Whitewater SUP Master
Interview with SUP Connect Published June 19th, 2015
Hood River, Oregon, based paddler Dan Gavere, a world-class kayaker, made the transition into a pioneer river and whitewater SUP master.
Dan, as a world-class kayaker, you made the transition to pioneer river and white water SUP. Can you tell us about this transition and how river SUP is different compared to kayaking?
The transition has been the most fun activity I have ever participated in. I love the feeling I get from a nice eddy turn or successfully navigating a tricky rapid. I love the challenge but I love the success of it too.
Where do you see the potential of river SUP?
Paddlers will be successfully running class 5 and surfing waves as hard as any kayaker or prone surfer.
I think it could become bigger than whitewater kayaking actually.
We have seen pictures of you riding down huge waterfalls, which is crazy for most of us to even comprehend. Does fear ever hold you back?
There is fear but I am also driven by this feeling and it makes me feel alive. I have now developed a need to feed this and want to see what can be done while standing. I don't want to just survive the rapid standing, I want to see myself and others “owning it” with confidence, showing stable paddling with precision and style.
Where do you find the confidence to go down rivers that nobody else has?
I am not doing anything no one else has ever done in a kayak so I get a lot of my confidence from other paddlers or my own past kayaking experiences. The exploratory part of running rivers is quite amusing too though.
How does River-racing compare to traditional SUP racing?
River Sup Racing is my very favorite because it’s as much about being fit and having the right equipment, as it is to picking the correct line through the rapids. There’s a million more variables racing down the river or creek than there is racing around a lake.
What gear do you take with you when river paddling? What are the essentials?
Essentials are a helmet (Sweet Wanderer), PFD/Lifejacket for whitewater (Astral Designs Green or Seawolf), Shoes (Astral Designs HIYak), knee pads, wet suit or preferably a Supskin Drysuit. GoPro of Course!
When looking for a board to use on the river, what do you need?
You need something stable to be successful, you want something with removable fins so you can fine-tune the turning or straight-line paddling performance. The river is often very low like 500cfs or below and in that case paddling with no fins at all is a great option. Of course I suggest the Stream for all paddlers of any ability from 100-290 lbs.
You have been heavily involved in developing the Starboard Astro Stream Range for focused river paddling. What features does the Stream have that make it suited to river paddling?
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Removable fins
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Fins that are set forward on the board for better river running and river surfing performance and forgiveness
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Durability with extra material in high wear areas
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Handles tip to tail and rail to rail
Do you feel inflatables are the way forwards for river paddling?
Yes I do, but not the only way. Right now for me Inflatable technology is the best option because of their durability, lightweight, and cost. Admittedly they do have a few drawbacks though (flex and “stick” factor where they get hung up on rocks) and there is a possibility composite or lightweight molded plastics might have a future.
What advantage do you have using an inflatable over a composite board?
Inflatables absorb river hits and make it like having suspension on a mountain bike for sup. Durability is the obviously one and no one likes dealing with composite repairs. The Astro inflatable technology also allows me to do a bunch of different and really fun board to earth transfers, rock spins, and jump books, which are all new moves for whitewater sup I am developing with some bumps and bruises along the way.
How would you suggest someone who is new to river paddling to get involved?
Take a lesson, support local paddle shop.
Payette River Games
You have helped set up the Payette River Games, a dedicated River SUP Race event with an impressive $50,000 prize. Can you tell us about this event and what is involved?
This is a whitewater SUP race with 2 separate disciplines (Sup Cross and SUP-er G that awards the top Overall athletes with the best-combined results for the 50K in prize money. The top male and female paddler will take home 10,000 dollar checks!
What type of board can people use to enter?
Any type of board and you must pick ONE board for the entire comp and it must be 11’ or shorter in length
What equipment do people need to enter?
Pfd/Lifejacket, Helmet, shoes (optional but strongly encouraged)
Photos: Jennifer Gulizia
River SUP Top Mistakes
Previously Published August 3rd, 2016 on SUP Connect Photo: Starboard SUP
HOOD RIVER, Oregon - Stand up paddling on the river is tough. It’s one of the most technical avenues of paddle boarding and there are a lot of mistakes that rookies, and even sometimes experienced paddle boarders make. Here, pro stand up paddler and SUP river expert Dan Gavere lists some of the top mistakes made by river SUP rookies. Check it out:.
