Voyageur Paddling Exam - MidSeason

Name: _______________________________

Date: ___________________

True or False: Circle either T if the statement is true or F if the statement is false.
T

When running a river, a paddler should head down through upstream facing Vs.

If trying not to flip, it is best not to lean upstream in the main current.

When doing a low brace, the paddler uses the power face of the paddle.

The term eddy was named after the father of American whitewater, Eddy Weisswasser.

The handlebar is the area of the paddle that connects the blades.

The fastest current generally runs along the inside of a curve in the river.

The term river left refers to the right side of the river when facing downstream.

The two most common rolls that were discussed on the river were the C to C Roll and the Kaiser Roll.

A stern draw is used to move the back of the boat toward the back face of the paddle blade.

In a rescue situation, the priority list from most to least important is people, gear, boats.

Fill in the blanks: Fill in each blank with the answer that is most appropriate.
A.
Three playspots on the Potomac River are ___________________________,
__________________________.

__________________________, and

B.
A forward stroke uses the ____________________ face of the kayak paddle, while a reverse
____________________ face of the paddle.

sweep uses the

C.
Each paddling stroke has 3 phases. The first phase is called the ____________________. Then there is the ____________________
phase followed by the ___________________ phase.
D.
The Rule of 100s relies on the sum of the ____________________ and ____________________
likelihood of hypothermia.
Short Answers: Answer each question to the best of your ability.
A.

List 3 ways to rate/measure a river.

B.

List seven river hazards.

C.

Describe the perfect rapid swim position.

D.

List the three components of moving into and out of an eddy and explain the importance of each.

E.

Describe, in detail, the perfect forward stroke.

temperatures to determine the

Matching: Match each term to the most appropriate definition.

____

PFD

a. the action of previewing a section of rapids

____

upstream

b. the left side of a river when facing upstream

____

eddy

c. the direction from which the main flow comes

____

tracking

d. interface between eddy and current

____

pinned

e. appears happy from downstream

____

downstream

f. where our put-in is in relation to Great Falls

____

scouting

g. trapped on an obstruction in the current

____

smiling hole

h. Personal Floatation Device

____

frowning hole

i. appears happy from upstream

____

eddy-line

j. formed behind an obstruction in the river

k. term used to indicate how well a boat travels in a straight line

Whats he saying?: Next to each signal, briefly describe what is being communicated.

What time is it? Indicate the range on the clock that is appropriate for the skill listed.
Peel-out toward river left:
Surfing:

Eddy turn toward river right:

Ferry:

Which Face? Next to each stroke, write power face if the stroke uses the power face of the paddle to properly execute the stroke or back
face if the stroke uses the non-power face to properly execute the stroke.
Forward stroke
Reverse stroke Sculling Reverse sweep Forward sweep Bow draw Stern draw Low brace High brace Roll sweep Multiple Choice: For the following questions, circle the best available answer.
1.

The technique of leaning the boat on edge while remaining balanced over the boat is known as a:
a)
b)
c)
d)

2.

I-Lean
J-Lean
Bay-Lean
Say-Lean

According to the International Scale of River Difficulty, which class does the following passage describe?
Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering
may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are
seldom injured, and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed. (American Whitewater)
a)
b)
c)
d)

3.

Which of the following is not a factor in the formation of rapids?

a)
b)
c)
d)

4.

Overhead Carry
Shoulder carry
Buddy Carry
Suitcase Carry

If another paddler is upside down in his boat, waving his arms along the sides of his kayak, you should immediately:
a)
b)
c)

d)
7.

Wet Exit/Rapid Swim

Sweep Roll
T-Rescue
Both A and B

Which of the following is not a method of carrying your kayak to the put-in?
a)
b)
c)
d)

6.

Gradient
Volume
Constriction
Submersion

Which of the following is an example of self-rescue?

a)
b)
c)
d)

5.

Mild
Class B
Class I
Class II

Find an instructor
Call 9-1-1
Attempt to provide a T-rescue
Grab the paddlers bow and try to flip it right-side-up.

Combining the properties of a wave with speed, angle, and lean in order to propel yourself across a section of rapids without
losing ground refers to a:
a)
b)
c)

Rocket Launch
Jet Ferry
Peel Out

d)
8.

Following a wet-exit, the swimming boater should swim toward:

a)
b)
c)

d)
9.

the nearest attainable hydraulic

the put-in
river left
the nearest suitable eddy

In general, all of the boats on the Voyageur trailer are tied down using:
a)
b)
c)
d)

10.

Squirt

Water knots and half hitches

Wraps and half hitches
A bit of magic
Trailer hitch bowlines

Linking a peel-out to an eddy turn is often referred to as:

a)
b)
c)

d)

an S-turn
a U-turn
a J-Lean
none of the above