Reading the River: how to spot those pesky rocks

Рет қаралды 14,864

2 жыл бұрын

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.buymeacoffee.com/Raygoodwin
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.venturekayaks.com
My paddles are by: freebirdpaddles.co.uk
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 KZfaq channel.
Outside of the UK the cheapest way to get my book is via the Book Depository which does free postage worldwide: www.bookdepository.com/Canoei...

Пікірлер: 97

@robbiesmith7386 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

Glad to have been of help.

@martinoutdoors6941 2 жыл бұрын

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

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, thanks!

@brianj9635 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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.

@StroMedia Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@retiredoutside 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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.

@BurtReynoldstash Жыл бұрын

Love the border collie at 3.41.

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

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

@BurtReynoldstash Жыл бұрын

@@RayGoodwinCanoe the most adaptable dog in any situation

@paulsouthgate2504 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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.

@shilparasaiah6144 2 жыл бұрын

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

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Shilpa. Appreciated

@adventureswithjosie 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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.

@94sl Жыл бұрын

The poor dog was terrified!! 😀

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

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.

@nigelgregory4777 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

Glad it is of use. Keep well

@nigelgregory4777 Жыл бұрын

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

@philschaefer4651 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@alantaylor688 2 жыл бұрын

Great pointers Ray... thank you!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@juliedavies3785 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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

@abigailbown3243 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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

@downeastprimitiveskills7688 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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.

@EzeAdventurer Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this ray - useful!

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@CanoehoundAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

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

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

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

@akcarlos 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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

@gordonbaker6568 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Ray, more good advice.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome

@richardmoses2105 2 жыл бұрын

Another great video Ray; many thanks 🙏🏻

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍 Richard, appreciated

@Tim8o1 2 жыл бұрын

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

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@mccannbackwoodsbushcraft8816 Жыл бұрын

Very useful. Thank you.

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

You are most welcome

@wrzlgummidge7663 2 жыл бұрын

more great content Ray, really useful. Thanks and atb

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks

@bertheemskerk3273 2 жыл бұрын

Another excellent video!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Bert. Keep well

@kevinbungles 2 жыл бұрын

As always a great video and expertly explained

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks again!

@davidblyth4330 2 жыл бұрын

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

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

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

@MrMjt888 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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.

@walterwlee8814 2 жыл бұрын

Great info, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@FergalHill 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Very useful

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you think so! Many thanks

@pfarmer7589 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful, thank you

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it!

@suetadman3530 2 жыл бұрын

Top advice! Thank you.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@davescott9704 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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

@nateraymer2452 Жыл бұрын

Very informative. Thanks

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@viviennicholls1490 2 жыл бұрын

very informative Ray

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@abupinhus Жыл бұрын

Love it!

@RayGoodwinCanoe Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I hope it was of use

@abupinhus Жыл бұрын

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

@RR-wd1do 11 ай бұрын

Thank you

@RayGoodwinCanoe 11 ай бұрын

You are most welcome

@Canyakcoaching 2 жыл бұрын

Good one Mate

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Nice one. Hope you are well

@bernardpare2509 2 жыл бұрын

Merci

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome. Thank you.

@TN.70 2 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

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 жыл бұрын

The drone works well.

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

Yep it really add a lot to the content. Thanks

@thedeansfamily7896 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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 7 ай бұрын

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

@_DMAC Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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

@charlottenee8018 2 жыл бұрын

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: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rMB4esh_xt-9ioE.html

@RayGoodwinCanoe 2 жыл бұрын

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