Kayaking upstream on a river...?

Question

When kayaking upstream on a river, it is generally easier to paddle on the inside of a bend, the outside of the bend, or in the center of the river? Also is it generally easier or harder to paddle upsteam in the deeper center of the river bed or along the shallower sides?

Answer 1

When paddling up stream it is best to zig-zag across the current. If your kayak is to long to tack then staying in the shallow water will be easier. The deeper the water the more water runs through so it will be harder in the current. Tack back and forth like a sail boat in the wind. This is where technique come,s in. Sit on a dinning chair in front of a mirror and practice. Try to make your strokes look like a figure eight and use your ab,s and lats. And have fun.

Answer 2

In order to paddle upstream you have to use the eddies.  In small eddies the water is either sitting still, or moving slowly downstream.  In a large eddy, the water literally moves upstream.  In order to make it upstream, you have to stay on the extreme shallow outside of the rivers.  It's nearly impossible to paddle upstream in the middle of a river.  On a turn you want to take the inside of the turn, this is where the strongest eddy flow is, and on the outside of the turn the current is too swift, and it typically is deeper with under cut shorelines and lots of "strainers" (i.e. trees and brush).  To cross from on side of the river to the other, you have to "ferry" i.e. point your bow upstream at an angle and slide across the current.  It is easiest to do this taking advantage of any strong eddy currents that exist just downstream of large rocks or other obstacles.  Be careful though, a strong current and a large rock can create an eddy flow that is so strong that it creates a "hole" that can keep or flip a boat.  In whitewater paddling, it is common to paddle upstream to catch a surf wave, or make it to some other type of play spot repeatedly.  You can stay in one part of the river all day if you want to, but it is by far the most tiring part of the sport.  Its definitely alot of work.

Happy boating.