Connecticut Water Trails Program

Blastwheel -  the act of cart wheeling in the plane of a blast, while blasting.

Blow mold - process for manufacturing kayaks made with HDPE plastic.  Blow molding is relatively expensive in terms of time and development, when compared to rotomolding.

Blue Angel - 'precision formation' paddling, e.g. multiple boats following closely after one another.

Blunt - to perform a cutback elevated spin on a wave, while surfing.  A rodeo move defined as an elevated, cross-grain spin done while surfing. A blunt is similar to a cartwheel in appearance, but is performed on a wave, and it is uncommon to link more than one end at a time. The boater begins at the top of the wave, moving downward with forward momentum. When the boater nears the trough, they place the boat on edge, lean forward, and press down on the downstream blade. The current will sweep the bow downstream, quickly rotating the boat 180 degrees to land in a back surf.

Boat-Eater - A "monster hole" in a rapid, big enough to swallow a boat. Also known as a bus-stopper.

Boat Scout-  To scout a Boil - Unpredictable, swirling currents that disturb the surface of the water. Usually caused by subsurface rocks. A disturbance in the water formed by an upwelling, observable as a distinct crowning of the surface.

Boil Line - the center of a boil zone, specifically distinguishing where water separates in the direction it flows after welling up to the surface.  A hydraulic with a very distant boil line will be difficult to escape.

Boils – boils look like boiling water from the surface and are caused by water rebounding off the river bed. Large boils will intimidate beginning boaters as they are unpredictable and can push and pull at your boat in strange directions.

Bony - descriptive of a river or section of river where many rocks are showing or the probability of hitting them while paddling is high.

Boof - to lift the bow of a kayak or other craft, without diving the stern, in order to either avoid pitching forward off of a drop, or to climb the boat up on top of an oncoming feature. This refers to a technique for landing a freefalling boat flat on its hull. Originally called 'ski jumping' and 'pancaking'. A place or feature from which to launch. The product of such a launch.

Bottom - The part of the canoe that is under the water.

Bottom Brace - the practice of bracing or rolling using the bottom of a body of water, as opposed to using water to accomplish the task.

Boulder Garden - a rapid defined by boulders, rather than other features, such as slides, ledges, pourover, etc.

Boundary Layer - zone of turbulence that insulates a hull from the suction of laminar flow when planing.

Bow - Front end of a boat.

Bow-In - With the bow forward

Bow-Paddler, Bowman, Bow Person -The person who paddles in the bow.

Bow Plate - Another term for the stem band.

Bow Seat - The seat located at the front end of a canoe.

Bow Stall - to balance a boat with the bow down in the water.  A maneuver wherein the paddler balances the boat, bow down, in the water.

Bowman - A paddler who kneels or sits in the forward position of a canoe or kayak; also known as a bowhand.

Brace - Technique used to stabilize a tipping canoe or kayak and to prevent its capsize. To stabilize, or recover from instability, as capsizing. The "low" brace and "high" brace are two common techniques. The usual reference is to "throw" or "hang" a braceA specific part of kayak outfitting whose function is to hold the paddler in one place in the kayak, e.g. 'thigh braces' or footwell braces.

Brace Roll - another name for the c-2-c roll.

Bracing  - This is a stroke used to provide support and prevent the kayak from capsizing.

Bread and Butter - is widely recognized as the first combo move. The paddler completes a Pan Am and uses the bounce created from landing the move to throw a backstab or possibly back Pan Am.

Breakdown Paddle - A kayak paddle that separates in the center of the shaft for compact storage.

Breaking Wave - A large wave, usually at the bottom of a drop, with a crest that builds enough to break back on its upstream slope. This can create a surfing wave. When a standing wave gets large enough to break on itself, it creates a breaking wave. These waves (sometimes called stoppers) vary in size and strength depending on the volume and gradient of the particular river. These waves often build in cycles and then break back down on itself with a powerful effect. If you float into a breaking wave at the wrong time, it could break and capsize you. Some breaking waves make for really dynamic surf waves. See Stopper.

Bridle - A line looped around the front end of the canoe to which another is attached under the canoe and used for towing the craft.

Broach - To be turned sideways (in a canoe or kayak) by the force of a current and pinned against an obstruction. A dangerous position to be in. To become entrapped on the upstream side of one or more obstructions (rocks, trees, bridge pilings, etc). Can result in severe damage as the current's force warps the boat around the obstruction. See Pinned; Entrapment.

Broach Loop - secure points on a kayak to attach carabiners or fasteners in order to pull the boat out of a pin or broach situation.

Broaching - This is a point when the kayak is oriented to waves, currents or an obstacle.

Bulkhead - (generic) A wall inside a boat. Sealed compartment in a decked canoe or kayak. Bulkheads store flotation and other gear. A partition under the forward and aft decks inside which flotation blocks are attached. An outfitting mechanism that can move in order to provide foot support in a boat.  see also 'shock bloc.'

Buoyancy Bag - Common type of bladder flotation used in canoes and kayaks; also called a "float bag".

Buoyancy Chamber - An enclosed section of the canoe, typically located at the bow and stern and filled with foam or other buoyant material

Bungee - Elastic cord on a kayak deck used to secure gear and, behind the cockpit, for self-rescue outrigger construction.

Burly - descriptive of powerful or muscular water.  Big, intense and lots of holes!

Butt Boater - Affectionate term that C-boaters (see 'very strange people' apply to kayakers, who paddle seated.

C

C.G. - stands for 'Center of Gravity'.  CG is an imaginary point that describes the center of your weight/mass.

C.O.B - stands for 'Center of Buoyancy'.  Describes the center of water displaced by an object displacing it.