1. Leash around the ankle
Do not attach your leash around your ankle. Use a rescue belt attachment and have it inspected and approved by a whitewater professional and, even more importantly, use the partial overlap technique. The partial overlap technique is a technique I invented and have been teaching for over eight years. It's very easy and can be done with any leash with velcro attachments. The technique is simple; Rather than fully attaching the leash velcro with multiple overlaps, you only partially overlap the velcro so that it can break free under load. This will ensure that the leash can release from the board and if the paddler is unconscious, has a broken arm, or the leash was already released from waist belt but somehow got caught up again on paddler. Better yet is to use partial overlap at both rider and the board attachments.
2. Non-staggered stance
A lot of times I’ll see rookies standing with their feet side-by-side. Switch it up and use a staggered stance so you have front to back as well as side to side balance. Not a surfing stance with both feet on the stringer line of the board, but offset with either a goofy or regular stance to get the most stability.
3. Bare feet
Always make sure to wear shoes on the river and don’t stand up in the current. Being barefoot in the river is a great way to smash your feet. Ouch! Even ocean-style surfing booties don’t provide enough protection against sharp rocks. The best shoes on the market in my opinion are definitely anything from Astral and I recommend the Hiyaks.
4. No protective gear
Stand up paddling on the river can definitely be rough. With rapids, rocks, and other hazards on the river you always want to make sure to wear knee and shin pads so you don’t break your knee cap in half or smash your shins onto rocks, which is likely to happen when learning because you will be falling. And always wear a pfd!
5. No lessons
Take a lesson and don’t try to muscle through it on your own. It’s a game of efficiency and using the flow of the river to get where you need to go.
6. Standing too far back on the board
Don’t stand too far back on the board because it forces you to lose a lot of stability. Let the nose rocker do its job and stand in the middle of the board.
7. Fighting the current
Don’t ever try to fight the current! Fighting the current can cause you to loose a ton of energy very quickly. Go with the flow of the current and if it wants to turn you right keep going all the way around to the right rather than fighting against the current to go left.
8. Not using the nose draw stroke
A big mistake rookies make on the river is not utilizing the nose draw stroke. The nose draw uses the power of the paddle at the beginning of the stroke to turn the board towards the same side that you’re paddling on. Place the paddle two or three feet from the nose of your board with the blade parallel to the rail of the board and pull laterally. Then, trunk the blade perpendicular to take a normal forward stroke. This is also known as a bow draw in kayaking and canoeing and is the single most effective stroke for whitewater and the gateway to paddling finless. So, make sure to learn the nose draw stroke and master it in the staggered stance.
9. Big Fins
Many times rookies will use big fins on their boards. This is a big no no. Don’t use huge fins because they catch the subsurface currents and make turning quickly or predictably very inconsistent. My rule of thumb is anything below 1000 cfs, don’t use fins at all or use very small 2.5 inch or smaller fins. Four 2-inch fins are way better than one 8-inch fin. Having a quad fin setup are the best for rivers. Single center fins hit excessively and make tilting the board to avoid a rock strike way more difficult. Starboard Dan Gavere Stream sidebite fins and center River PH fins are my recommendations for fins to use.
HOW TO BE SAFE IN THE RAPIDS ON SUP
Previously Published October 31, 2010 on SUP Connect Photo: Rob Casey
HOOD RIVER, Oregon -- The world’s first casualties of standup paddling took place on a river, highlighting the exceptional dangers posed by running fresh water. We’ve asked river expert and standup paddle extraordinaire, Dan Gavere, to make a ‘Must-Know Safety List’ for anyone who is thinking about taking a standup paddle board to a river. Below is the list.
