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                       MyOAN! Paddling Jargon

   We want to provide you information on every buzzword, lingo, terms and
   the jargon you've ever wanted to know about paddling. If we are
   missing a definition or two email them to us so we can add them. The
   directions are simple - just click on the letter your suspect the term
   begins with and scroll from there.

           |A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z|
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A

   Amidships the area roughly in the center of the canoe lengthwise.
   Asymmetrical hull shape where the canoe or kayak's widest point (beam)
   is either aft or ahead of amidships.

B

   Bang Plate reinforcing plate made of abrasion-resistant material that
   protects the stems of a canoe from scapes and impact damage.
   Beam width of a canoe or kayak measured at its widest point.
   Bent-Shaft Paddle canoe paddle with a bend in the shaft, usually at
   the paddle's throat. This type of paddle gives increase efficiency
   (power), with minimal control loss, depending on the degree of bend in
   the paddle.
   Bilge transitional area where the hull's bottom turns uo into its
   sides (see Chine)
   Blade wide, flat area of a paddle, used for propulsion.
   Boil swirly or unpredictable currents pushing to the surface.
   Bony run or rapid requiring lots of maneuvering because of the
   abundance of obstacles, mostly rocks.
   Boof driving your boat for a mini-launch over a shallow ledge or rock.
   Bow front of the boat.
   Brace paddling technique using downward and sweeping strokes to
   stabilize a tipping canoe or kayak.
   Broach occurs when a canoe or kayak becomes caught in the current
   against an obstruction and turns sideways. Can result in severe damage
   as the current's force wraps the boat around the obstruction.
   Bulkhead sealed compartment fore or aft in a decked canoe or kayak.
   Primarily used for floatation but is also used for dry storage area
   with access via a deck hatch.

C

   C-1/C-2 a one or two person canoe, usually decked over for whitewater
   river-running. The paddler(s) kneels in the boat and uses a
   single-bladed paddle.
   Canoe open craft with pointed ends that is propelled with a
   single-bladed paddle. Also called an "open boat".
   CFS cubic feet per second. Measure of the velocity of water flow at a
   give point in a river. Varies given water level and gradient of the
   body of water.
   Chine the edge of the kayak - transition between the hull and the deck
   (see Bilge).
   Chute area where a river's flow is suddenly constricted, compressing
   and amplifying the current's energy into a narrow tongue of water (see
   Drop, Rapids, Whitewater).
   Class I-IV International standard classification system for rating the
   difficulty of fast moving water.
   Coaming see Cockpit.
   Cockpit opening in the deck of a closed canoe or kayak where the
   paddler sits. The curved lip around the edge of the cockpit, used to
   secure the spray skirt, is called coaming.
   Confluence the junction of two rivers or forks of a river.
   Control Hand "fixed" hand, left or right, depending on the offset of
   the blades on a kayak paddle.
   Curler a large wave, usually at the bottom of a drop, with a crest
   that spills upon its upstream slope. May be a surfing site.

D

   Dead Reckoning distance calculated from time on the water and
   estimated paddling speed.
   Deck closed-in area over the bow and/or stern of a canoe or kayak.
   Sheds water and, on a canoe, adds strength to the gunwales.
   Depth vertical measurement from the hull's lowest point to its
   highest, usually from the top of the gunwales amidships to the floor
   of the canoe.
   Directional Stability used to describe tendency of a boat to hold its
   course when under way (see Tracking).
   Draw Stroke used to move the boat sideways. Performed by placing the
   paddle into the water parallel to the boat at an arm's reach away,
   then pulling it towards the boat.
   Drop a steep, sudden vertical change in the stream or riverbed. A
   vertical drop higher than six feet is referred to as a "waterfall".
   Dry Bag waterproof storage bag that comes in a variety of sizes.
   Dry Suite enclosed, waterproof garment, with latex gaskets at the neck
   and wrists. Typically worn by whitewater and sea kayakers for cold
   water protection (see Wet Suit).

