Whitewater rafters and kayaks are known for their own language. When you first take part in rafting and kayaking, it is easy to feel intimidated because of your misunderstanding of the jargon. Below is a list of key terms that you will need on the river. The list is not exhaustive, but will give you a great source to start sounding, as if you know what you are talking about.
CFS (i.e. flow) - CFS means “cubic feet per second” and is the method of choice for describing the flow of water in a river. Flow is measured by calibration stations established by the US Geological Survey (USGS). A cubic foot is roughly equal to the size of a basketball, so if the river is operating at a speed of 30,000 cubic feet, each second skips about 30,000 basketball points.
Class - River stretch marks and their respective thresholds are usually described by a system of classes, with 1 being the easiest and 6 irreversible. Some large rivers in the west use a rating system of 1-10. The ranking of thresholds is subject to and based on the experience of boats, the water level, the consequences should be something, the type of ship and many other factors. To determine the class, see Recommendations and knowledgeable boats.
dump truck - When everyone falls out of the boat, but the boat stays upright.
Eddie - When the water flowing downstream, faces an obstacle like a stone, the channel will move around it, creating an empty space behind the object. The river will flood this area with an upstream stream directly behind it, creating an eddie. Eddies are fantastic tools because they can keep you out of the current, provide gentle water to rest or cope with an emergency, and can even help turn your boat into great rapids. “Eddie out” means to leave the main current and enter the eddie to stop or slow the boat.
Eddie fence - When the water flowing downstream, faces the flow of water upstream, it creates a vortex fence (also known as the Eddie Line). Usually they have strange currents, and very powerful wings can even turn the boats. Keep in mind that a swimmer can be made into a fence, causing them to move down or deeper into the river channel.
somersault - When the boat capsizes. You can make a dry flip, where you jump out of the boat when it rolls over, and you manage to land on the bottom of the inverted boat without getting into the water. It takes perfect time and great luck.
Flood - Each river part is different depending on how steep it is, such as rapids, the ground it cuts through, and the flow. A small stream, surrounded by the high walls of the canyon, may be at the stage of flooding when it works on 1000 cubic meters. Feet, and a big river, like the Mississippi, which passes through a swamp, can fly over a million cubic feet without pulsation. Know the level of the partition in which you are working, and which stream is recommended to run.
angular - A feature that is particularly unpleasant, as in the case, "wow, that the giant keeper hole is harsh."
Hole - Holes are the most notorious traits in rivers. Like a whirlwind, when a river flows over a rock or other obstruction, water rushes to fill the space immediately behind the object. This creates a hydraulic system. Holes can be very small or the size of a house, and can often turn over boats. There are several different types of holes:
- Flush hole — The flush hole pushes water toward the bottom edge of the hydraulic system and usually does not hold you.
- Keeper Hole - The keeper hole has a flush of water in the center of the hole from its edges. It may contain a swimmer or boat for a long period of time and can be extremely dangerous.
- Ledge Hole - a hole for a ledge is a special feature created by an obstacle with a sharp drop on the side downstream. They are usually holes for firing and can resemble flat dams.
side - A wave or hole that is at an angle to the current. This can be confusing for new boats, because you need to be at an angle to the current to get into this head.
pile “The pile is a white, frothy mess on the crest of a wave.” If you want to surf, look for a wave with a big pile to make it easier to stay in the trough.
pillow - Formed by water, pushing to the obstacle, creating a mound.
Fall of the pool - The type of river, where the rapids are spread far enough that in addition to a large pool of flat waters located below the rapids. These pools are a great place to recover if something goes wrong.
Putin - In the paths begins the trip to the river.
Rdtfm - "Right down Friggin." How boatmen can describe the proposed route through the quick.
River left / river - The sides of the river are determined by the boatman standing downstream in the main course, on the right - on the right. The bottom current is always based on the main current. If you swim upstream in a vortex (i.e., oppose the main current), the right and right rivers do not change.
Cock tail - When water flows over a stone or obstacle with a sharp point on top, it can drop this peak, creating a splash resembling a rooster's tail. Finding them with a scout can be a great way to determine where you don’t want to be, as they provide a good marker when you are in a fast situation.
scout - Before you start quickly, you can first look at it. This is called a scout. Pull your boat to one side of the river and go downstream to find a good overview of the fast. Look for where the current is pushing, big obstacles to skip, and a few plans in case the first one doesn't work.
surf “If the hole or wave is strong enough, he can hold the boat in his gutter for a long period of time.” This can occur passively if you are unexpectedly prohibited in the hydraulic system. When it happens actively, it can be one of the most interesting aspects of river running. Kayakirs especially like to surf and call it a game. Experienced kayakers can use water to do flips, 360 turns and other stunts.
screed “A filter is all that water passes, but a person (or boat, or other object) does not. It can be low hanging branches or bushes on the side of the river, natural dams, snags and clusters of stones. Filters are extremely dangerous and should always be avoided.
T-up - To get into the hole, wave, or laterally at a perpendicular angle. When you hit an obstacle only with your nose or stern, there is a smaller surface area to create resistance. On the other hand, strikes at them in width give an obstacle a lot more of your boat to oppose, and you are more likely to turn it over.
Win “Conclusion is the way the river ends.” The output is always downstream (no, the boat does not work on the tracks).
Language - A language is a sleek "v", which usually represents the quietest way for quick entry.
Wave “The wave is the best cousin of the hole.” It can be formed over the hole when the water is high enough, or only from changes in the gradient in the bottom of the river. As the water flows through an underwater obstacle creating a wave, it accelerates. When it hits the low water below, it creates a wave.
Wrap - When the ship is tied to the object. Often, a cable system or air release from the pipes is required to pull the boat out.
Knowing these terms will help you feel more active when you learn a concrete raft or kayak. You can also do research on terminology directly related to boats and the safety mechanism. Like all activities, the sky is the ultimate knowledge you can use to go boating. Now that you are talking about jargon, you can begin to learn more complex aspects of the sport.