1. Know How to Swim Competently & How to Whitewater Swim
Know how to swim competently! Being a strong swimmer is mandatory for entering the whitewater environment. But that alone is not enough. You must learn the whitewater swim position. Rocks, branches, and other obstacles and debris are equally dangerous (and sometimes more of a danger than the water), so learning how to swim and position your body once falling in the water is pivotal for sup river safety.
2. Never Paddle Alone for a Partner is Often Your Best Life Insurance Never paddle alone. Having a friend along with you is the single best way for offer or receive a rescue when in need.
3. Always Wear a Personal Floatation Device: Safety Comes Before Fashion Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times when in the river. The extra flotation will mean you can swim more efficiently without getting sucked under. Flotation also provides a face up floating orientation so you will be able to breathe even if unconscious, not to mention the impact protection the life jacket provides. This is the one piece of equipment that is required on any type of moving water environment.
4. Wear a Helmet: Being Unconscious Nearly Dooms Your Chances of Survival Wear a helmet. Being unconscious in the river is one of the most lethal positions you can put yourself in. You are the most likely person to perform a rescue (self rescue) but if you’re unconscious, you have drastically reduced your chances of survival.
5. Never Try to Find Footing to Stand Up: That Can Lead to Serious Injuries & Death Never Stand Up in the River. There is a common situation called “foot entrapment,” where a person’s foot becomes trapped or wedged between rocks in the river bottom and then their body is pushed down below the surface by the current of the river. This is particularly dangerous because even the strongest person sometimes can’t fight the current. In which case, the person will remain underwater and/or with her foot trapped, eventually leading to drowning.
6. Know the River, Its Sections, Obstacles, and Dangers Before Entering Be aware of the section of river you’re going to paddle and any known dangers that may exist, like strainers, low head dams, trees, undercuts, etc… If you are not aware of these terms or what they mean, then you need more knowledge and training before attempting any whitewater. DO THE RESEARCH AND LEARN!
7. Understand the Dangers/Benefits of a Leash Before Wearing One Know the dangers and benefits of wearing a leash and, if wearing one, only use leashes with a quick release system in the river. NEVER EVER attach your leash to your ankle while paddling in a river. Note that this is a basic list and that by no means it will guarantee safety when standup paddling on rivers. Additional caution must always be taken and the standup paddler must be extremely attuned to the changing dynamics of the water and the risks it poses, including even the risk of death. If you have no or minimal experience on rivers, consult with a local river expert before attempting to go for a paddle.
Taking SUP to new Dimensions
Previously Published in Windsurfer Magazine Photo: Charlie Munsey
White water stand up paddling for me is the ultimate challenge. It takes all the basic skills of the sport and amplifies it 10 times because it tests your physical and mental skills. Being able to “read” the water and anticipate how each wave, boil, wall, rock, and hole will direct you and your board takes some serious time on the water and skills. I believe I have a serious advantage that naturally led me into this genre of SUP because of my whitewater kayaking background combined with my love for boardsports like snow, kite and skateboarding.
I often get asked the simple question of how to get into the sport of SUP on the river. My best response is to find your local kayak shop or river outfitter and do some research on nearby rivers and creeks. There is tons of beta online as well and that will get you pointed in the right direction as far as a good location to start. The next part of the equation is to master your sup technique in the flat water so the basics like the forward stroke, turn strokes, and paddling in a surf stance are well practiced and confident. Trying to learn how to paddle at the same time as attempting to learn the nuances of current, waves, holes and rapids can double up to make learning particularly more difficult. Make it easy on yourself and master the basics in flatwater and then apply them to rough water in lakes and very mellow rivers before jumping right into the whitewater. Of course, taking a lesson in whitewater SUP, kayaking, and/or swiftwater rescue are the best ways to learn at an accelerated rate, but offerings in this genre of SUP are few and far between at this early stage of the sport.