C-1 - One-person canoe for whitewater river running. The paddler kneels in the boat and uses a single-bladed paddle.

C-2 - Two-person canoe. Another term for C-2’s paddled by married partners is 'divorce boat', despite little indication that the name is deserved.

C-2-C - a type of roll in which the paddler begins underwater, set up with their torso curved up towards the surface, where the roll finishes with the paddler bent down towards the surface.  the torso curvature resembles the letter 'C', thus the name.  This roll is distinguished from the Steyr or Sweep roll by the fact that it's not reliant on a paddle sweep to work.  also referred to by some as the 'brace roll'.. a type of roll in which the paddler begins underwater, set up with their torso curved up towards the surface, where the roll finishes with the paddler bent down towards the surface.  the torso curvature resembles the letter 'C', thus the name.  This roll is distinguished from the Steyr or Sweep roll by the fact that it's not reliant on a paddle sweep to work.  also referred to by some as the 'brace roll'.

C-boat - is a craft which is used canoe-style- that is, the paddler kneels in the boat, and traditionally uses a one-bladed paddle.  the number designation refers to how many paddlers occupy the boat.  A C-boat can be decked, but the precise designation for an open C-boat is  - OC

C-Boater - a paddler who paddles with a one-bladed paddle, and sits in a kneeling position.  Often very fond of statements such as 'half the paddle, twice the man'. Also see 'masochist, 'looney', 'high tolerance for pain'.

C-to-C Roll - is one of the most common type of roll taught to newcomers, particularly whitewater paddlers, to the sport of Kayaking. It involves an initial torso rotation along the side of the kayak, so that the paddle moves across the surface of the water to a position at a 90 degree (right) angle to the kayak. The paddle is then pulled across and a hip snap is applied.

Cadence - The speed or tempo of paddling.

Cag - Brit term for 'drytop'. see drytop

Canadian Canoe - In Europe an open canoe is referred to as a Canadian or North American Indian canoe.

Canadian Roll / Canoe Roll - Similar to the C-to-C and screw rolls, this roll is adapted to combat the higher center of gravity of a C-1 or C-2 canoe and utilise the greater flexibility and reach of the paddler or paddlers. Assuming a right-handed paddler, the T-grip is held in the right hand and the shaft in the left. When upside down, twist round to the right and extend the paddle along the water surface as far as possible keeping it perpendicular to the boat. Pull the paddle "up" over your head. at some stage in the arc, approximately when the paddle is "vertical" it will need to be twisted around so that the other side of the blade can be pushed into the water. This is a good time for a nice strong hip flick. As the paddler starts to push down, they should lean forwards to reduce their moment. Like most rolls, the paddle should remain as close to perpendicular as possible through the roll. When used in a C-2 canoe one paddler must switch hands on their paddle before both complete the roll simultaneously. Before going out on the water both paddlers should agree on what mechanisms they will use to co-ordinate the roll so they know which one is switching hands (normally the front paddler as they have more room and so they don't get a paddle to the back of the head) and how the timing will work, such as initiate roll 2 seconds after the aft paddler taps the forward paddler's shoulder.

Canoe - Light, open boat propelled by one or more paddlers using single-bladed paddles from a kneeling or sitting position. Brit term for 'kayak'.  See C-boater

Canoe Pole - See Pick Pole.

Capacity - The amount of weight a boat can carry and still be safely operated.

Capilene - a plastic-based fiber used as insulation, has excellent wicking properties but poor wind-stopping behavior.  Best used in concert with a shell or dry garment.

Capsize - What happens when you are gobbled up in whitewater, or flipped by a combination of wind and waves, or-well, it shouldn't happen.

Carabiner - A clip, used to secure items into the boat, and to construct safety and rescue systems

Carbon - Organic element that creates a high-tensile fiber.  Prized for it's light weight and high rigidity when woven into a cloth and impregnated with resin.  Used to make paddles, helmets, boats, etc.  Maintains rigidity up to it's failure strength, but when it fails it tends to do so catastrophically.

Carnage - general term for a mishap, as in a boat flipping or someone falling out. The result of running a manky rapid and getting tweetered. Implies swimmers and a garage sale of gear floating down the river.

Carp - to raise one's head to the surface of the water in order to get air, as a carp (the fish) mouths the surface of the water.  This generally kills the momentum of the roll. The act of sucking air from beneath the surface of the water. Raft customers.

Carry -  to walk around, rather than navigate a feature (see portage). To carry a boat. A stretch of travel (as hiking) where carrying one's boat is required, e.g. 'the put-in to the run was at the end of an eleven-mile carry'. also see 'things I like to avoid'. See Portage.

Carrying Thwart - A brace that runs from gunwale to gunwale, typically with a cutout for the neck. It is sometimes padded and located just forward of the beam of the canoe. Used to portage the canoe on your back.

Cartwheel -  to rotate one's boat end for end vertically, for two ends. A rodeo move where the boat rotates lengthwise in the vertical plane for two ends. The kayak transitions from vertical to vertical, sideways, utilizing the "smash" technique of rotating your hips and boat against the paddle-torso configuration.

Carving - Carving involves moving back and forth across the face of a feature. This is accomplished by tilting the boat at an angle while using the paddle to press against the water near the downstream end of the boat. Carving may be gentle or aggressive, depending on the intended result.

Catch - the stroke used to initiate the stern on a cartwheel.  A braking stroke used in the hole to stay up on the pile.

Catch Something On The Fly - To drop onto a wave or into a hole from upstream.

CFS (Cubic Feet per Second)—Measurement of velocity of water flow at a given point in a river. Will vary according to water level and the gradient of the riverbed.

