Reading the River: how to spot those pesky rocks

Подписаться 11 тыс.

Просмотров 17 тыс.

50% 1

When I started out as a kayaker, long before canoeing, I could never understand how others missed those pesky rocks. The ones that were either just below the surface or only showed a small amount above. This video explores how to spot those rocks and that is the first stage in missing them.
If you enjoyed this then consider making a small donation at: www.buymeacoff...
Many thanks to Carwyn Dwyer for the drone footage.
My pfd, drysuit and helmet are by www.nrs.com
In the UK I paddle canoes by: www.venturekay...
My paddles are by: freebirdpaddle...
My website: www.RayGoodwin.com
Signed copies of my illustrated book 'Canoeing', are available direct from me or from Amazon. It covers far more than my RU-vid channel.
Outside of the UK the cheapest way to get my book is via the Book Depository which does free postage worldwide: www.bookdeposi...

Опубликовано:

23 сен 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 99

@robbiesmith7386 2 года назад

At last! The dark art demystified!!! Thanks for this one, Ray. I found the drone footage particularly useful; being able to hover above the feature with the water still moving, rather than looking at a still photograph, really helped to improve my understanding of what the water is doing. Have you got any plans for a mini-series on "Reading the River"? I think that would be very interesting. All the best.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad it was helpful! Luckily a friend of mind has a drone and at present will get me some shots for free. And you are right it really adds to the video. I have been wanting to do this one for quite a while but the shots from the canoe just didn't do enough. Yep I have in mind a 'Reading the River' series. I will grab footage as opportunity presents and gather it all up when I have enough. Many thanks.

@philipshore6924 2 года назад

Bingo, next level of learning has just unlocked ! As beginners we are taught to follow the Vs downstream which has lead me to a few hidden rocks, but now I know to look for the slow water at the same time. Thank you for the mini-tip, Ray.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad to have been of help.

@brianj9635 2 года назад

Sorry to have missed the Canoehound Adventures live - but thank you for doing that in the wee hours in the UK for us. Living in Alberta now and having glacial rivers to explore this video will come in handy - thank you.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad that it is of use.😁 Yep it was a late one for me, getting to bed at 3am in Uk, but lots of fun.

@retiredoutside 2 года назад

Good explanations, Ray - nicely done. The drone shots really help to illustrate the points you are making. It's nice to see a video about reading the river. Paddle strokes and canoe tilting are the easy part of running whitewater; find a line is the hard part. Do you have any more examples, maybe in a very bony river?

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Many thanks! I will be trying to get videos illustrate finding lines. It is a case of having the right opportunities. I will be looking for them.

@martinoutdoors6941 2 года назад

Best explanation I’ve seen at a nice easy pace.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Wow, thanks!

@adventureswithjosie 2 года назад

Very good video Ray! I have only paddled white water once before, just smaller rapids with a friend who was experienced in white water. When we paddled it I had no idea what was a rock or not up ahead if the rock was not showing, my friend did all of the reading of the river. This video was excellent in showing how to spot rocks!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

I am really glad that it was of use. I so remember those early days of paddling white water and it would have been useful to me back then. Many thanks for your comment.

@paulsouthgate2504 2 года назад

I used to be a valued pathfinder in groups I paddled with ,they followed me and avoided the rocks with green gel coat on them from my Prospector,when I moved onto Royalex I found I was less valued.Great video wish I had seen it 35 years ago

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

That has made me chuckle. Mind I still employ the 'pathfinder' technique on the shallow areas of the River Spey. Make sure there are a couple of canoes out ahead of me. If they get stuck I take a different route.

@renataharcarikova6823 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much for these videos! Extremely helpful.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 месяца назад

You're very welcome!

@shilparasaiah6144 2 года назад

Ray - this is such a clear explanation of Eddy lines and how to get in and out.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Thank you Shilpa. Appreciated

@philschaefer4651 2 года назад

Great little video, wish I'd seen it a few years ago. Would have saved me a couple of swims. Oh well, self rescue practice is good too. ;) Another tip, at least in clear water is to wear polarized glasses, often you can see the rock under the water before the calm patch or pillow is visible.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

I had forgotten the polarised glasses thing: not paddled on water that clear for age. I am presuming all your water is solid now and you are waiting on spring/summer. Keep well

@philschaefer4651 2 года назад

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Yep, best way to go down the river right now is a pair of skis. I won't be paddling again till at least May. Take care.