The future of whitewater SUP looks very bright in my eyes. River communities where rafting and kayaking are prominent will see the first growth spurts like we are already witnessing, for example in Colorado and Tennessee where strong communities of “boaters” have already been established because of the proximity to so many great rivers and creeks with access points and resources. Boaters naturally get better and better as time goes along and they need a constantly challenging section of whitewater to satisfy their taste for a good challenge, however as many of them soon find out that transitioning from an intermediate kayaker to an advanced kayaker often means paddling more and more dangerous rivers in the class4 and 5 rating, and these are substantially more dangerous by nature. Many of these paddlers are finding that a similar technical challenge can now be met on much easier whitewater using a stand up paddle board. This is great news on another level because often times the easier whitewater is also much closer to home. Another avenue for the popularity to boom is with experienced sup paddlers who are simply looking for a new challenge outside of the surf break or their usual flatwater routine. Many of these paddlers already have intermediate to advanced skills so they only need some gumption, some direction and few pieces of river-specific/friendly gear.
My involvement with the sport for the future will most certainly be to keep challenging myself and pushing the limits of what I believe can be successfully paddled with a stand up board on the river, but even more importantly to share my knowledge and spread the stoke about a new genre in the world of paddling. Offering lessons, videos, and instructional clinics is how I am hoping to spread my love of this new segment in sup. Some of my scariest journeys on a stand up paddleboard have naturally been on the river. Paddling off 2 40 + foot waterfalls in Oregon is definitely on the top of the list. I have paddled the same waterfalls while sitting in a kayak which is scary in its own right but nothing is more committing than peeling out of the eddy above the drop and with no chance of escape of turning back you have to focus with every cell in your body to make it off the lip of the drop in control and with awareness about your positioning and control in a split second. Once you leave that last eddy there is nothing left to do but rely on your core skills and knowledge of what will happen and how to prepare for the hit at the bottom. Standing while dropping over a 4-story waterfall has got to be one of the most intimidating feelings, but at the same time, it’s a kind of willingness to put yourself out there and see what happens. Both of my big waterfall attempts have been without success of landing at the bottom but I would never know until I dropped. You can’t learn to fly without flying, and it’s a mantra in life, I repeat every day to myself that the willingness to fail will only make me better at success. Someday we will be landing big waterfalls and there is no doubt that with the right equipment and skills that day may come even sooner than I can dream.
Creating my WW Dream Board
Previously Published April 25, 2016 in Stand Up Paddle Mag Photos: Zach Mahone
Paddling whitewater on a stand up paddle board is most certainly a challenge, but the fun factor has me frothing for it more than anything else I have ever done. I was excited to introduce a few friends to it and ever since that first day on the river back in 2007 I have been racking my brain around what the ultimate white water board would look like?
Composite Boards
The process started in 2010 with the Starboard Whopper in a composite construction. Obviously I was doing some serious damage to the composite boards on the rockier and shallow water in the rivers near my house so my main concern was durability. Very soon in the process I also realized how the low volume narrow tails and sharp rails of most the boards which were made for ocean surfing, did not work well in river situations and especially for downstream river running and catching eddies.
I dreamed of a board that paddled similar to a white water kayak but also still looked like and rode like a stand up board. I loved the flat deck with no deck rails, recessed areas, or bumps and notches on the deck to trip or hit or bump my knees on. Sometimes I would have to bail to my knees and some of the boards I was using at the time left me sore and bruised even with knee pads on.
Then came the Astro/Inflatable line of boards from Starboard and I immediately got my hands on the Whopper Inflatable. It was different and took me a little while to get used to the delay and bucking sensation of riding an inflatable but by the end of the river I was feeling dreamy on the inflatable and I knew this was going to be the ultimate construction for the best white water board. At four inches thick and 200 litres, I had no problems in low and medium volume rivers like the Arkansas in Colorado and the Hood River in Oregon, but would still get the occasional swirl-a-gram, and rail grab to power flip in larger volume rivers like the Deschutes and Colorado Rivers which typically run 4,000 cfs and higher.
I liked the generous rocker and forgiving outline of the Whopper and it paddled predictable even in bigger waves and holes. The board was super fun to start trying on/off the board tricks and surfing river waves. I was even starting to catch waves on the fly for the first time! I could travel anywhere with it in a backpack with a three-piece breakdown paddle. I really enjoyed the ability to easily portage bigger rapids. It was so light weight and carrying it over rocks was so easy I found myself repeating the fun and challenging rapids again and again.