Channel - A stretch of passable water through shallows or among obstructions.

Charc  - squirt term.  A shortening of the phrase 'Charging Arc' or 'Changing Arc', it's used to describe the physical attitude with which one enters or exits a move in the water with respect to the other forces at work in that space/time.  More philosophically, the term has been used to describe one's relation to all things in life.  Charc in equals Charc out.

Charge/Punch - (as in "Punch that hole!") To paddle REALLY hard and power through something.

Chart - A map especially prepared for navigation.

Chicken Line - Straps on the sides of a raft for clients to hold on to if they get scared. Use caution as it can entrap arms and legs in a flip.

Chicken Out - to fail to do something through fear or lack of conviction to decide at the last moment not to do something you said you would do, because you are afraid

Chine (ChIn) - The boat's edge; where the sides and the deck intersect. The corner of the boat where the hull meets the sidewall. the quality of a chine can be referred to in terms of it's 'sharpness' or it's 'hardness', while 'softness' and 'roundness' convey the opposite meaning.  many variants have been offered for this term, often a marketing means of defining a specific boat offering, e.g. reverse chine, anti-trip chine, double-reverse chine, etc.  A soft chine refers to the angle that the deck and hull make when they meet, maximally 180 degrees. A hard chine refers to a more acute acute angle, approaching and angle of zero degrees. See 'rail'.

Chop - the process of reducing the volume of a glass boat by taking it apart at the lateral seams, removing material there, and then glassing the seams together. The result of the chopping process (e.g. that's a fairly aggressive chop for someone so heavy). 

Chop Chart - a reference for how deeply to chop a glass boat given variables such as paddler's weight, inseam, foot size, in order to make a custom-sized squirt boat.

Chunder - to viciously pummel.

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.

Current - a body of water in motion.

Cushions  - This is a type of pressure wave that tends to deflect boats and swimmers from the rocks that generated it.

D

Day Bag - see Dry Bag

Dead Reckoning - Distance calculated from time on the water and estimated paddling speed. A way of figuring your position based upon the influence of such things as currents and wind upon your projected course and anticipated speed.

Deck - Covering over the bow or stern of a boat. Prevents water from entering. The top surface of a kayak. Slang for Spraydeck

Deck Lines - lines on the deck of the kayak. Used to attach gear.

Defilade - A depression in the ground; where you foolishly pitched your tent just before it rains

Depth - The distance from the top of the canoe at the gunwales to the bottom of the canoe when measured at the beam. A good standard depth is about 13 inches.

Diagonal Wave: Waves that are angled diagonally in the river. Usually happen at high water. If not run correctly, these types of waves will flip rafts.

Difficulty -  see ratings

Dihedral - A feature of some paddles designed to eliminate flutter by directing water spillage toward the side of the blade by means of crowning or adding facets to the blade.  The result is a paddle blade with more than one angled surface on a single face.  More properly, dihedral is the difference in angle between one facet of a blade and the flat direction of the blade. For more information, consult Werner's explanation.

Directional Stability - The tendency of a boat to hold its course. See Tracking.

Displacement - the act of occupying the place where something else, usually water, would otherwise be.  Describes an operational mode of a hull, where it derives its float by occupying the space where water would otherwise be. distinct from planning.

Displacement Hull - Describes the sort of hull that is engineered to float by this means alone, as opposed to one that is engineered to take advantage of planing forces. A kayak hull that sits partially below the water displacing water.

Donkey Flip - The donkey flip is the easiest of the total vertical axis rotation wave moves. It begins with the same set up as a blunt with a drive down from the top of the wave to the bottom usually accompanied with an aggressive forward stroke and strong initiation of the bow on the side of the boat opposite to the direction of the move. After the bow is driven down on the off side it will begin to shoot back up, during which time the kayaker rotates his entire body to face the water hands outstretched in front of his head while they rotates their hips to get the back deck of their boat as close to their back and head as possible. In essence it is an airborne back-deck roll with the prime objective being hopping the boat into the air and rotating it over the body before it lands

Dory - Flat-bottomed rowboat made of wood, fiberglass or aluminum with upturned ends and flared sides. Rowed on whitewater rivers by a single boatman in the middle of the boat using a set of oars. Carries up to four passengers.

Double-Bladed Paddle - A paddle with a blade at each end, used in kayaks to paddle on each side of the boat.

Double Enders - Similar to a cartwheel, but older in origin. The transition in a double ender is

performed utilizing squirt, rather than smash, principles.

Double Kayak - This term refers to a kayak designed for two paddlers to operate at one time. It has two separate cockpits, and more cargo space than a single kayak. See Tandem

Double Pump - This is the move at the beginning of a cartwheel making the boat go up on its side and on the front into a bow stall. A double pump is the basic move to sink, or initiate, one end of the boat. The boater begins by simultaneously putting the boat on edge, making a quick forward power stroke, and leaning backwards. Immediately after this stroke, the boater leans forward and pushes down hard on the same paddle blade. The boat should now be perpendicular to the surface of the water, with the bow down in the water and the stern up toward the sky.

Downriver - of or proceeding in a direction equal to that of the river.  Distinct from park-and-play type activity.  Shorthand term for 'Downriver Race'

Downriver Race - A race, usually including whitewater, over a long distance on a river.

Downstream - In the same direction as the main current of a river.

Downstream Gate - A green-and-white-striped slalom gate negotiated in the same direction as the flow of the water.

Downtime  - Time spent underwater.  See mystery move

Draft - The depth of water necessary for a craft to float; the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the keel.

