Playboating Tips that'll Get You Spinning! - Mind Body Paddle

Playboating Tips that’ll Get You Spinning!

Playboating Tips that’ll Get You Spinning!

Spinning in a hole is a basic whitewater kayaking playboating move that teaches you how to work with the water and also how to set yourself up for harder tricks. It’s super fun and when you get in the groove on a good feature you can spin forever! I love the feeling of dancing with the water 🙂

I’ve created a teaching video using GoPro footage I took while paddling the Big Laurel River near Asheville, NC where I live.

When we paddle this river during Creek Week and I encourage my students to practice their spins because  playboating also improves your creeking!

Here are my key points for how to enter a hole and spin:

  • Ferry into the hole and don’t let your bow drop too soon. Your boat has to be in the hole and retentive before you can actually side surf.
  • When side surfing look upstream longer than you think you need to. When you see your stern out of the corner of your eye then you know it’s time to switch.
  • When you switch to look over your opposite shoulder do it quickly. No looking downstream. Remember that wherever you look is where you boat will go. If you want to stay retentive you’ve got to keep your eyes on the hole.

Watch the video with narration and you’ll be on your way to spinning like a champ!

I’d love to hear from you so please post in the comments below! If you’re looking to boost your playboating or creeking skills check out my private instruction offerings!

From the blog

How I reset my roll

OK, stop. Do one of your demo quality rolls. My husband made his request while laughing AND in a tone that I also knew he meant business. I had been carping rolls all morning and it was freaking me out, but it was frustrating to Andrew because he knows that I know how to roll.

Read More »

How to Make a Healthy Transition to Fall Season

Fall boating season is officially here, and if you want to stay healthy in body and mind to shred your favorite rivers, read on. According to Ayurveda, fall season is Vata (Air/Space) season. The qualities of Vata include variable, rough, dry and cold. The variable weather combined with the raggedness that comes with the end

Read More »

Start your reset now

Do you need a reset, but you’re not sure where to start? Last week I got to do two of my favorite resets and you may be interested in them too. The first was a week-long technology reset on a backcountry Main Salmon River trip. I collaborate with Canyons River Company on this trip every

Read More »

Get in touch!

Do you have a question? Would you like to connect and have a conversation or learn more about an upcoming retreat? Fill out the form below.

;