E

   Eddy area behind or downstream of an obstruction in the main current
   where water swirls in a direction different to that of the main flow,
   usually upstream.
   Eddy In term used to describe entering an eddy.
   Eddy Line transitional area between the main current and the eddy
   current (see Eddy).
   Eddy Out term used to describe exiting an eddy. See Peel Out.
   Ender a play maneuver enacted by nosing the bow into a vertical
   hydraulic that forces the bow down and deep and the stern up which
   results in the boat popping vertically upward. Good fun. Associated
   with "playing" in the river.
   Entrapment often a dangerous situation in which a boat and/or paddler
   is held fast by current and/or an obstacle (see Broach, Pin).

F

   Feathered a kayak paddle with blades that are set at an angle to each
   other in order to present the edge rather than the surface to the
   wind.
   Ferry maneuver you can use to cross a current on a body of water with
   little or no downstream travel. The current force is what moves the
   boat laterally.
   Final Stability generally referred to as "secondary stability." Best
   describes a boat's resistance to tipping once the boat has been leane
   to the point beyond its "initial stability." This resistance depends
   on the boats general hull design.
   Flare term used to describe a hull cross-section that grows
   increasingly wider as it rises from the waterline toward the gunwales.
   Flatwater lake water or slow moving river currents with no rapids.
   Float Bag the most common form of supplemental flotation in canoes and
   kayaks.
   Floatation foam blocks or air bags that may be built or added to a
   water craft to ensure that is does not sink when swamped.
   Following Sea the waves and swells that come from the stern of a boat.
   Freeboard vertical distance measured from the boat's waterline to the
   lowest point of its gunwale.

G

   Gauge Height for measuring water levels at one or more locations.
   Reference point used with CFS (or in lieu of)
   Grab Loop short rope or grab handles threaded through the bow/stern
   stem of a kayak or canoe. These are most often used as carry-handles,
   but they are great for catching swimmers.
   Gradient the steepness of a riverbed or channel over a specified
   distance, usually by the mile. Along with CFS and water-level
   information, this helps paddlers draw a picture of a river's
   difficulty. (See CFS, Class I-IV).
   Grip end of a canoe paddle that is opposite of the blade. It should be
   shaped to be comfortable in the paddler's hand.
   Gunwales the structural supports running end to end along the top of
   the hull.

H

   Hair term used to refer to dangerous and difficult whitewater. See
   Sick.
   Hair Boating paddling in dangerous and difficult whitewater.
   Hatch access port on the front and/or rear of a sea or touring kayak.
   Haystacks big standing waves in a wave "train" following a drop.
   Headwall steep cliff where the main channel of the river drives
   against it at a 90-degree angle.
   Hole benign to severe, a hole is created when river current drops over
   a rock or ledge and circulates instead of continuing its downstream
   flow. A significant feature because it either offers play
   opportunities or danger, depending on the circulating power of the
   hole.
   Horizon Line usually indicative of a falls or steep drop. There is a
   line, but the route, if there is one, is not apparent. Time to exit
   and scout.
   Hull the real body shape of a canoe or kayak. This area has the
   greatest impact on the boats overall performance on the water.
   Hull Configuration the design or shape of the hull that is effected by
   water, wind and the waves
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   Hydraulic pocket of water that follows a sudden or sharp drop in a
   riverbed or an obstruction that creates a circulating force at the
   base of the drop that is often times very powerful. Often times it
   will hold boats and paddlers for undetermined lengths of time.
   Hypothermia the cold water hazard for paddlers. Prolonged exposure can
   lead to incapacitation and eventually death as body core temperature
   drops below 80 degrees.

I

   Inflatable Kayak often times referred to as "duckies"; this boat
   inflates usually from a hand held pump to provide a stable, open top
   craft designed for up to two paddlers.
   Initial Stability referred to as a boat's resistance to leaning
   (tipping).

J


K

   K-1 one person kayak
   K-2 two person kayak
   Kayak water craft in which the paddler is usually fully enclosed and
   paddles using a double bladed paddle from a sitting position.
   Keel strip or extrusion that runs from the bow to stern along the
   bottom of a boat that adds rigidity and structural support. It also
   helps to prevent side-slipping.
   Keel Line a canoe's longitudinal shape of its bottom looking from the
   side.
   Keeper a feature, usually a hole, that is inclined to hold instead of
   release whatever enters it. Avoidance is the best policy.