Drag - The resistance to forward motion. Drag may be decrease by use of special waxes.

Draw - A stroke pulling in toward the paddler at 90 degrees to the direction of travel. This causes the bow of a canoe to turn toward the drawing side when performed by the bowhand. A control stroke that pulls the blade of the paddle towards the boat. Variants: Open-faced, (where the power face of the blade faces oncoming water, a braking stroke) Closed- faced (where the power face of the blade does not face oncoming water, an accelerating stroke), stationary (where the blade is held in one position relative to the boat, as opposed to moving fore/aft) traveling (where the blade is moved relative to the position of the boat. closed-faced draws tend to be traveling), and sideslip (where the draw pulls directly in, the blade is feathered and slipped straight back out, then drawn back in again).  "Pry"

Draw Stroke - A stroke in which the blade is placed well out from the canoe and pulled directly toward the side of the canoe; designed to move the craft sideways.

Drip Rings - Rubber ring on a paddle shaft; positioned above the blade to keep water from running down onto the arms.

Drop - A steep, sudden vertical change in the riverbed. A distinct river feature, e.g. a ledge or pourover, that involves loss of altitude. a short, well-defined rapid or section of a rapid. Named for the abrupt drop in elevation between the top and bottom of the rapid. A distinct rapid. A drop taller than six feet is referred to as a "waterfall." This can be from a waterfall, ledge, chute, etc

Dropping In - It refers to an attempt to surf a wave or hole that another person is already using.

Dry Bag - A sack or bag used to hold vital gear and keep it dry in the event of a capsize or water coming into the boat. A bag with a foldover closure, notorious for allowing everything in it to become slightly wet.

Drysuit - a full-body suit with closures around the feet, wrists, and head.  Some come with feet-enclosing socks of latex or gore-tex.  the term 'dry' may be taken with a grain of salt. A waterproof nylon suit worn for protection in cold water. Features latex gaskets at neck, wrists and ankles plus a waterproof zipper. Offers no insulation; typically worn with long underwear. A lightweight, totally waterproof suit; usually worn in cold weather over heavy clothing.

Drytop - A waterproof nylon jacket (with gaskets at the neck, wrists and waist and a tunnel at the waist to mate up with the tunnel of your sprayskirt.) For cold-water paddling protection. Will keep you relatively dry so long as your skirt stays on the boat.

Ducky - Short for "rubber duck", an inflatable kayak that usually holds one paddler.

E

Ebb  - The outgoing tide and its associated currents; See Flood and Slack.

Eddy - Area downstream of an obstruction where water swirls in a direction different from that of the main flow, usually upstream. Since a boat will not move if positioned correctly in an eddy, it is used to rest or set up for the next set of rapids. To exit downstream current into stationary or upstream current, to enter an eddy. A region of water distinct from downstream current, where water may be still, moving slowly downstream, or moving upstream.  Eddies can exist behind obstructions, on the inside of river bends, etc.

Eddy Fence - another term for eddyline, usually descriptive of an eddyline that is difficult to cross or features an elevation difference between eddy water and main current. Obvious line in the river where current moves in opposite directions at each side. Also known as an "Eddy Wall". It usually develops at high water. The eddies become superelevated or super-depressed relative to the main current. The result is a turbulent wall that divides the eddy current from the main current. The eddies themselves sometimes become boiling whirlpools. See Eddie Line

Eddy Flower - paddler who habitually stays in the eddy when everyone else is playing.

Eddy Hop - To run a rapid in stages by catching the eddies as you go down. For some rapids, its a good way to scout.

Eddy Hopping - Using eddies to maneuver upstream or downstream.

Eddy Line - the interface between water moving in current and water in an eddy.  See 'funny water'.

Eddy Out - term used to describe leaving the main current and entering an eddy.

Eddy Turn - To leave the main current and enter the still water of an eddy. A necessary skill for river running. Opposite of a peel-out. A dynamic maneuver used to enter or leave an eddy.

Edges – the hard angles where the bottom meets the side of some whitewater models.

ELF - stands for 'extremely low flow', in reference to the volume of the streamflow one is negotiating.  ELF boating is popular among creekers using inflatable kayaks, and those who wish to slow things down and don't mind a bit of boat bashing.

Ender (or Endo) - A maneuver in which a boat stands vertically on its end in a hole or hydraulic. Kayakers do it for fun, but rafters try to avoid it. Playmove performed by engaging your bow or stern into oncoming water powerful enough to bury that end and bring the boat toward vertical.  The resulting vertical bounce is called an 'ender'.  This move is most impressive when done in longer, higher-volume boats.

Ending or Final Position - Each roll has a desired ending position. In a "layback" roll the torso will be lying on the back deck of the kayak at the end of the roll.

Entrance Moves - Kayakers can perform a variety of moves as they begin a surf on a wave if they are approaching it from upstream. It is considered an entrance move if the trick is the initiated on first contact with the feature, or before they reach the feature, and they stay on the feature afterwards. Entrance moves include, front loops initiated with a bow stall from above, back loops, initiated from a stern stall from above, and a variation of the donkey flip as the paddler paddles aggressively into the foam pile of a hole at an angle and uses the elevation difference to throw their boat over their body landing in a side surf.

Entrapment - An often dangerous situation in which a boat or paddler is held fast by current and/or an obstacle. See Broach; Pinned.

Eskimo Roll - The rolling over, or capsizing, of a kayak, with the paddler remaining in place, and the subsequent righting of the kayak. See Roll.

Eskimo Or "T" Rescue - Rolling in a kayak with the help of someone in a second kayak. See tip section for instructions.

