What is the proper landing position for a rafter when doing a bigger vertical drop like a large ledge or waterfall?

When I rafted Pilchuck Falls this weekend I scooted forward off the rear thwart into the center bay with my shins on the forward thwart. When vertical it would have looked like I was kneeling on the forward thwart. I did this to prevent my legs from sliding under the thwart, but on landing my weight slammed foward and it felt like I had just done the splits (which I am not flexible enough to do!).

This left me wondering whether I would have been better off doing it another way?

Kyle

Edited by Wiggins - 19 Nov 2013 at 1:24pm

Thanks Jed. I will try that when I go do flip practice later this week.

Kyle

fu*kin showboater

Edited by jP - 20 Nov 2013 at 12:38am

So, here is one of those rare instances in boating where I envy the Tall Guys. Because that is ergonimicly a solid stance Jed described and illustrated- perfect photo for this topic, huh? Damn you guys crushed it. Two good kayakers who also are great rafters = some solid results when it comes to boofing rafts.

As a smaller guy though, I tried that stance and it puts a lot of strain on my hips and knees. Not good for me. It spreads me out sitting like that. I either need to sit ahead of or behind that center thwart (I can slide a little so my torso is still mostly in the center). As a small guy I like being compact between two twarts.

I agree w/ jed that keeping the bow up is key boofing a raft or running the steeps. Otherwise, a verticle plug is gonna crash you most likely. So paddling in sync as a pair is vital before you plant and pull that final boof stroke. And thats all timing.
As far as keeping the bow up, obviously shifting your weight back some can help w/ that too. But as you can see in the photo Jed n Fish are centered on the boat, which is definitely more important racing, and you can see by how far they are/aren't leaning back that they are centered in their own equilibrium similar to when they are boofing in a kayak. Look how symetrical they are relative to each other. That raft looks like a kayak. That's a phat boof.

You can also do the "Hussum Falls Get Down" when you run drops that will throw you out or "bath tub" your boat and float/flush you out. Crouching/wedging yourself on the floor between the twarts. Is that what you were describing, Kyle?

While straps handles help in that situation, they can also contribute to a flip if you fling out of the raft and hold onto them, or if someone else does. Thats why one company on the white salmon does not use any straps or holds. Keeps a rafter who is falling out from dooming everyone else, and personally, if I get flung out I'd love a chance that the raft might flatten out in an upright position- its one less step if you dont have to right your craft before climbing in. But the issue of straps or not is a double edged sword. Double Drop on yhe Green Truss is an example of a rapid where having a strap to hold onto really helps stay in the boat. I learned that the hard way the first time. Held on the second time!