With the arrival of the Umkomaas racing season, the lovers of bigwater racing in K1s and K2s are emerging from the shadows, and relishing the thrills of tackling the likes of the Umko and Tugela, with heavy summer rains all but guaranteeing an adrenaline-chasing ride through the holes and stoppers. So, for the eager newcomer to big water racing, here are some tips…
Hit it in the Centre, Mr Venter.
The single biggest mistake that bigwater novices make is to try and dodge the waves and holes, by trying to take a sneak-line inside of the waves. All too often, this takes you across the fast moving water into slower water or eddies, and is a brilliant recipe for being spun out.
Go where the water goes. Follow the current, and try to hit each wave or hole at a perfect 90 degree angle, to avoid being buffeted sideways, instead of punching through the waves.
Warp speed, Captain Kirk!
Never lose your boat speed. Especially in those long wide rapids on the Tugela that can go on for kilometres, the minute you start travelling slower than the water (and you know that big water can really send it!), you become driftwood, flotsam and jetsam. So don't be surprised to be treated as such by the river.
Instead, make a committed effort to keep your stroke rate up throughout the rapid, from above the approaches to the end of the eddy pools.
It's easier in a K2, where the onus rests on the back seat paddler to provide the power to keep the boat speed up. But at all costs, keep moving ahead of the water, otherwise you'll drift across the lines of the rapid, hit the waves sideways, and your rudder will feel like it isn't even there any more.
Keep the boat dry.
All the small tricks that contribute towards keeping the boat dry make a big difference when you are being swamped by a succession of big waves. Insulate the edges of the cockpit with foam - the best is the adhesive tape type you can buy from hardware stores to seal doors.
Pull your splashcover as high up your torso as it comfortably allows, to make sure there is no pooling around your back and legs. Splashies do leak! Especially older ones (that you might love dearly), but replacing it for bigwater races pays handsome dividends.
Get good pumps into your boat. Two whale pumps or the like, will provide ample entertainment for the backseat paddler in case of boredom.
Consider wearing a cool but water tight paddling top over your splashcover and under your lifejacket. This acts as a great seal to the splashcover on your torso, preventing water from getting in through the top of your splashcover. In really big water, a lot of the old dogs will wear two splashies to keep water out of the boat.
Be stable - and able.
There is no compromise for stability in big water. You will need all your energy to keep the boat going steady and straight, so you can't afford any energy wasted on twitching on a boat that feels uncomfortable or unstable.
Don't be afraid to gear down a model or two for a tough big water race. It's notable that if a multiple SA champion takes to a big river in a Foxbat, then it stands to reason, that anyone other than the real hotshots should be in Foxies or better still Accords. It will not be any slower! And it will make the race a lot more enjoyable!
Enjoy!