Exploding Wave - a wave that builds and collapses unpredictably... or rather, builds when it's too late to avoid it, and collapses predictably on you.  See 'funny water'. Faceplant

F

Footbumps - feature on the deck of a kayak to accommodate one's feet.  Bone growth or spur on the foot caused by excessive irritation at a specific point, often a function of pressure points against the boat.

FPM: Feet Per Mile – This is used to describe a river’s gradient by how many feet the river drops in one mile.

Free Blade  - This refers to any paddle or propulsion device that is held in the hands and not attached to the boat.

Freeboard - The portion of a boat above the waterline.

Freestyle - a competition format wherein competitors perform non-compulsory tricks with no particular order imposed on their execution.  Any rodeo format.

Freewheel-. a maneuver in which the paddler swaps ends vertically in mid-air, done over the edge of a drop.

Front Loop - In a loop, the boater does a complete flip, landing in the same direction that the move was initiated. Loops are unlike most other moves in that the bow is initiated flat to the water, with no edge. The move is begun like a popup, with the paddler driving straight and flat into the most powerful part of the current on a feature. The boater leans forward, and the bow is swept down and the stern up. Once vertical, the paddler quickly leans backward to pop up out of the water, then powerfully drives forward to intentionally cause the boat to become over-vertical. If done properly, the stern should catch in the current and the boat will return to its starting position.

Front Surf - A front surf involves remaining on a feature of the river (such as a wave or a hole) without being washed downstream. From this position, many moves can be initiated.

F.T.R. - short for 'frigging the river', see also 'pogo'.  A maneuver wherein the paddler balances the boat on one end while bouncing the boat up and down. Freestyle Through Rapid, a competition format distinct from hole-riding where competitors use an entire rapid, rather than a single set of features, to score points.

Funny - What paddlers call water when they're not amused by it's behavior.  Descriptive of chaotic, pushy, swirly, or oddly-behaving water.

Funny Water -

Fuzzy Rubber - a stretchy plastic-based material with 'fuzz' on the inside, designed as a flexible alternative to neoprene.  Warmer than neoprene in air due to it's excellent air-trapping capabilities, but less effective at keeping one warm in case of immersion, due to it's poor water-trapping capabilities and general thinness.  Generic term for a garment made out of said material.

G

Gate - An obstacle through which a whitewater slalom kayaker paddles during competition. Consists of two vertical poles suspended just above the water.

Gauge Height - for measuring water levels at one or more locations. Reference point used with CFS (or in lieu of).

Gauging Station - A permanent device measuring the level of water at a given point.

Get-out - the location of the end of a run. To leave the run.  see 'take-out'.

Glassy wave - a wave that is not breaking, and whose surface is smooth and regular.

Gnar: Big, intense, difficult rapids.

Going off or to go off: To have a really sweet ride or if used to describe a creek or river, it means the water level's up and it's flowing.

Gore-tex - Trademarked name (owned by Gore Industries) for 'the original breathable laminate fabric'. Gore-tex is made of a micro-porous membrane that is laminated against a variety of non-waterproof backing materials.  It works by having the pores too small for liquid water to make it through the pores, while allowing gaseous exchange to take place- thus, it performs best where the thermal gradient across the membrane (that is, between your skin and the outside environment) is greatest- if you're warm and the water is cold, your body heat will drive vapor out through the micropores.  If the outside environment is very warm, however, the 'breathability' factor of Gore-tex will be reduced.

Grab Loop - Short rope loops on the bow or stern used for carrying the boat. The handles on the decks of most kayaks, there for the purpose of moving the boat or for swimmer rescues. For catching swimmers.

Gradient - Refers to the downhill slope of a riverbed over a specified distance, usually per mile. Refers to the steepness of a riverbed over a specified distance, usually per mile. Along with CFS and water level information, this helps paddlers draw a conclusion of a river's difficulty. See CFS and Class I-VI. Can also be expressed in feet per mile. (FPM). You can combine gradient and river flow information to make a generalization as to the difficulty and character of a particular run. Ex: Low-Volume Steep Creek (300 CFS, 200 FPM) or a mellow, high-volume run (10,000 CFS, 10 FPM).

Grain - a property of any feature that describes it's natural rotation or tendency to rotate objects that come within the scope of that feature.  For example, the grain of an eddyline on the river right bank (with water flowing by it on the right as you face upstream) would be described as 'clockwise'.  Likewise, the shoulder of a wave tends to support 'flat' spins toward the outside more easily than it does to the inside.

Green -

Green Water - This refers to the incoming water into a hole. The green water will pour over

Grinding - Grinding is splatting a large boulder or wall whilst remaining in the downstream current, and subsequently "grinding" along the face of the obstruction.

Grip - The control end of a paddle, opposite the blade. The two most popular shapes are the pear grip and the T grip. The former is used for general canoeing; the latter is favored by whitewater canoeists.

Guide Vest -

Gunwales (Gunnels) - Horizontal supports that run from one end of the boat to the other along the top of the hull. The upper edge of a boat's side.  For canoes, the gunwale is the top of the side-wall, for decked craft it is the point all around the boat's sides where the deck begins sloping up toward the center of the boat.

H

Hand paddle - a device one attaches to one's hands or forearms to increase their surface area.To negotiate a boat without a paddle or with hand-paddles only.

Hand Roll - This is rolling without the aid of a paddle. It is commonly employed for Canoe polo, as well as a trick during rolling practice or when the paddler runs a river without a paddle either intentionally or through loss or breakage. For the hand roll, the strength and timing of the hip flick are especially important, because the hands provide much less torque than a paddle blade. A common practice technique is to "swim" sideways to the side of the pool or another boat to pull yourself up while in the kayak. This gets the kayaker used to the motions. A swimming float, large pop bottle, or a diving fin can be used to increase the lifting effect of the hands until the technique is mastered.

