Waterfalls Part 2 - Freefall Skills

Kayaking waterfalls is one of the most feared, respected, and oddly underestimated feats you can do in whitewater kayaking. It blows my mind how many people step up to their first waterfalls with little more than a roll and some courage. The purpose of this video series is to get you started on the right track. (Please keep reading below)
In addition to the tips described in this video, I strongly recommend practicing to find what works best for you on smaller waterfalls before trying to step it up to larger ones. Only step up in small increments and don't assume this is all inclusive information for making waterfall kayaking safe. The reality is that even though we minimize risk by practicing skills and setting appropriate safety, waterfall running is never truly safe. There are many more skills and technical details that I did not include in this video. Gradually practice on waterfalls before stepping up to bigger ones, and always be conservative when assessing your own skills. Never run waterfalls without proper equipment, safety, access, or practice and please huck responsibly!
This is an introduction to waterfall freefall techniques.

[@kayakcroatia]

High quality content

[@CleanLineKayaking]

Stoked you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@mathieuouellette2049]

I appreciated the part about relative speed approching a lip. It helps understanding and visualizing timing also. Thanks for your help.

[@CleanLineKayaking]

thanks for checking it out. I’m glad it helped!

[@ustotz]

You explain a lot and very well about waterfalls.
I never went beyond 6 meters because I lacked that information. A waterfall is the wrong place for trial and error.
Really nice how you convey that - thank you very much!

[@randyskelding993]

Great video - The "old way" of leaning back with paddle above you head (so you don't lose teeth) is totally changed with a lot of technique and control and as usual you explain this well. Some of your earlier videos were equally enlightening and emphasized the right things to learn and bad habits to unlearn.

[@optionstrader4624]

Thank you for all of this content... This is something no one has touched on especially in this kind of deatil... I practice the lock in eveytine I'm in squirley water and it works like a charm... I'd love to see a detailed vid on turning using the bow draw... I've watched numerous vids of experienced Whitewater yakers use it but no one has a tutorial on it... Seems to be a much more efficient way of making quick adjustments than just dropping the paddle in and slightly back stroking

[@CleanLineKayaking]

thanks!! I haven't found it out there either. The danger with a bow draw or stern draw on waterfalls is that both can send you flat really fast on big drops. I've used the bow draw technique on waterfalls, but it seems to add too much energy even when done quietly. When waterfalls get tall, holding a stationary stroke and a bit of a reverse stroke works better to correct without accidentally getting launched forward away from curtain. That said, there's a clip or two in there where I cautiously did add a bit of bow draw at the lip, but it's never been as smooth as the reverse stroke

[@randyskelding993]

The 'lock in' has helped me a lot. I am an old C1 boater getting back into a kayak. The lock-in is a kayak nuance and it has helped me stay in control in funny water.

[@benjamindbailey]

Ran my first waterfalls today. Much smaller than what you run, but it was still a good day. Thanks for the video!

[@CleanLineKayaking]

awesome! 🤙🏻 Thanks for watching!!

[@Melourn]

I love how you throw in all the reasoning behind why you make certain moves and decisions. I had not even considered the "belly-flop" as an outcome. I noticed that you said that you can tuck too early, but you didn't elaborate much on that. On my way to Part 3 now to see if it's mentioned there. Great stuff! Keep them coming!

[@CleanLineKayaking]

slowly finding all your comments haha... the tendency most paddlers have when learning to tuck on taller waterfalls, is that they tuck all the way at the top. It's a bit counterintuitive, but tucking forward too early works just like leaning back, both send you landing on your head. The only reason that's bad is because your bow can hit a rock behind the curtain of the waterfall or if it's a taller drop it can be a painful ejection from the kayak and send you straight to the bottom. Hopefully that 'How to Boof' video served you well though

[@Greekandsleek]

Awesome video as always Boyd. I’ve been thinking a lot about the whole chicken wing concept lately and what it’s true use is, which led me to this video. At 4:09 you mention it, saying it helps give leverage/control on your descent on boofs. Correct me if I’m wrong, do you mean that it’s helps lift the bow some? Or is it used to stomp the bow? Or is it simply a method that helps keep your body over the center and the paddle away from face? Thank you for the content!

[@CleanLineKayaking]

The short answer is both… chicken wings puts your body in a stronger position for core engagement. Core engagement is what you need to control boat angle when stomping the bow down or lifting it while boofing. You can feel the difference while sitting… engage your core (feel your abs and obliques) while seated arms down, arms to the side, then with chicken wings (keep your hands below your elbows and wrist turned down)… you’ll feel a lot more core engagement and control. From there, you can push your feet down or lift your knees up, unhinge at your hips or hinge forward stronger. It’s about angle control.
Gotta be careful of your face though… there’s definitely a time to move your paddle to the side, especially if you’re on something big enough to take a hit. 🤙🏻