Discover the expert in you.
Presented by Bruce Lessels
Whitewater kayaking or canoeing is fun and exciting, but if you don't know how to read a river or you don't bring the right safety gear and follow proper safety guidelines, it can be a dangerous sport. Learn how to read a river and get general whitewater kayaking and canoeing safety tips in this free online instructional video series.
Series Summary
In this series of free instructional videos you'll get expert advice on whitewater canoeing from a true professional in the field. Bruce Lessels offers tips on basic river safety, how to organize a canoeing party by size, paddle signals and essential safety gear. You'll learn about the various types of rapids, common features of rivers, how to use certain obstacles to your advantage and how to avoid others, as well as how to exit a canoe. Bruce also gives you tips on swimming in whitewater if you do turn over, and how to rescue a capsized canoeist as well. Don't get caught upstream without these essential canoeing safety tips.
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High water levels can make rivers much more dangerous. Learn how river water levels affect whitewater kayaking and canoeing in this free online instructional video lesson.
Learn how to get around rocks and other obstacles to avoid when whitewater canoeing in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.
If you flip your kayak or canoe and have to exit the boat and swim toward shore, avoid foot entrapments and use an aggressive or defensive swimming position. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.
Throw ropes, folding knives, and whistles are some of the basic safety gear to bring when whitewater kayaking or canoeing in groups. Learn more about safety equipment in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.
When whitewater kayaking or canoeing in groups, designate a lead boat to go first and a sweep boat to go second and carry the first aid kit. Learn more basic safety tips in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.
If you flip in a solo canoe, it's possible to roll back upright. Learn how to do a roll in a solo whitewater canoe in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.
When whitewater kayaking or canoeing, scouting from shore can help you get a feel for the rapids and hazards coming up. Learn how to scout a river from shore in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.
Rescue a capsized canoe using tow tethers or other boats. Learn how in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.
Eddy lines and wave trains are some of the basic river features that you'll need to read when whitewater kayaking or canoeing. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.
Whitewater rapids are classified according to their level of difficulty. Learn about the different classifications and types of whitewater river rapids in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.
When your whitewater canoe has flipped and you can't roll up, exit by tucking forward. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.
Holes, pillows and strainers are some of the basic river features that you'll need to read when whitewater kayaking or canoeing. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.
Rivers can be dangerous for kayakers who haven't developed good 'river judgment.' Learn basic whitewater kayaking and canoeing safety tips and river reading strategies in this free online instructional video lesson.
Scouting a river is an art that takes practice. Learn basic river reading strategies for whitewater kayaking or canoeing plus get tips on eddy hopping in this free online instructional video lesson.
Work together with other paddlers and keep your priorities straight when rescuing a canoeist in whitewater river rapids. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.
Use paddle signals developed by the American Whitewater Association to communicate with other boaters when whitewater kayaking or canoeing. Learn basic paddle signals in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.