Hand wheel -

Hard chines – sharp angles running lengthwise along the hull of a kayak that aid stability.

Hatch - Access port for storage on front and/or rear deck of a touring or sea kayak. Storage areas with covers.

Hatch Cover - The removable cover on top is called a hatch cover.

Haystack - A rhythmic series of waves caused by the convergence of main channel currents. Results from rising water, underwater obstacles or ledges, or an increasing river speed. Forms downstream of a gradient. These waves can be fun to ride, but can also be large enough to swamp an open canoe. See Standing Wave.

Head dink - This motion is also known as a head dink, or dinking. The saying goes, " better to dink than get dunked!"

Headwall - steep cliff where the main channel of the river drives against it at a 90-degree angle.

Heat - The early divisions of a competition, with the top finishers advancing to the finals or semifinals.

Helix -a spectacular play-move that involves an inverted spin and a complete barrel roll while surfing. 

Helmet - Plastic head protection worn by skiers, cyclists, roller bladers and whitewater canoeists.

Hero line - the most challenging (or challenging-looking) route through a given rapid or feature.  Opposite of 'sneak'.

HDPE - 'High Density PolyEthylene', a plastic.

Loose - the tendency of a kayak hull not to track while planing.  The ease with which a spin can be initiated while surfing.

Low Brace - A kayaking paddle maneuver to prevent capsizing. The paddle is held with hands low, elbows high and arms bent at nearly 90 degrees. As the kayak tips to one side the paddler reaches out and slaps the blade on the water to keep the boat upright.

Low Water - Flows below an expected average. More rocks and obstacles may show, rapids become more technical.

Lubber's Line - This refers to a mark or permanent line on a compass indicating the direction forward parallel to the keel when properly installed.

Macho Move - The kayaker enters and sustains a bow stall while drifting towards a wave or hole. As their boat enters the trough of the feature they pull down, driving their boat vertically into the water. As they move to the peak of the wave or hole the boat will also be rising from their pull down and they can perform a loop over the feature itself. Timed correctly the kayaker can achieve a higher trajectory loop than in flat water because the feature helps launch the boat.

Mank or manky - A shallow rapid filled with sharp, chunky rocks. In other words, a lot of nasty stuff to get tweetered on!

Maytag - pummeled, worked, chundered,etc). More slang similar to carnage.Tossing and turning of a boat in a river hydraulic. These often refer to being stuck in a hole and thrashed uncontrollably creating a feeling of being inside the spin cycle of a washing machine and underwater. An event that occurs when a surfer catches their upstream edge and is power-flipped upstream one or more times. also known as a window-shade. Also called a "Swirly".

McBerg Twist - A combination of a handstand and a loop. The paddler begins a flat spin, While doing a handstand on the center thwart but once the spin is commenced the bow is driven under water, The paddler reseats and the stern gradually rises out of the water during the spin. The paddler uses the pop coming out of the spin to complete a loop.

McNasty - A combination of a spin and a loop. The paddler begins a flat spin, but once the spin is commenced the bow is driven under water and the stern gradually rises out of the water during the spin. The paddler uses the pop coming out of the spin to complete a loop.

McTwist - A freestyle maneuver in which a paddler's boat is dynamically lifted and spun by the upstream water at the corner of a hydraulic or hole. The center of the boat stays in the same place in the backwash.

Mechanical Advantage System - a reduction mechanism that allows a person or persons to apply more force to a localized spot than they would be able to directly.  examples: an offset drag, a z-drag, or a lever.

Melt -the act of running a drop with the result of becoming one with the downward-moving slab of water, whether intentional or not.  As water falls, it's possible (if your course intersects with it) to literally 'melt' into it, as falling water will not float you.  This technique is used to go under a nasty hydraulic, with the intent of surfacing downstream.

Meltdown - This is to deliberately put your boat underneath a wave or hydraulic.

Mighty Move - a squirt maneuver that begins as an inverted (facing the rock) bowsplat against the pillow upstream of a rock or other feature that creates said pillow.  the paddler then releases their paddle, performs a 360-degree pirouette, picks up their paddle, and continues on.

Mobile Strainer - Floating debris moving downstream. Any object that creates an obstruction in the river and moves with the current. Stay away from them!!see 'flood stage'

Mold - A form used to make a canoe. A female mold is said to produce a male canoe; a male mold to produce a female structure.

Mouth - Where a river empties into another body of water.

Mush Move - a squirt maneuver where the paddler enters an eddy with speed, and glides the boat entirely underwater by winging their boat down into it.  Mush moves can go down quickly, but are difficult to sustain.  see also 'mystery move'.

Mystery Move - a squirt move that involves 'flying' your boat downwards, under water, using the interface at the top of an eddy called the 'squeeze'. This is the Holy Grail of squirt boat maneuvers. In a mystery move, the kayak and paddler submerge entirely into the flow of the river via total immersion into downward flow. Mystery moves can be done in plastic kayaks, but are usually unintentional.

Nautical Mile—Distance equal to 6,000 feet or 1.15 statute miles. One minute of latitude is equal to one nautical mile. The most convenient measure of distance for sea travel.

Neck Gasket—The rubber seal on a drysuit neckline that prevents water from getting into the suit. Drysuits also have wrist and ankle gaskets.

Neoprene - Flexible foam rubber used for paddling clothing among other things. Air bubbles in the construction make it buoyant and a good insulator. Neoprene used for paddle clothing and wetsuits is usually coated with Lycra® spandex on one or both sides.

