The idea is to set the closed, back part of the tent (lower end) into the wind and then set out a large plastic ground cloth big enough to roll-up against the tent/kayak inner side walls and also partially barricade the open side.  The plastic tarps can easily be stowed in your kayak hatch folded flat on the bottom (along with the collapsed hiking staffs) or just folded up and bungeed to the back of your kayak.  We've used this tarp-tent method with either one or two kayaks (if you have a larger tarp) several times on the sandy beaches and rocky shores of Lake Powell where winds can suddenly cause havoc.  Early on we used an 11x17 tarp & split kayak paddles (as shown in the photo) but they were about equal in length and it was hard if not impossible to close down the windward side of the tent from blowing sand (note the unusual use of the sleeping pad).  Two people can carry one or two full kayaks up on shore a short way without too much difficulty.

Use cord and large rocks to replace the stakes if you are on a rock surface.  As noted, one of the key components to get the right shape and structure of the tent are the two adjustable hiking sticks.  They work well for fitting through a standard grommet hole on the open end and standing point down and handle up in the middle of the tent.  A staked length of rope or cord holds the front staff and tent erect while other stakes or rocks and bungee cords (around the kayak hull) anchor the rest of the tarp surfaces to the ground and kayak.

Fold the lower end of the tarp around the end of the kayak and stake the remainder to the ground.  Then, set in the ground cloth last, sliding it under the center staff and positioning it to roll up around the inside perimeters.  You get cozy and protected from blowing sand.  Your clothes, food and cooking equipment are close behind you in the protected hatches or open cockpit so you don't have to run out into the elements to get stuff.  And, the kayak hull provides you a sturdy back rest.  Of course this isn't a replacement for a personal 3-season tent, one can't always find a good place to set up on a flat or dry surface near the shore line.  But it's quick and roomy when you have to wait out some time in bad weather.  Play around with this at home with your kayak before getting out in the wilderness till you get the knack of setting it up just right for your needs.

The (NEW) USFS Boater's Guide to the Verde River - Beasley Flat to Sheep Bridge

This guide downloads from the link above in Adobe file format and contains fully annotated topo maps, mileages, paddle time, hazards, section descriptions and more. All ready to print.

2007 FibArk Raft Rodeo Champion
SAPC President - Tommy James



The "Duck-Man" wins big !

A group of rafting aficionados and spectators judged this rodeo contest by who performed with the best skill while staying in the hole (tricks & time up got points) and also finished with the required end-over splash down into the river.  They couldn't believe someone from Southern Arizona ("There's ain't no water in Southern AZ") could be doing this and even paddling away as the winner.  Tommy quacked he practiced in a pool with a bunch of Girl Scouts (I have pictures to prove it's true).  Several SAPC members & friends where there to cheer for and support Tommy at his first Fibark raft rodeo.  He had the best two runs among several contestants most of who were younger than Tommy whose age matched his number.  The trick that put him over the top was the "whirly-bird".  Great job Tommy - Congratulations !

Teaching the kayak roll is an exercise in patience and communication. For many instructors, it is the most enjoyable kayak skill to teach for the challenges involved, and for the feeling of satisfaction that comes from successfully helping a paddler learn to roll.

Before looking at some of the ways to teach the roll, it's important that I preface this section by making it clear that the techniques presented here come from my years spent teaching the roll, and working and learning from other instructors. Although they are time-tested and proven methods, they certainly don't represent the only way to teach the kayak roll.

One of the most important things to do as an instructor is to keep in perspective how difficult and emotionally taxing things-which may seem simple to an experienced paddler-can be for new paddlers. Fear and frustration can be powerful hindrances to learning. For these reasons, it should be a priority to develop and support the beginner paddler's comfort in being upside-down underwater-before they have an opportunity to flip unexpectedly and scare themselves-and it is why I recommend starting with the wet exit.

