Page 118 - 2022-08-01 Paddling Magazine

WHITEWATER

THE LIST
Danger Zone

Eight of the worst whitewater myths, according to pros

That you don’t need to learn certain basic skills Being a class which-ever-number paddler. There That you are safer in a group. A group can also give
because “you won’t need them .” Learn to get in is no such thing as being a class V boater. Some you a feeling of safety which makes you either fuck
or out of your kayak in hard places, learn to hand days you can run class V, some days you can’t. up more or push harder than you should. You find
roll well, practice surfing out of features, and learn —Nouria Newman out real fast where you stand if you go up ahead.
how to catch harder eddies. Every bit of skill you —Mariann Saether
add makes you safer on the water.
—Dane Jackson Every myth is there for a reason. The danger-
ous part is how many people try to convince you The most dangerous myth is people think it’s
something is a bad idea. At the end of the day, a game for young people. I got into whitewa-
If you can’t spit, you shouldn’t run it. if you and the crew want to give it a try, then it’s ter when I was 30 and, at 47, I am running class
—Benny Marr worth going for. V consistently. Last year, I competed for my first
—Mike Dawson time at both North Fork Championship and the
Green Race. I have students who started kayaking
in their 50s and students in their 70s who con-
“Waterfalls are easy; you just tuck up and fall off the thing!” Waterfalls are the most dangerous discipline tinue to run class III. It’s never too late.
of kayaking. The tiniest mistake can be the difference between a perfect line and a broken back. I have —Melissa DeMarie
unfortunately learned this lesson twice, and I am not keen on learning it again.
—Brooke Hess

“You can only run it blind once.”

The statement might be true,

but it’s dangerous. Don’t be
ashamed to get out and scout.

—Nick Troutman

MYTH (NOUN): 1) AN UNFOUNDED
OR FALSE NOTION. 2) A COLLEAGUE
WHO REGULARLY VANISHES DURING
OFFICE HOURS. AS IN, “HAS ANYONE
SEEN BILLY? HE IS A SUCH A MYTH.”
PHOTO: DANIEL STEWART

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