L

   Layup fiberglass or Kevlar are layered in such a manner to make a
   fiberglass or Kevlar kayak or canoe.
   Life Jacket required by law for every passenger onboard a water craft
   (See PFD).
   Lining a rope technique of working an unoccupied canoe downstream
   around and obstruction or through rapids from shore.

M

   Maytag stuck in a hole and thrashed about as if in a washing machine.
   Usually not fun.
   Mystery Move a mysterious and lengthy disappearance underwater then
   reappearance to the surface in an entirely different location. Fun,
   especially when intentional.

N


O

   Off-Side the side of the canoe opposite the paddle.
   On-Side the side of the canoe you are paddling from.

P

   Paddle primary tool used to provide propulsion in canoes and kayaks
   (see Blase, Shaft, Throat)
   Painter rope attached to the bow and/or stern for tying canoes to the
   shore or lining them downstream.
   Peel Out term used to describe the act of leaving an eddy and entering
   the main current, bow catches the main current and quickly swings the
   boat downstream.
   PFD Personal Floatation Device. Buoyancy vest required by law for
   every passenger of all water craft and your most important life-saving
   tool.
   Pin being stuck between the current and the riverbed or an obstruction
   such as a rock or log and unable to dislodge. Not fun, possibly
   deadly.
   Pirouette while popping vertical in a kayak during an "ender", the
   paddler reaches a paddle blade to the water then effects a vertical
   boat-and-paddler spin with it. See Ender.
   Playing the stuff paddlers do that go beyond straight "downstream"
   paddling like surfing, hole riding and other antics on the river.
   Polling the use of a long pole pushed against the river bottom for
   moving canoes upstream.
   Portaging term for carrying boat and gear around a difficult rapid, an
   obstruction or between lakes.
   Pry Stroke paddle stroke used to turn the where the paddle is turned
   sideways along-side the gunwale, then "pried" outward.
   Put-In starting place of a river trip; where you put your boat on the
   river to begin a run or trip.

Q


R

   Ramp point in a rapid where water constricts/pools before dropping
   (spilling) downstream through a channel.

   Rapids portion of the river where the flow or current of a river
   speeds up and flows turbulently over and around ledges, boulders, and
   drop-offs, etc. Commonly referred to as whitewater.
   Reversal see Hydraulic
   Ribs material placed along the inside of a canoe hull to form its
   frame. Usually made of wood.
   Riffle shallow portion of the river characterized by whitecaps on the
   surface. Often caused by large rocks, gravel bars and other
   obstructions in the shallow water.
   River-Left the left side of the river facing down stream.
   River-Right the right side of the river facing down stream.
   Rocker the curvature of the keel upward from the keel line in the
   center towards the ends of a canoe or kayak.
   Roll a move requiring a paddle stroke and body snap to right oneself
   from a tipover while staying in the boat. Common techniques are the
   Sweep and Eskimo rolls.
   Roller large curling wave that falls back on itself, usually following
   a big, wide rock or obstruction in the riverbed.
   Roostertail fountain of water that explodes off a submerged obstacle.
   Rudder mostly a foot controlled steering device often found in a sea
   or touring kayak.

