How to ferry - Whitewater 101

[@Chompchompyerded]

This should be required watching for all new kayakers. It would save a lot of people a lot of grief.

[@MatthewBrookKayaking]

Thank you! That's really encouraging to hear! Well, if you know any beginners, feel free to pass it on - all shares are welcome!

[@simonwyndham]

I've tried explaining the idea of keeping the hull flatter to people for years after my mind was blown by Simon Westgarth the first time I was coached by him. Mostly I get blank looks!

[@MatthewBrookKayaking]

Yeah, it's such a commonly miss-taught element of the skill. My favourite way of highlighting it to people is the question: "what are edges for?" People usually start to get it once they've established edges are for turning!

[@MarkFitzptrk]

I have the same problem, its annoying though when you have people that have been paddling for years and teaching, hearing that this is how they teach it!!! as a newer paddler people doubt you when you try to explain why it is wrong! however as Matt says below if you ask what rails and edges are for there are some hallelujah moments with some!!!!

[@MatthewBrookKayaking]

@@MarkFitzptrk so true. Sometimes hard to break through to people, but so worth it when you finally do. Keep it up!

[@simonwyndham]

@@MatthewBrookKayaking might be good to do one debunking myths about entering eddies, such as clubs teaching to always enter at the top, ‘hooking’ into the eddy or ‘whipping around’ rather than going deep into the eddy to create room for your mates etc. Each time I read a review of a boat that says it ‘whips’ around into eddies I just know they are entering without control. Sorry, you’ve got me started now! I just don’t think enough people understand that any skills they have, if they intend to progress, needs to work on stronger white water as well as weak. Being able to keep the momentum going deep into eddies and knowing when and when not to use edges transfers so well to navigating rapids with flow (ie alpine style runs, s-turning behind rocks and straight back out, dealing with micro currents etc)

[@MatthewBrookKayaking]

@@simonwyndham absolutely. That sounds like a good idea for a series: "Whitewater De-bunked". I've got a soap-box to jump on for debunking boofs - it's not some mystic art, just good forward paddling - so I think this could work! Haha

[@bigpow101]

Great instructional clip thanks.

[@MarkFitzptrk]

loving the vids Matt, excellent stuff so far!!! now to try the tomahawk!!!!!!

[@MatthewBrookKayaking]

Heck yes! Give it a whirl! Once you break through that initial fear-barrier, they're fairly ok! Haha

[@EdDaveKayaking]

Great tips Matt.

[@MatthewBrookKayaking]

Thanks guys. Your consistent support means a lot!

[@milesdyson5912]

nice ending :)