Every paddler has a different comfort level on the water. Some paddlers won't mind flipping and swimming on their own accord. For others, flipping upside-down will be a terrifying experience, even with you standing right beside them in the water. For more anxious paddlers, try the following progression. Start by standing in waist-deep water with the paddler facing you in their kayak. Ask the paddler to hug their deck while you flip them over and then immediately flip them back upright. As they gain confidence, you can ask them to slap the hull of their kayak when they want to be rolled up so they can safely experiment with being upside-down a little longer. It won't be long before they will have the confidence to try the wet exit with you holding onto their kayak, ready to roll them upright in case they suddenly feel like they "can't get out". After a few wet exits with you on hand, they'll be ready to flip over themselves and perform the wet exit with your more distant supervision.

Once a paddler is comfortable with the idea of being underwater, you can start teaching the hip snap. Ask the paddler to first practice rocking their boat back and forth while keeping their upper body still and upright. This teaches them to stay loose at the hips, which allows their upper and lower bodies to work separately and cooperatively with each other. Next, ask the paddler to practice their hip snap while on their side and holding something stable, such as the side of a pool, a low dock, or the bow of a friend's boat. Once they have developed a full hip snap and learned to keep the head down throughout, try a few T-rescues. When a T-rescue can be performed competently on both sides, a paddler is ready to learn to roll.

As with teaching any skill, remember that different people learn in different ways, and no one way is better than another. On one end of the spectrum you have people who learn visually and through action. No matter how effectively you break down the technique verbally, this type of person really needs to see it and/or attempt it to fully understand it. On the other end of the spectrum you have people who learn in a very technical fashion and who need to be given clear verbal breakdown of the method with obvious landmarks. Most people fall somewhere in between these two ends and will need the roll to be both demonstrated and broken down in a clear and simple manner. This is not only important when introducing the roll, but it is equally important when working with a paddler one-on-one, while standing in the water. As clearly as you may be verbally communicating what you would like them to do, you may have to hop into your kayak and demonstrate it.

With regards to which roll is the best to teach a learning paddler, there is no correct answer. As I mentioned earlier, some instructors will very successfully teach the Pawlata roll first. The Pawlata is much more common among sea kayakers and much less so among whitewater kayakers because the latter need to be ready to go immediately after rolling up, making it preferable to not move the hands around on the paddle. I prefer to teach a standard C-to-C or sweep roll because it promotes good rolling technique from the very beginning and it helps to develop paddle dexterity.

Whichever roll you decide to teach, don't give the paddler any options early on. The simpler you can keep it, the better chance they have at rolling successfully. If after working on a particular type of roll for a while, you decide that it would be best to try a different style, no problem. In the interests of being attentive and flexible, feel free to adapt your teaching technique as necessary, but understand that you want to limit how often you switch techniques.

I have always found the most successful teaching progression starts with me standing in the water with the paddler. I ask them to focus on setting up with their paddle high out of the water, and their head and body leaning far out to the side. I ask them beforehand to let me guide their paddle, while they focus their attention on making a complete and powerful hip snap and keeping their head down. By repeating these motions, the paddler learns how their paddle should move through its set-up and catch phase. Once they are setting their paddle up nice and high out of the water, hip snapping effectively, and keeping their head down throughout the roll, they are ready to start taking more control of their own paddle. At this point I stand right behind their body while they are still upright. While supporting them either under their arm or by grabbing hold of their PFD, I have them slowly fall towards me. They can now completely right their kayak while I keep their head just above water. If required, I talk them through the paddle motion and even use one of my hands to help guide them. The key, as mentioned earlier, is to support the paddler not the blade, so that they do not have to put too much pressure on their paddle.

These assisted rolling practice drills will develop good technique over time. Some paddlers will catch on right away, while other paddlers may need a number of sessions before it clicks. Just stay patient, attentive, flexible, and positive. Another thing to keep in mind is that rolling uses muscles in ways that a learning paddler isn't used to. This fact, combined with the mental challenges of picking up a new skill, mean that there is a point at which "learning fatigue" will set in, so don't expect to spend more than an hour or two teaching to roll on any given day. By going longer than this, I can guarantee you that the learning curve will quickly plateau, or even reverse.

Ken Whiting was the 1997/98 World Whitewater Freestyle Champion. He has produced an award-winning series of instructional kayaking books and DVDs, and leads kayaking trips to Chile. Check out www.helipress.com