New Yorker - a client who whines and complains.

Newbie - person 'new' to the sport.

Non-boater - a strange breed with incomprehensible values.  Alas, a bridge too far.

Nose Clip—Padded wire clip to keep water out of the nose. Used for roll practice, rescues or anytime you're likely to be upside-down underwater.

O

Oar - a device used to propel/navigate a craft that uses fulcrums on the side of the boat.  Essentially, it's a paddle that attaches at some point to the boat.  Distinct from a paddle in that an oar is generally held by the end, rather than at the middle. A long blade, attached to the boat by an oarlock on thole pin, and used to row

Oar Boat—Inflatable, 16- to 18-foot-long raft generally made of Hypalon or urethane (durable high-tech materials have replaced the old "rubber" raft). Powered by a guide sitting in the middle on a metal frame and using a set of long oars. See Paddle Raft.

Oar Rig - A boat rigged with oars, so one person sitting in the center of the boat can row

Obsession - see 'kayaking'.

Off Side - The side opposite to the side where the canoeist is paddling.

Offset - The difference, described in degrees, of rotation on the paddle shaft from one paddle blade to another.  see also 'feather'.

Offset Waves - A series of waves that develop and curl from different angles and sides, and end up colliding into each other. Boaters paddling through offset waves are treated to a wild ride.

Offside Roll - An "offside roll" begins with the paddle parallel to the boat on the side of the paddler's shaft hand. The paddle is flipped over, swung close to perpendicular to the boat,and brought over the boat to the side of the paddler's T-grip hand. The paddle motion alone provides very little leverage as the paddle can't move through the water very far. This does not allow for very much force to be applied to the paddle and a hip flick is essential for the offside roll to succeed. It can be used in a C-1 but also can be used by one paddler of a C-2 in order to roll the boat in the same direction as the other paddler, without having to actually switch which side their paddle is on. Knee straps or ties are normally essential to allow the paddler to twist the canoe with their lower body and so that they can stay in the boat while it is upside down. Similar techniques are used for open canoes.

Oil-canning - term used to describe the tendency of unsupported plastic hulls to pop concave over time.  The deformation is not permanent, but rather resembles the action of an old-style oil can (the sort you squeeze oil out of by inverting the can, pointing the nozzle at what you want oiled, and popping the bottom in and out.  The action is very similar to those bottle caps that 'pop' out when you break the seal on the container.)

One-shot-wonder: A catch-on-the-fly wave.

Open Boater -

Open Canoe - The standard North American canoe.

Outfit - To equip a canoe for a particular purpose.

Outfitter - Commercial companies that supply all necessary equipment for wilderness travel.

Outfitting - padding and gear in a boat used to secure the paddler in it.  See also 'bondage gear'.

Outrigger—A projecting support with flotation attached that prevents a boat from capsizing. A paddle float and paddle create an outrigger for kayak self rescue.

Outside Bank - The outside of a bend.

Outwale - The outside gunnel.

Overboard -  "Man overboard."

Over-the-bars - To be thrown from your boat head first.

P

Paddle - to propel a boat by means of a paddle or oar. A navigational instrument used to propel a boat.  A kayak paddle has two blades, a Canoe paddle has one blade.

Paddle Assist - see Stern Rig

Paddle Float - Self-rescue flotation device that, when used with a paddle, creates an outrigger to balance a kayak for re-entry. Typically made of foam or inflatable vinyl.

Paddle Jacket - a garment worn while paddling, typically without wrist or neck gaskets.

Paddle Raft - Usually just smaller oar boats with the rowing frame removed. The boat is powered by a group of paddlers sitting on the side tubes and using canoe paddles. Used on faster whitewater rivers.

Painter - Rope attached to bow or stern of a boat, used for tying up at shore. Usually from 15 to 25 feet long

Pan Am -

Pawlata Roll - The Pawlata is another of the common types of roll taught to newcomers, particularly to sea kayakers. First, the paddle is placed alongside the kayak then shuffled forwards until the kayaker grasps the blade of the paddle with one hand and the shaft just in front of it. The paddle shaft is then pushed so that the free end moves "downwards" out of the water, then the torso is rotated so that the paddle is at a 90 degree angle (perpendicular) to the kayak. The kayaker than pulls the paddle 180 degrees over the boat keeping it perpendicular. A hip snap can be performed to help rotate the kayak, although with the massive leverage it is not always required, hence why it is normally the first roll beginners learn. The downsides to this roll are that the kayaker needs to shift their grip on the paddle which could lead to them losing it in turbulent waters and that the paddle is not immediately ready for use when righted. Because of the position change of the paddle, this is quite a slow roll which is a strong consideration in white water racing.

Pearl - from the expression 'pearl diving', to engage an end into oncoming water such that that end dives.  The term comes to kayaking by the way of board surfing.

Pearling -  Occurs when your bow gets buried in the current or wave deep enough to upend your stern. Usually happens when trying to surf a wave.

Peel Out - The process of exiting an eddy and allowing the oncoming water to turn you to face downstream in the process. To leave an eddy and enter the main current by leaning into it. See Eddy Turn.

Pencil - to enter the water vertically from a drop, going deep.  If the water is shallow and you hit bottom, you've 'pitoned'.

Perimeter lines – lines ringing the kayak.

PFD (Personal Flotation Device)—The Coast Guard's official name for a life jacket or life vest. The law requires a PFD for every passenger of all watercraft. It's your most important life-saving tool on the water. See also 'rescue vest'.