@EzeAdventurer Год назад

Thanks for this ray - useful!

@RayGoodwinCanoe Год назад

Glad it was helpful!

@nigelgregory4777 2 года назад

Another great vid Ray, I learned the hard and fast way to spot rocks on the Spey, but showing how you can use them to manoeuvre on the water is another little chink of information learned. Many thanks Ray, 👍👍👍☕☕ Nige.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad it is of use. Keep well

@nigelgregory4777 2 года назад

@@RayGoodwinCanoe you are the yoda of the canoe, keep well my friend ☕☕❤

@BurtReynoldstash Год назад

Love the border collie at 3.41.

@RayGoodwinCanoe Год назад

That's Billie. Generally a very good river dog.

@BurtReynoldstash Год назад

@@RayGoodwinCanoe the most adaptable dog in any situation

@gordonbaker6568 2 года назад

Thanks, Ray, more good advice.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

You are very welcome

@StroMedia Год назад

I learned a lot - thank you. As others have said, the drone shots were very helpful but so were the shots where you panned with the obstruction as you paddled past. I subscribed and look forward to watching your other videos.

@RayGoodwinCanoe Год назад

Glad it was helpful!

@juliedavies3785 2 года назад

Great video Ray, really informative. Looking out for the slow water is a great tip. Dont tell paul i watched it though, in case i pinball us down the Porcupine haha.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

I had a coffee splutter reading the last bit! Glad it was of interest and use.

@abigailbown3243 2 года назад

I enjoyed this - it's definitely still an area I need to work on at times but a big advantage of being in a canoe rather than a kayak!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Yep but this applies to any river craft (as you know), Trouble is I am selling myself short by giving away all this information🤣 rather than putting it on a course

@akcarlos 2 года назад

thanks for this video , your explanations are clear and concise. better that some people I go rafting with who charge through hoping for the best and then tell you what we went through afterwards.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

You are welcome! The rafting sound a bit epic. A few lesson to be learnt by those who run it.

@CanoehoundAdventures 2 года назад

Great little tutorial on how to spot and use rocks to your advantage.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad you liked it. And a great pleasure to be on your channel the other evening/morning.

@viviennicholls1490 2 года назад

very informative Ray

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@wrzlgummidge7663 2 года назад

more great content Ray, really useful. Thanks and atb

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks

@suetadman3530 2 года назад

Top advice! Thank you.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

You're welcome!

@downeastprimitiveskills7688 2 года назад

Ah yes the video you mention last night on Canoehound. nice to hear your stories. Those edies are great to learn by poling up stream and eddy hopping, scales in variance, same tell tail indicators be it low water or big water.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Thanks for the comment on the Canoehound chat. Yep absolutely on the eddy hoping upstream with a pole. As soon as I have the right venue I will get a film of that.

@MrMjt888 2 года назад

Nice one Ray. Great for newbies. And the bit about using them to move across the river was new to me (I now know what you were talking about on the Spey 😝)

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Thanks Mikey. So think about the move as another S-turn but this time going current-eddy-current as opposed to eddy-current-eddy. Choose some easy ones to start with and then have some fun. again thanks.

@davescott9704 2 года назад

Thanks Ray, that explanation was very helpful. Also really enjoyed your session with Dennis of Canoehound yesterday. Best wishes in getting some time over in Canada this year!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad you think so, thanks.😁 It was great fun with Dennis so again thanks. Yep fingers crossed for Canada.

@bertheemskerk3273 2 года назад

Another excellent video!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Thank you Bert. Keep well

@nateraymer2452 2 года назад

Very informative. Thanks

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@alantaylor688 2 года назад

Great pointers Ray... thank you!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

My pleasure!

@FergalHill 2 года назад

Great video. Very useful

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad you think so! Many thanks

@pfarmer7589 2 года назад

Very helpful, thank you

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad to hear it!

