Whitewater Kayaking: Park and Play

Park and play whitewater kayaking has become more popular than float trips in the last few years. Some communities have even gone so far as to build whitewater play parks to cater to this trend. For example, the city of Reno Nevada built a kayak play park on the Truckee River. The park is considered a huge success. The traditional float trips with raft support and great big picnic lunches aren't gone, but they are becoming scarce.

Park and play kayaking by definition is putting in at a wave or hole, playing for a few hours then taking out at the same spot. No river miles are logged, only river time.

Obviously there are some advantages to this method. Not having to set up a shuttle every time you want to go kayaking is huge. Finding another vehicle, the cost of gas, the worry of leaving your vehicle at some seedy takeout spot, these are all avoided for the park and play kayaker. There's no shuttle needed and you can usually keep tabs on your car from the river.

For some kayakers, the shuttle can represent a large part of the whole adventure though, particularly if your counting on your thumbs to get you back to your car at the end of the day. But for most of us avoiding the shuttle is a good thing.

Another advantage for the park and play kayaker is in timesaving. Obviously no shuttle means more time to kayak. With park and play you stay until your tired. You always know where you are, and the amount of remaining daylight isn't a concern.

Having access to a park and play area can dramatically improve your kayaking skills. Going to the same wave or hole and working it over and over gives you deep insight into that particular feature. You'll learn a ton about the way water moves in general, and that will help you with your overall kayaking.

Since you're used to the spot, you'll feel relaxed while playing. This'll let you concentrate on your moves and help you use the water to your advantage. The more relaxed you are in your boat the more you'll learn.

Excellent play boaters look like they aren't doing anything at all; their boats are wildly spinning around them yet they seem calm and still. This is because they understand how to use the water's force to their advantage. They're relaxed because they understand exactly what's happening beneath their hull.

This brings up another important point. Good park and play areas usually attract excellent play boaters. Just watching the pros work a hole can expand your kayaking level. Be sure to ask questions too, most kayakers are fairly sociable and love talking about different moves.

Another advantage to the park and play kayak trip is the healthy benefits you'll achieve.
When kayakers "work" a wave or hole, they are getting a great workout. It's physically demanding to jump into a hole over and over again trying to make acrobatic moves. Kayakers gain strength, endurance and skill while having a great time. After an hour of kayak "playing" a kayaker will definitely feel they've gotten a workout.

As in ocean surfing it's important to respect the local boaters. Don't cut in line, talk a lot of trash and generally be a pain. Not only will you be shunned, you may be consistently blocked from entering the wave or hole. There's etiquette to the sport, which should be followed. Follow it and you'll have a blast...happy boating.