit: The seating area of a kayak, where the paddler sits.

E

  1. Eddy: A calm, slower-moving area of water typically found behind rocks or obstacles in a river.

  2. Eddy Line: The boundary between fast-moving current and an eddy.

F

  1. Ferry Angle: The angle at which a boat or kayak crosses a river or current to reach the other side.

  2. Fiberglass: A common material used in kayak and paddle construction due to its lightweight and durable properties.

  3. Flush Drowning: A danger in whitewater where a person is swept underwater and carried downstream without resurfacing.

H

  1. Hydraulic (Hole or Stopper): A turbulent area in a river where water recirculates, often caused by a submerged obstacle.

I

  1. Inflatable: A type of kayak or raft that can be inflated for use and deflated for transport and storage.

J

  1. J-Hook Stroke: A paddling stroke used to turn a kayak quickly by pulling the paddle in a J-shaped pattern.

P

  1. Put-In: The starting point for a paddling trip or rafting adventure.

  2. Portage: The act of carrying a kayak or raft over land to bypass an obstacle or unrunnable section of a river.

  3. PFD (Personal Flotation Device): A life jacket or buoyancy aid worn by paddlers for safety.

R

  1. Rapid: A fast-flowing, turbulent section of a river with various classifications (e.g., Class I, Class III, etc.) based on difficulty.

  2. Roll: A technique used by kayakers to right themselves after capsizing by using their paddle and body movements.

S

  1. Sweep Stroke: A wide, sweeping paddle stroke used for turning a kayak or raft.

  2. Strainer: A submerged obstacle, such as tree branches, that can trap objects and pose a hazard in a river.

  3. Surfing: The act of paddling a kayak or raft into a stationary position in a hydraulic, allowing it to ride the wave.

  4. Swiftwater: The fast-moving, turbulent part of a river, often associated with challenging conditions.

T

  1. Throw Bag: A rescue tool consisting of a rope in a bag, used to throw to someone in the water for rescue purposes.

  2. Tubing: A recreational activity involving floating down a river in an inflatable inner tube.

  3. Tuck: A kayaking technique where the paddler leans forward and tucks to avoid obstacles or to enter a hydraulic more safely.

Always prioritize safety and seek proper training and guidance when engaging in whitewater activities.

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