S

   Scouting describes the act of getting out above a rapid to assess its
   features and the viability of running it. Prudent and wise whenever in
   doubt.
   Sea Kayak see Touring Kayak
   Secondary Stability a hull's tendency to stabilize as it's leaned to
   one side. See Hull Configuration, Initial Stability.
   Self-Bailing Floor allows the water that inevitably enters an
   inflatable boat to drain out, eliminating the need to bail.
   Shaft the area of a paddle between the upper grip and the blade.
   Shuttle describes the nature of travel between the take-out and
   put-in. one-vehicle outings require logistical fore-sight, using
   options such as bicycling, walking, hitchhiking, and so on. to return
   to vehicle at put-in.
   Sick term used to describe hair, an ugly thrashing, flood level, a
   surplus of floating wood, a dangerous run or hole, and so on.
   Side Surf a play move in a benign hole in which paddler uses
   counter-vailing forces of downstream current and upstream hydraulic.
   Skeg fixed rudder.
   Sneak to take the "easy" route through a rapid.
   Sneak Route an easier or safer alternative route around a rapid.
   Spray Skirt or spray deck. a neoprene or nylon accessory that fits
   around the waist of the paddler and the cockpit lip of the canoe or
   kayak for a watertight closure.
   Squirt Boat an extremely low-volume kayak designed to play the
   currents below the river surface as well as on it; for advanced
   kayakers only.
   Standing Waves big waves that often indicate the main channel. See
   Haystacks.
   Stem the end-piece of a canoe's hull.
   Stern the back end of a boat.
   Strainer obstruction in the water that allows the current to pass
   through but stops any object floating or submerged. Potentially a very
   dangerous hazard.
   Surfing large breaking waves along a coastline or tidal area. Also a
   technique for riding large waves on a river or the ocean in a kayak or
   canoe. Great fun.
   Surf Ski a long, narrow kayak used for cruising and racing across open
   water. Originally developed for surf rescue. The paddler sits in
   divots on the hard-shelled deck, not in an enclosed cockpit.
   Sweep Stroke used to turn the boat to the off-side (non-paddle side)
   by reaching out and ahead, then "sweeping" in a wide arc fore to aft.

T

   Take-Out the ending point of a paddling trip; where the boats are
   finally taken from the water. See Put-In.
   Tandem two-person canoe or kayak.
   Technical describes the character of a rapid that requires deft and
   skillful maneuvering because of frequent obstructions. Also describes
   specific difficult-to-master paddling techniques.
   Thigh Straps in a canoe or C-1, straps that help hold a paddler's
   thighs in place, giving more control. Usually secured to the bottom
   and sides of the boat.
   Throat junction of paddle shaft and blade.
   Throw-Bag a rescue device incorporating a long rope coiled inside a
   nylon bag, to be thrown while holding one rope end.
   Thwart a cross-brace between the sides of a canoe. The center thwart
   should be the balance point of the canoe.
   Tie-Downs ropes or lines used to secure a boat to the car top.
   Tongue a smooth V indicating the route through a drop. See Ramp.
   Touring Kayak also called a sea kayak. Often a high-volume kayak for
   one or two people, propelled with a double-blade paddle. B
820
est suited
   for easy rivers and open water. Most offer good stability and run 15
   to 18 feet in length.
   Tracking the ability of a boat to hold a straight course due to its
   hull design. See Directional Stability.
   Trim a trim boat is level, side-to-side and end-to-end. Achieved by
   shifting the load or position of the paddlers.
   Tumblehome term used to describe a hull cross section that curves
   inward from the waterline toward the gunwales. See Waterline,
   Gunwales.


U

   Undercut an overhanging rock or ledge with water flowing underneath
   it. A serious hazard.


V

   Vee Water formation that indicates an obstruction. See Chute. Term is
   also used to describe hull shapes. See Hull Configuration.
   Volume used to describe overall capacity of a given hull shape.


W

   Waterfall major drop in a riverbed, usually over six feet in height.
   Waterline a line reached by the water along the hull of a boat; the
   shape of the waterline and the handling characteristics of the boat
   change as the load changes.
   Wave on a river, a wave is created by wind or an obstruction in the
   riverbed; the wave does not move while the water does. In tidal or
   ocean waters and lakes, a wave is created mostly by wind and tidal
   influences; the water does not move while the wave does.
   Wave Ski hard-shelled, foam-filled craft designed primarily for ocean
   surfing.
   Wave Train a series of standing waves. See Haystacks.
   Wet Suit typically made of neoprene, which creates a thermal shield.
   Worn by whitewater and sea kayakers for cold water protection. See Dry
   Suit.
   Whitewater turbulent, heavily aerated water caused by its flowing
   around or over obstacles in the current.
   Wrap a dangerous situation that occurs when a current's downstream
   force folds boat and/or boater around an obstruction.


X


Y

   Yoke a padded, modified thwart used as a shoulder rest to carry the
   canoe overhead. See Portaging, Thwart.


Z

   Z-Drag a method of using mechanical advantage to drag boats, etc via
   ropes and pulleys.
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