Just two weeks until the release of our special Rapid Creeking issue, so here is the third and final video in a series of how-to boof instruction from Liquidlogic's Shane Benedict and the Whitewater Instruction (WI) crew.

This post continues from the previous Learn to Boof (basic) and Eddy Boof posts, and explores how to boof straight off a drop and stick a stylin' fader, or "Flying DelVergne," boof. With the addition of these two, says WI, your boofing arsenal should be nearly complete. Read on for detailed instructions that break these moves down into three easy steps.

The Straight and Fader Boofs from Whitewater Instruction on Vimeo.

The most important thing to remember about boofing is that each location requires some adjustment to these basic techniques. Just remember, keep your weight centered over your boat.

The Straight Boof, according to Benedict:

Step 1: The Approach - Approach the lip of the drop as straight on as possible—not necessarily perpendicular, but close enough. The main thing is to have your momentum moving straight away from the drop when landing so you make it to where you want to go. Speed is good, just don’t get so much you miss your stroke timing. A well timed boof stroke will help you out much more than speed.

Step 2: The Boof Stroke - A vertical paddle stroke is crucial. This will help direct all your momentum forward instead of turning your boat off the lip. Plant your paddle blade on the lip of the drop and pull through. Your boof stroke will be longer than a typical paddle stroke, so keep pulling past your hips. Make sure you are pulling your paddle straight so that you don’t turn at the last minute.

Step 3: The Body - A combination of slight edging and a vertical paddle will help you accelerate straight off of the drop without danger of spinning out. The less water on the lip, the more important it is to focus on keeping your boat flat and driving straight. Often, if the lip is shallow, the boat will catch on rock and can easily rotate, landing you sideways in a nasty pourover.

 

The Fader Boof:

Step 1: The Approach - The Fader is probably the most technical boof. Approach the drop with angle, sometimes almost parallel to the lip. Once at the lip, look where you want to land, which should be off to one side of your bow. Think of it kind of like hitting a berm on a bike; before entering the berm you want to be looking straight into it, but once in it you want to be looking at your exit point.

Step 2: The Stroke - Think of your paddle as the pivot point of your boof. Your stroke should start off as a bow draw to pull your boat around the pivot point, and end with a strong pull. Keep your paddle vertical to get the most effective pivot, a sweep stroke or low paddle won’t help you out at all. Once you’ve drawn your bow around to the desired angle, close your paddle blade and pull straight through like a normal boof stroke. Keep that paddle vertical!

Step 3: The Body - Don’t be afraid to lean out over your stroke and really pull yourself around. For the fader to be effective, you have to be aggressive and lean into it. Look at where you want to land. As you are finishing your stroke, flatten the boat back out and land with the boat flat. This edge transition happens in the last part of your stroke, as you are pulling the paddle past your hips.

Learn more creeking skills at Whitewaterinstruction.com.

Photos courtesy Whitewaterinstruction.com

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VIDEO: Learn How to Eddy Boof