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Backferry, not Blackberries!

By Elizabeth Sinclair (Article originally appeared in CanoeSite News)

Yes, it is easy to be misunderstood, isn’t it? Your stern paddler – the person in the back seat of the canoe – could just be telling you to go to shore. On the other hand, perhaps not. Well, which is it, you wonder, from the front seat, or bow of the canoe? Are we going to run this rapid and if so, how? Or do we walk around it, picking berries along the trail that leads around that maelstrom of whitewater?

Walking is appealing with its abundant opportunities to snack along the trail. But, with that comes (for some of us) a sense of defeat and disappointment. Yet, the alternative presents a new dilemma. How are we going to survive this rapid? The argument rages on: power forward as fast as possible or be a wimp and slow down. Of course, we know what the usual response is and we have seen plenty of people flipping and swamping to prove it.

Well, after a dozen years behind a paddle, I think I have figured it out. Communicating (another article topic) with your partner, you must make quick decision and set up: then paddle in, pull forward hard or paddle in, pull backward hard. Usually, one bad decision has a devastating effect so it is very important to know, ahead of time, which you are going to do.

Bill Mason, Canadian paddling icon and celebrated author and filmmaker, is probably the person most referenced, especially by new paddlers, when it comes to paddling technique. His books and movies are very widely honoured, as is his advice. Most of us, once we become obsessed with the sport, consider his first book, Path of the Paddle, required reading.

However, while reading explains the basics, only hands-on experience makes a good paddler and having river reading skills as well as paddling technique is "de rigeur." The trick is to know which technique to use in any particular river condition. Bill talks about many paddling techniques and the backferry is probably the most difficult concept to grasp. Yet, it is one of the most important and miraculous maneuvers you will use. While its primary function is to slow you down in big water the technique also gives you control of the canoe's trajectory in the case of obstacles you must avoid. Sometimes you need to slow the boat down to achieve this, while other occasions require you to power at full speed, or as Bill puts it: "turn on the coal," with the help of a backferry technique.

Bill discusses two types of backferries and herein begins the confusion. To grasp the concept of the backferry, keep in mind that two types are possible for distinct occasions and with distinct techniques. Two concepts are vital to both. The first is that the technique requires backward paddling; the second is that both paddlers must do this in unison or the boat will turn incorrectly. Without these, the backferry will not work. The boat may (will, most likely) lean upstream because the current is pushing along its length at the waterline causing a natural upstream tilt. Water will rush in over the gunwales unless you are both quick enough with a low brace and a body lean downstream. If you panic and grab the gunwales, it could be worse.

The first occasion (figure1) is fairly easy to picture. When a rocky chute or abrupt narrowing funnels moving water, haystacks are often produced below it. These piles of water can be several feet high. When your bow plunges into them, your canoe will fill up and swamp, whereby you will lose control and float (sometimes very swiftly) into the drink. The remedy is simple. You have only to slow down so as to rise over the top of the peaks rather than diving into them. The necessary action is for bow and stern to paddle backwards. Figure 1 (pg.65) Technically, this is not a true backferry but backpaddling to make your canoe go slower than the current. Angling your canoe into the waves will greatly improve the effect and minimize waves washing inside. The canoe now floats up over the waves rather than plunging through them. Timing is critical: slow down on the rise and speed up a bit on the fall. You will stay relatively dry and in glorious control. If you refer to Path of the Paddle, you will find Bill giving you this exact advice although in a longer version. Check page 85-8

 

Now, the second occasion is a little more complicated. In fact, I am going to discuss it after I talk about the Ottawa River. The reason for this divergence is that the Ottawa presents conditions directly related to the first occasion, described above.

Now, you may have perfected your backferry. I know I have, but my advice to you is to stow it on the Ottawa. This river is full of holes and diagonal waves and is rated in the international rapid-rating scale (Grade 1 to 6, with 6 being a falls) in low water, at grade 4 and 5. The haystacks are below the holes and you will not make it to them unless you are in a kayak. The trick on the Ottawa is to paddle very aggressively across the diagonal waves which can easily reach from shore to shore.Set up to the left or right but inside the vee, then power hard across the diagonal wave to the outside and then around the hole and the haystacks – easy once you have it. I should know: I made the backferry mistake once, only once This resulted in my staying inside the vee and being swept into the hole, turning the canoe upside down, dumping me into the hole while the canoe carried on downstream. The hole has a nasty recirculating current which keeps you rolling around on the rocks until such time as it decides to spit you out. Hles are nasty items when you are swimming (?) them, especially for legs.

Now, understanding the second application for a backferry will help if you first get a picture of it in your mind (figure 2.) I recommend doing this before you encounter a backferry situation. That is, you need to know what to do before you find yourself in a big current that is sending you into the sweepers or overhanging trees and rocks at the outside of a bend in the river. The key is to plan ahead. I recommend that you do not wait until you are in the corner current before acting. Get ready, set up and paddle whether backferrying or powering through the diagonals.

