Equipment for Creeking
Creeking has exploded onto the whitewater scene, advances in equipment, especially kayaks have opened up a whole new style of river that a whitewater kayaker can now paddle. Areas around the globe such as the Oetz Valley in Austria and Pucon in Chile have become regarded as some of the best places to go creeking.
We believe in a fast, lightweight style of kayaking with very similar values to that of alpine climbing. Equipment should be sturdy but light enough not to slow you down during a days creeking. If you have equipment that can double its usefulness then surely that is a good thing making your kayak lighter, faster and more nimble!
So here is the creeking equipment we take on the river:
1. Creek Kayak
A kayak specifically for creeking will have some of the following features: volume, rocker, edges, a fast hull speed, solid foot brace plus it should be sturdy but light enough to put on your shoulder if you need to portage a rapid. Some of the best creeking kayak manufacturers currently on the market are: Waka, Zet and Lettmann. Waka are leading the way with models such as the Billy Goat, OG, Stout and the tapered sterns such as the Goat and Steeze. Zet has the 5, Chili and the amazing Cross, a super fast kayak with a great rocker. Lettmann have produced the Manta, its updated version, the Rocky and the brand new Machete.
2. Airbags
A full set of airbags with 2 in the stern and one fat (or 2 thinner) in the bow of the kayak is a necessity. If you make a wet exit, your kayak will be much easier to rescue as the airbags will stop litres of water entering your boat. Also if your kayak gets pinned it will be easier to free it when fully inflated airbags are inside.
3. Longer Paddle
Generally speaking you will require a slightly longer paddle to go creeking. The extra reach of the blade will help with techniques such as: boofing, power strokes, sweeping and rudders. A longer paddle will help you with your eskimo roll as well. For instance, I am 186cm (6’2”) tall and use a 204cm paddle. Ute and Stanzin are 156cm (5’) and use a 196cm paddle. We have been testing and using Striebl Designs paddles for the past 3 years and are really impressed with their feel, build quality and power ratio in various techniques.
4. Bombproof Spraydeck
It is no good having the best kayak available when every drop you run or fall off your spray deck keeps popping or opening when landing. A good fitting spray deck with a thick elastic cord or similar around the cockpit rim is so important, also it should be robust! The Peak UK whitewater spraydeck is ideal, we have used it around the world on big water in the Himalayas, Alps and Andes plus the steeper rivers around Base Arlberg in Austria and in and around Pucon in Chile.
5. Dry Suit
A dry suit can make life a lot more bearable and keep you warm and dry while creeking. In regions such as Pucon in Chile you may have to jump into the river after throwing your kayak and paddle into the pool below, which means you stay dry for the whole day. When we completed a first descent on the River Uhl in Himachal Pradesh, India, again we had to jump into a pool/eddy in the river as one waterfall was un-runnable. It was a 5 day expedition and so our dry suits kept us dry and comfortable throughout the time on the river. We use the Peak UK whitewater one piece suit. It has a leg entry system so with no bulky zips on the upper body and gives fantastic freedom of movement while kayaking.
6. Sweet Helmet
A good fitting, solid helmet with plenty of protection is a must. There are a wide choice of helmets on offer but nothing comes close to a Sweet Helmet. The Rocker is by far the most popular model of helmet, it is the one both myself and Stanzin use and you can see all the pro’s at the Oetz Trophy wearing one. It is possible to detach the visor for when you run bigger drops and waterfalls. As Ute’s head is slightly smaller she prefers the Sweet Wanderer as it provides a better fit for her head. There are also full face helmets available, our team in the Kayak School prefer not to use them as it takes a while to get used to scouting and portaging when wearing a full face helmet as the chin guard can restrict your view.
7. Personal Flotation Device / Buoyancy Aid
A good fitting pfd with the correct amount of inherent buoyancy is standard for any type of whitewater kayaker. For creeking you should like at the following features on a pfd: chest harness, ample pockets for holding your rescue kit, split d rings if you use a cowstail, the internal frame or webbing of the pfd should be solid and not just stitched at the shoulders.
