support unicef Support American Whitewater!

[please login to make this ad block disappear]

C1: freestyle, off side stern squirts

A short, but good article about off side stern squirting, by Scott Wiltshire.

Offside stern squirts are very boat dependent, especially on a "mild" eddy line. Obviously with a reverse sweep on the on-side there is a lot of leverage for squirting, squirting off a cross-draw requires more balance, finesse and timing and is only really possible in a boat with a low volume stern (an atom is probably the biggest boat this can be done in).

The technique is the same as for on-side squirting: cross the eddy line at not quite perpendicular to the current, exactly when the stern rail starts to contact the current (ie when the cockpit is roughly centred over the eddy line or a little afterwards) edge the boat upstream on the stern rail and start the cross-bow draw to lever the stern down. It is important to have your weight to the back of the boat of course.

Further tips:

  • It does require a bit of flexibility to be able to do a cross-bow stroke while having your weight on the back deck rather than forwards. The most common mistake is to lean the whole boat upstream, Wrong! lean just the appropriate stern rail into the current (think of the boat as having 4 distinct side edges and lean to one of them
  • although with modern playboats I like to think of the boat having 6 side edges). Don't rush, just drift into the current, the move requires no speed but plenty of timing.

Offside squirting isn't easy, here are some neat tricks which will turn a lot more heads. These are only achievable in a (short) boat with a lowish volume bow though:

  • an eddy line bow pivot off a back sweep or on-draw (break in backwards from an eddy where you would normally on-side squirt)
  • initiate a bow pirouette from an cross-draw when crossing the eddy line (from an eddy where you would squirt on the offside)

Article by [mail address protected from spambots with javascript]

Forums

Login to post here

paul.robertson added a video. 9 hours 13 minutes ago

Coffee with Chips – a downstream diary:...

The @CardiffInternationalWhiteWater Kids Academy is a well established programme to give the Groms opportunities to get out on river and places they...

PeteNewport added a video. 11 hours 56 minutes ago

Reflecting on all the journeys we’ve been a part...

As the year winds down, we’re reflecting on all the journeys we’ve been a part of. Thank you for letting Sawyer paddles and oars be there for the...

PeteNewport added a video. yesterday

Thanks for letting Sawyer be part of your story...

From calm fishing mornings to wild rafting weekends, your adventures inspire us. Thanks for letting Sawyer be part of your story this year....

danejackson added a video. yesterday

"A classic!" | RIO FLORIN

RIO FLORIN The Florin is a shorter but epic section that has a couple super unique drops, plus a couple fun rapids in between for good measure. By...

jblakeney added a video. yesterday

TAHE 2024 #endlessplaytime

[TAHE 2025] We are ready to dive into new adventures, push new limits, and make waves together. Next year, we’re not just chasing adventures—we’re...

MaurusStrobel added a video. yesterday

Gunnar breaks down the sizes of the new Indiana...

MaurusStrobel added a video. 2 days ago

Gunnar introduces the Indiana Barracuda High...

Foil Designer Gunnar Biniasch talks you through the new Indiana Barracuda High Aspect Foil. Order your Barrcuda here:...

danejackson added a video. 4 days ago

"The SICKEST drop!" | NEWEN

SALTO NEWEN There are very few drops out there that are as perfect as Newen, one of the best drops in Chile and definitely the world. It's almost as...