Picking The Line

What makes a good 'line' when you're navigating through a rapid? Is it the safest route, the most challenging route, the route that gets you the sickest photo anyone's ever seen?

Really, it could be any of those (or even other reasons), but it's probably fair to say that for most of us, the best line is the safest way to get the sickest pictures and have the most fun!

Keep a few things in mind when you're choosing your line, either from above in the water or on the bank while scouting :

POWER OF THE CURRENT: Many times the best way through a rapid is taking the line of least resistance, that is, where most of the water is rushing through. Since water itself takes the path of least resistance, it makes sense that the safest route would be where the water is flowing the easiest.

However, many times the flow can be partly constricted halfway through a rapid by a logjam or backed up by a deadly sieve, so be sure you check your line all the way through the end of the rapid!

Another potential danger of just going through the meat of the rapid is that many times this is where the worst hydraulic is located. If the hydraulic looks too nasty to get through safely, consider portaging or the next option, the sneak route.

SNEAK ROUTE: The sneak route is just that, a line through the rapid that avoids the main flow and may not be all that visible at first glance.

Many times in large rapids there will be a large, powerful channel which makes up the main flow, and then several other more shallow, boulder choked pathways as well. The beauty of being on a riverboard comes into play here, as these are routes that a raft could never take, and maybe not even a kayak. But on your board, you may be able to navigate your way down.

Be very careful that your sneak route is not so sneaky that it diverts you into an inescapable 'room' or some other dangerous place. Make sure that you can clearly see a path through the boulders from beginning to end, and that it is wide enough and deep enough to navigate.

And really, the only times you'll want to consider a sneak are if it's safer than the main part of the rapid, or it's more fun! Otherwise, just pick a good line through the meat of the flow.

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