Phonics Monkey - The Phonics Monkey is a combination of two moves. Performed within a hole or "stopper" in which the paddler begins performing a pirouette but instead of dropping into a regular surf upon finishing, the paddler uses the pop coming out of the pirrouette to perform a loop.

Pick Pole -  A pole used to propel a canoe. Also called a "canoe pole."

Pike - The iron point on a canoe pole.

Pile - the mass of water in a hydraulic on the upstream side of the boil line, falling into the trough. Generic term for fleece clothing.

Pillar – a column usually under the bow deck which provides support

Pillow A cushion of water that often forms on the upstream edge of large boulders. In big rapids the pillow is big enough to shove the bow or stern of a raft safely away from a boulder, a fact that boaters sometimes use to their advantage while running a rapid. Water that builds up around a rock in the main current. Pillows are stuffed with rock. A gentle bulge on the surface of the water caused by an underwater obstruction. All such pillows have hard centers.

Pimp: To hit a sweet line; it couldn't have been run better.

Pin - to lodge in place under the pressure of water.  A situation in which one is stuck in place. Being stuck between the current and the river bed or an obstruction such as a rock or log and unable to dislodge. Not fun; possibly deadly!

Pinned - To be held in place by the current, usually against a rock or other obstruction. It's a dangerous situation for boaters. See Broach and Entrapment.

Prys - These are strokes that are performed by levering the paddle shaft against the side of the boat.

Purchase - The application of power on a paddle to get leverage.

Pushy - descriptive of chaotic water that forcibly moves one around, typical of higher-volume or constricted, turbulent flows. See 'funny water'.

Put-in -The starting place of a paddling trip- beginning of a run; where you put your boat in the water. See Take-Out.

Q

Quality - Good. Used as in "That's quality!"

Quartering - Running at an angle to the wind or waves; a technique for riding over waves At A Slight Angle to avoid burying the bow in a standing wave.

R

Raft Up - To bring two or more kayaks side-by-side and link them for extra stability. Used for resting or for tasks that require some extra stability, such as changing a roll of film or adjusting foot pegs.

Rail slide -

Reading The Water - Determining water conditions by the appearance of water formations; used in determining the appropriate route through rapids. Being able to see common aspects of river rapids, I,e current lines, rocks, clear channels, eddy lines, ets. By recognizing these things paddlers will be able to choose the safest path for their boat.

Rebar - Metal reinforcement rods used to build dams, bridges and etc. They are usually exposed in broken down dams.

Recovery Stroke - Not really a stroke, but getting ready for the next stroke.

Reflection Wave - When water meets an obstacle, such as a cliff, waves bounce off, often at strange angles to the flow of the river. Also called a "diagonal wave" or "reaction wave".

Rescue Pack - A special pack in which is kept all rescue equipment.

Rescue Vest - A PFD with a built-in quick-release harness, suitable for use either in towing or rescue scenarios.  Also known as a 'guide vest'.

Retarded Loop - Performed the same as a loop but the second half of the roll (from upside down to right side up) starts as the hull breaks the surface of water.

Retendo - a rodeo move that results in the paddler falling back into the hole.  Derived from the word 'retentive'.

Retentive - describes the tendency of a hydraulic to keep a floating object.  see 'keeper', 'sticky'.

Reversal - Where the current curls back on itself; usually treacherous. May be caused by large obstructions, either on the surface or underwater. Reversals also may be known as souse holes, hydraulics, curlers, or back rollers. Central term for a wave that drops over an obstacle and curls back on itself in a stationary. See Hydraulic.

Reverse Sweep - A wide, turning stroke made by pushing the paddle blade from back to front in a large C shape.

Reverse Wheel -

Ribs - Structural supports spaced at intervals along the inside of a canoe. Curved strips from gunnel to gunnel that form the shape of a wooden canoe hull; may also be used to add strength to the hull.

Riding the Wash - Gaining an unfair advantage in sprint events by traveling in the wash of the next boat and being pulled along by it.

Riffle - A shallow section of river characterized by numerous small waves on the surface. Often caused by gravel bars or sandbanks.

Riffles (Shallows)  - Light rapids where water flows across a shallow section of river. Shallow, rocky water characterized by many small waves.

Right Bank - The right side of the river when facing downstream.

Right of Way - a legal doctrine derived from practical experience used to determine whose fault a collision was.  Not a binding legal doctrine on rivers, although it's been codified among surfers.  for more, read articles on river etiquette and surf etiquette.

Rips - Rapids.

River -

River Mile - This refers to a distance in miles from the mouth of the river.

River-Left - On the left side of the river, facing downstream.

River Rating - A measure of the difficulty of a rapid or a river

River-Right - On the right side of the river, facing downstream.

Rock Spins - Mounting a rock so that the boat is clear of the water, then placing the paddle into the water and pulling on it to rotate the boat through 360 degrees or greater before sliding into the water

Rock Garden - A navigable waterway filled with rocks; requires constant maneuvering by the canoeist.

Rockagator - A sullen rock hiding in the rapids which the bow paddler failed to detect until after it reached up and smacked the canoe, sometimes hard enough to cause a capsize or hangup.

Rocker - Describes the curvature of a boat's keel line from the center to the ends. The more rocker a boat has, the easier it is to turn. A measure of hull curvature along the bow-stern dimension of a kayak- as the boat sits flat, rocker defines how much the ends sit 'above' the low point in the hull.  Rocker serves the purpose of helping the boat to deflect 'upwards' when coming in contact with water.  Boats with high rocker are typically excellent for technical water, but suffer challenges in terms of tracking and speed when compared to less-rockered boats. Whitewater boats have a lot of rocker where sea kayaks do not. Increased rocker allows for quicker maneuverability.

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