If you have ever sailed, you will understand how keeping the sail slightly off the wind creates and controls wind power. You can control the amount of power by moving the sail. The same principle applies in current as in wind. The backferry principle requires you to understand that three things work together to create one effect. 1) The bow of the canoe must point upstream to some degree. This angle must be judged and set only by the stern paddler who can see the entire canoe. 2) The degree of angle depends on the strength of the current: the stronger the current, the steeper the upstream angle. That is, the more upstream the bow must be pointing. …3 This angle controls how much force of water is exerted on the upstream side of the canoe. 3) Once the angle is set, bow and stern stoke the coal in a backward motion. Figure 2 (pg.111) The backward motion and angle together counterbalance the predominant action of the current on the canoe. The canoe floats gently, angled to one side and safely downstream, away from danger and in glorious control. If the backferry is not working, the angle is wrong or you have not turned on enough coal. At this point, only the bow paddler can fix the angle. Keep in mind that it may take a few strokes to work, so do not quit. Keep paddling.

Backpaddling and backferring are such useful techniques and can actually stop the canoe in the current as well as safely save your bacon. Use them when you need some time to think about what to do next. But remember, if either paddler stops paddling, the manoeuvre will not work. Your canoe may crash into the rocks and trees perhaps dump and get pinned under the water. In a backferry, unless both paddlers brace and lean downstream, the boat will flip: end of manoeuvre: beginning of swim. On the other hand, you can eddy out above the rapid, which isn't so bad. You can make blackberry pie for dinner.

References:

Bill Mason, Path of the Paddle, Key Porter Books, Toronto, 1984

Other Mason books of interest: Bill Mason, Song of the Paddle, Key Porter Books, Toronto, 1988 Paul Mason and Mark Schriver, Thrill of the Paddle, Firefly Books, Toronto, 1998

   
IncredibLE COULONGE F or city folks and other types, you might think escaping the crowd and the beaten path is just a dream. Or, perhaps you are somewhat experienced in the weekly pilgrimage to Algonquin Park. You may even know that family camping trips to the supposed “wilderness” experience are just another well-worn odyssey to the pedestrian near-north of Ontario. Perhaps you would like a change. Consider though, if you seek something a little more remote, be prepared for some challenges in finding your way. You may have heard the old adage that the more portages you are from the parking lot, the fewer people you will find. On the other hand, if the parking lot is not obvious, you will limit the traffic even further. If you have an extra day or two, consider La Belle Province de Quebec. Venturing beyond the familiar borders of Ontario’s most famous provincial park is a true delight and if you have an extra day or two to drive, consider exploring Quebec. With a little bit of research and the right questions, you will be surprised to find some very real wilderness experiences in La Belle Province. If you plan it right, you will not find parking lots, signs, camping control officers, or bus shuttles. The Coulonge River is a very good first choice, with plenty of flatwater, gentle moving water, a few rapids and falls and few people. You will experience long sections of current in which you can sit back and relax, letting the river push you along. Many campsites along the way reflect the sandy nature of the river while rocky outcrops provide picturesque spots to pitch a tent, prepare a meal and enjoy a swim. This river begins in La Verendrye Reserve, flowing south and then east to the Ottawa River. You may gain access to the river either by airplane or bush road. However, if you decide on the bush road, be prepared to drive for two-three hours in from the highway. Also, you need to plan ahead by leaving a vehicle at the end of the trip. Also, expect to have to retrieve your vehicle at your starting point as well, after finishing the trip. Alternatively, you may select from three shuttle services in the area. Local outfitters will load you and your gear into their vehicle and take you to the start point and drop a vehicle for you at the end point. Depending on the number of trip participants and your starting point, this could cost $35+ each. Hiring a shuttle service is, by far, the best choice, saving time, wear-and-tear on your vehicle, gasoline and yourself. If you decide you would like the thrill of a fly-in, be prepared to pay more money. In addition, the bush planes can carry only one canoe and two people with gear. Thus if you have eight people in your group, the plane will have to make four round trips which is quite time-consuming. In fact, I have found that the drive-in usually takes less time than the fly-in. The Fish, Coulonge River, P.Q. You can imagine that a three-hour drive or fly-in adds considerably to the remote experience and to the solitude factor. Experience a remote wilderness experience! However, you must be prepared with maps, gear, a fishing license and food for your trip because you will not find any stores nearby. In addition, you will not find any signs to the starting point, to the campsites or to the rapids and falls. While you might consider this a drawback, consider the advantages. You may camp wherever you want, make as much noise or quiet as you want, fish as much as you want and relax without worrying about your neighbours. The roads into the Coulonge are maintained year-round for the hunting business as well as for river travellers. The same is true for the two lodges that offer services such as accommodation, food and shuttle services. Service providers for this trip are: Valley Ventures, Black River Inn Esprit Rafting Paddling Solutions Custom Maps Also, consult Hap Wilson’s, Rivers of the Upper Ottawa Valley published by the Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association, 2nd edition 2004 We can offer specialised information on these Quebec trips: Dumoine River Noire River Coulonge River Ashuapmushuan River Batiscan River