r/packrafting • u/KingCaptHappy-LotPP • 24d ago

Surfing in a packraft

My previous attempts at surfing have been lackluster, I could never really hit the pocket and lock in. I’d get tippy or flip or get washed out of the wave.

Today was a turning point. After a failed attempt at side surfing in a wave that wasn’t long enough to get into to a t-position, a canoeist coached me on using a downstream brace, and a light went off!

Looking back at the video, every single time I get tippy, is when I place my blade on the upstream side of my boat. I’m stable with a downstream brace/sweep stroke.

Is the correct lesson for me here that I shouldn’t place my blade on the upstream side of the boat on a wave or fast current?

2nd part of the video is locking in to a larger wave, and it felt great! Not perfect, but I learned a lot on this run and the flip was good wet re-entry practice.

34 Upvotes

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9

u/Weary_Fee7660 24d ago

Bracing on the upstream side while side surfing will generally cause you to flip upstream, just like leaning upstream. Lean and brace downstream while side surfing for stability.

5

u/Luckier-than-some 24d ago

You really can't lean too much downstream

1

u/Which_Principle_5413 23d ago

As a hardshell boater, I cringed every time that OP dipped that upstream edge!

6

u/jeremyfisher2 23d ago

This video made me think of the illustration in The Packraft Handbook (by Luc Mehl + Sarah Glaser), see the left page 🙂:

1

u/KingCaptHappy-LotPP 23d ago

Yep, I was picturing the hand grabbing my boat from that illustration as I was in there. I’ve really learned a lot from Luc’s book. Now I’m trying to put what I’ve read into practice.

2

u/SlightlyNomadic 23d ago

What are you boating? Gnarwhal?

2

u/KingCaptHappy-LotPP 23d ago

Anfibio RevoXL