@davidblyth4330 2 года назад

Thanks Ray, another excellent video and great stimulus material. 😁👍

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it. And it is great following your sea kayak and canoe adventures on FB. Keep well

@richardmoses2105 2 года назад

Another great video Ray; many thanks 🙏🏻

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Thanks 👍 Richard, appreciated

@Tim8o1 2 года назад

Nice video Ray, plenty enough info wrapped up in five odd minutes. Q, Are you doing a series on reading rivers Ray?

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Thank you for that comment. Re reading the river: as I am out and about either for myself or with customers I will collect bits of video to make more for the series. So hopefully in due course there will be more.

@kevinbungles 2 года назад

As always a great video and expertly explained

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Thanks again!

@walterwlee8814 2 года назад

Great info, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@RR-wd1do Год назад

Thank you

@RayGoodwinCanoe Год назад

You are most welcome

@Canyakcoaching 2 года назад

Good one Mate

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Nice one. Hope you are well

@94sl Год назад

The poor dog was terrified!! 😀

@RayGoodwinCanoe Год назад

Billie had a natural tendency to look worried 😱 but he is so excited when the canoe goes on the car. Jumps into canoe eagerly. Gets concerned though when I start throwing the canoe about.

@abupinhus Год назад

Love it!

@RayGoodwinCanoe Год назад

Thank you! I hope it was of use

@abupinhus Год назад

@@RayGoodwinCanoe i plan to pay attention next time i am in my kayak 😉

@thedeansfamily7896 10 месяцев назад

Great video, thanks. Beginner here and going down local river and doing ok except for hidden rocks. Incidentally, would you recommend a helmet camera? I want to film my trips and watch back later to read the river better. At present I drive and walk to the points of the river I struggled with to get another look and see what I would have done differently!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 10 месяцев назад

Thank you. A helmet cam certainly records well so you have a record for fun and learning. What you get will come down to how good a picture you want and how deep your pockets are. I currently have a GoPro 8 which is very good and an 11 which is awesome with a horizon lock (so your videos are not tilted). If I could have only one it would be an eleven or twelve. But there are much cheaper alternatives on the market.

@thedeansfamily7896 10 месяцев назад

Great, many thanks for the quick answer!! I sent you a wee email about your book as well. Cheers.

@_DMAC Год назад

Helpful! I haven't been on a kayak since high school and do remember to look for the "V". Now at age 40, my dog and I are novice at being on a canoe. I struggle to find lines through shallower sections. Often observing ahead, and ending up choosing what looks like the best way and often isn't. Any advice there? Darker areas are deeper, ripple faster looking areas are often too shallow it seems.

@RayGoodwinCanoe Год назад

Ah shallow sections. It becomes a guessing game and we all end up getting stuck and walking. If there are others with you, let them go first. When they get stuck try a different line 😂. Smile if you manage to float past them. Sorry no other advise

@bernardpare2509 2 года назад

Merci

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

You are most welcome. Thank you.

@TN.70 2 года назад

Dziękuję za Film. Proszę rób więcej takich poradników, są bardzo pomocne przy nauce pływania np: Venture Prospector 155. Like i Sub dla Ciebie 👍 Dziękuję i Pozdrawiam 👋

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Via Google translate: Thank you for the movie. Please, make more of these guides, they are very helpful when learning to swim, e.g. Venture Prospector 155. Like and Sub for you 👍 Thank you and Regards 👋 Answer: You are most welcome. I will be trying to do a few more of these as the opportunity presents over the spring and summer. Again thank you. Serdecznie zapraszamy. Spróbuję zrobić jeszcze kilka z nich, gdy nadarzy się okazja na wiosnę i lato. Jeszcze raz dziękuję.

@linapatel4341 2 года назад

The drone works well.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Yep it really add a lot to the content. Thanks

@charlottenee8018 2 года назад

Hi Ray, thanks for the informative video! Thoroughly enjoyed listening to you on CanoeHound Adventures last nite. Thanks for staying up past your (and my) bedtime to share your life with us--please take it easy. For those who may have missed his interview, you can see it here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vZHGeNayYZM.html

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 года назад

Awesome, thank you! Yep I did enjoy doing the CanoeHound chat. Great fun. PS I had to have sleep this afternoon