C-Forum

I'm more of a river runner, less of a play boater. Just purchased a new Esquif
Zoom, and tried it out on the Ocoee last Sunday. Loved the boat; the primary
(in)stability was a little unnerving at first, but by the end of the day, I was feeling
pretty comfortable with it. However, holes are going to be a problem . I'm coming
out of a Dagger Ocoee, and could bridge or punch holes in it that are really
grabbing this shorter boat.

I didn't really get stuck in any hole on the river, but I could definitely feel the
stern getting caught and pulled back, which is making me hesitant about taking
the boat on bigger water. What should I be doing to better get through the hole?

I have boat outfittted so that my weight is dead center. I suspect that I may have
gotten into a habit of leaning back to raise the bow when hitting the hole (to avoid
taking on water). Any advice? Especiallly from you c-1 paddlers who must have
an even bigger problem with even shorter boats.

I don't have a Zoom, but I paddle a Prelude which is very similar.
I found that the key in punching holes in it is enough forward momentum and leaning aggressively forward. If I do that then I am usually o.k.

If you do get stuck in a hole (provided it's not too thrashy and you remain somewhat in control ), I usually let it fill up with some water to weigh it down (most of the time I am in a side surf by now) and then spin it into a backsurf, while leaning back to get the stern to grab the green water going into the hole and simultaneously putting in a forward stroke. This has gotten me out of holes a number of times, but doing that I flip often and have to roll afterwards.

I actually like short boats like the Prelude better than big ones like the Rival I paddled before in big water, as they take on less water and are more stable and maneuvrable when full.

An electric bailing pump definitely helps for running big water, keeps your boat drier and you don't have to get to shore as often.

hope this helps

martin

Can you tell us which particular holes on the Ocoee you are getting stuck in? I can't place any on that river that should be slowing you that badly unless you are going directly through them on purpose.

One technique for punching holes is to load up (or take your power stroke on the fast incoming or green water) just before you hit the hole. You might want to use a little angle to help you deflect one way or the other as you go through them as well. Take your next stroke as soon as possible after hitting the hole to help you carry your momentum through. I see a lot of people hesitate or brace right away which is a huge mistake, usually leading to sidesurfing, thrashing or swimming.

One other item of note is the fact that the Esquif and some other boats have a very bulbous round nose that plows when it hits the oncoming water. Your Ocoee and similar boats have a more defined point on the ends which tends to slice through the oncoming water.
Hope this helps!
Craig

those silly little boats love the holes dont they? two good ways ive found to avoid them . . .

"take the cheat . . . or go for the meat!"

on ledge holes (like the final one at broken nose) which can pull you right back in, you can boof over them by leaning back a little and lifting the bow with your knees. give a big stroke, and . . . this can be really fun! key is not letting your bow get encumbered or slowed down.

or if the hole is not jump-able (like hades hole or witches hole or grumpys) then the time-honored method of punching is the way to go. give a big stroke and throw your weight forward like a linebacker
later
AB

I have had the same experiance. I use a Spanish FLy and a converted Dagger GTX. It seems to be a bigger problem in the C-boat. The advise from some of the other replies is correct. Keep up the speed and be agressive throughout the rapid.

Thanks for all the posts so far.

Just to clarify: it's not the holes on the Ocoee I'm concernced about. I'm so
familiar with that river that I could miss every hole if I wanted. Last week I
was hitting them on purpose -- trying to get a feel for the boat. I punched
Broken Nose just fine, I was just surprised at how sticky it felt. Even Surprise
Ledge (just above Table Saw) held the boat a little longer than I thought it
would (now that I think about it, I was probably taking that little hole too lightly
and was not paddling aggressively enough -- but that was what I was used to).
The hole at the bottom of Cat's Pajamas had me for lunch. I hit it and flipped
before I knew what was happening (but was the only flip of the day).

What's really got me concerned are holes on other rivers, with bigger water.

I'm thinking that the proper way to do this is sort of a combination of several
suggestions above. Take a hard stroke in the green water at the top of the
hole and lean back (to lift the bow). A split second after the bow hits the hole,
lean forward, and take another hard stroke, preferably in the foam on the
downstream side of the hole. Does this sound right? Will it reasonably work?

And the mention of the bulbous nose of the Zoom is right on. The Dagger
Ocoee would slice through the downstream face (and take on water), but
the Zoom tends to ride up. Maybe this is more the source of my disomfort than
I reallized. It could be that the bow is riding up so high, it just feels like the
stern is sticking.