Big Drops and the Zen of Boofing

Many paddlers think that the only requirement for running waterfalls is Guts. Wow, are they wrong! Running challenging drops, especially the style of whitewater that is common in the creeks of the Pacific Northwest, is all about your ability to keep your bow up and keep your boat on the surface at all times. Without good boofing technique, this is not possible.

In this clinic, we will focus on the techniques necessary to stick your boof every time: stroke placement, timing, body positioning, lateral momentum, edge transitions, and smooth and fast landings.

On the river, we will use correct boofing technique to clear over holes, drop into tight eddies, and run vertical drops. In addition to the skills needed to successfully boof everytime, we will focus on combining these skills with the good judgment and decision making practices to needed to approach the bigger rapids. We'll discuss and practice aspects of big drop running such as: scouting, the approach and the landing, the decision to run or walk, setting safety, and boofing verses plugging.

Learn to Boof Every Time with Wet Planet!

The course is led by Wet Planet Instructors Andy Round, Heather Herbeck, and Todd Collins. Get out on the water with these Wet Planet creek fanatics, and enjoy the opportunity to improve your boofking skills.

Rivers: Wind River (Shiperds Falls), White Salmon River, Farmlands, West Fork of the Hood, East Fork of the Lewis; river choice depends upon water levels.