Other kit that we carry on our pfd’s are equipment such as: knife, whistle, watch, taped sling and HMS screw gate carabiner and our rescue kit
8. Good Booties
A good set of River Boots are imperative while creeking. You need a lot of confidence in your boots when carrying your kayak to and from the river, while scouting rapids and portaging. Your boots need to support you and keep you from slip sliding your way over the rocks and around the rapids. As we are talking about creeking where the rivers are steeper and with less sun reaching the river banks your boots are extremely important. Go for something that covers your ankles to not only protect them but to give your ankles support when carrying a kayak. A good sole is a must and they need to be able to survive a few seasons. We all use the Palm Gradient boot here in the Kayak School, for us they are the best on the market. Some boot companies advertise super sticky soles but we have found they only last a couple of months before they start to fall apart. Creeking causes a significant amount of abuse and damage to a boot, make sure you find one that works perfectly for you and can last!
9. Rescue Kit
This can be a very contentious subject, with kayakers having an opinion that can be difficult to even consider discussing with. The list below is what we take every time we go creeking!
Throw bag & screw gate carabiner
We take a 16m throw bag with a screw gate carabiner. At this length we can throw the rope accurately and efficiently, our rope is also clean! Whatever the length of your rescue rope it needs to be easily accessible and that you can throw it accurately!
First Aid kit, frat strap & silver foil blanket
A small, compact first aid kit with the essential items should be carried within the group, a silver foil blanket are ideal for keeping paddlers warm and preventing shock during an emergency situation. We carry a fracture strap which is made using strong material and velcro that can immobilise and secure any part of the body in a medical situation. It is something that Steve learnt during his 12 years in the British Army and we have carried them as a team ever since!
Wrap Kit
Our personal wrap kit is minimal but certainly enough when everyone in the team is carrying one. We carry the following equipment: Palm snake sling, 120cm dynatec taped sling, HMS twist lock carabiner, Snap gate paddle carabiner, Screw gate carabiner and 2 Prussiks.
The best thing we can say is to do a rescue course to see what and why you need to carry and more importantly how to use it. Our Rescue Course is advertised exclusively through our newsletter, to sign up follow this link.
10. Telephone & protective case
Taking a telephone on the river is standard practice now, it is always good to know each countries emergency services numbers and of course the everyday life of organising shuttles, meeting up with your kayaking friends, taking photos and even posting online when you are on the river, a phone is pretty much the norm now! Also of note, because we believe in a lightweight style of kayaking a modern phone can be used as a torch, to take notes during an emergency thus eliminating extra equipment needed to take. Modern phones are not the cheapest product anymore and so a good protective case such as an Otterbox is a great way to protect it from the bangs and abuse creeking will do. I put my phone into an Aquapac case to make the phone fully waterproof in turbulent water.
11. Water bottle and nourishment
Water is life and of course the size of your water bottle will depend on how long you will be on the river and how much nourishment you will need. Fuel for creeking is another theme, I always recommend our clients to have some kind of fuel bar just incase they need that extra boost of energy on the river. I also take one if I am on a mission for a long day on the river.
12. Portable Chainsaw
This is a personal choice of mine, though I do not take it with me all the time when we are creeking it can be a handy piece of equipment. It will cut through trees like a hot knife through butter and can help make your local run cleaner and wood free when you cannot get in there with a motor chainsaw!
Of course the above are our personal choices, there can be a lot of exceptions and when talking and writing about rescue equipment this subject can go on for months and months with regards to the pros and cons.
We have spent years kayaking on rivers and creeks exploring, guiding, leading, coaching and running courses. The equipment we have carried and used over those years have culminated in this blog!
If there is a lot of jargon and new words for you in this blog, then check out our River Terminology Blog.
If you do not know much about Austria or even Chile, here are some previous blog posts and videos about Creeking.
The best rivers for Creeking around Base Arlberg
If you carry anything you think is important to you and is not on our list, let us know and if we think it is worthy of someones attention we will add it to the blog!
Happy Creeking!!
Want to know more about our creeking courses, the click the links below and also check out our videos about creeking here around Base Arlberg, Austria and Pucon, Chile
Creeking Courses // Intro to Creeking Courses // Pucon Kayaking Mecca // Chile Kayak Road Trip