Mar 27 2012
Stand Up Paddling down Waterfalls!
You have to choose your waterfalls very carefully when paddling a SUP. You want the falls to be near vertical and not too tall. The drop in these pictures is about 14 feet tall.
With these sliding drops it is very important to not use the skegs. Either turn the board around backwards or choose a board with removable skegs.
Foot placement should be in the Kung Fu stance so you have maximum stability. I have also tried surfer stance and it worked fairly well.
Your weight has to stay moving with the board. If you are too far back the board will kick up and leave you in the landing. Too far forward and it will sub out and become very unstable.
If you can get in a big stroke for the landing it will help to keep you connected to the board. A change in velocity is what causes falls, whether it be the board or rider.
The downtime was pretty heavy on this drop. I actually fell after the board resurfaced. A board with a little more rocker will keep me from going so deep the next time.
At Kayak Huasteca we use Imagine Rapidfire boards and Werner paddles. All can be Purchased at CKS.
See you on the river…
Aaron