Raft Guide Paddle Commands FAQ: Your Essential Guide

If you pay attention, follow commands promptly, and paddle effectively, you will greatly improve your overall rafting experience. Remember, your guide wants you to have an incredible rafting experience, and your cooperation is key! This section explains the most common paddle commands and their purposes for navigating the Class III lines of the Middle Ocoee Guidebook.

As an ACA-certified instructor and veteran professional, I cannot stress enough that the crew is the engine of the raft. Whether we are maneuvering around the Ocoee River Hydrology of an eddy line or dropping into the Class IV hydraulics of the Upper Ocoee Guidebook, split-second timing is required. Professional paddle commands are what allow a guide to position the boat precisely to avoid high-consequence features.

Safety protocols dictate exactly how and when to paddle. A synchronized crew mitigates the inherent risks of swiftwater and follows swiftwater safety protocols to keep everyone in the boat. By executing proper commands at benchmark drops like Broken Nose and Table Saw, you will quickly realize why professional-grade guiding—and an attentive crew—are the keys to a successful trip on the Ocoee River.

"Get Down" means to get your body as low as possible inside the raft.

• Purpose: A lower center of mass is a tool your guide uses to keep you in the raft during turbulent water. This command will be covered and demonstrated during your safety talk.

• How to Get Down:

  1. Move your feet to the back of the thwart (the inflatable cross-tube) directly in front of you. If you are in the first row, pull your feet out of the foot cups and move your feet as far forward as possible.

  2. Drop your butt to the floor.

  3. Hold the blade of your paddle straight up (vertically). Never angle your paddle blade forward or back, as this could injure others.

"High Side" means the raft is in danger of flipping, and you need to quickly climb toward the highest (or upstream) side of the raft.

• Purpose: By shifting your weight to the highest side, you can help prevent the raft from flipping over. Timing is everything; by the time the guide yells this, you must react immediately!

"All Forward" means to paddle forward together and continue paddling until your guide says "Stop."

• Purpose: This command is often given to build momentum needed to power through large breaking waves, turbulent holes, or hydraulic features.

• Critical Points:

  • It is crucial that the crew paddles in time with one another.

  • Equal power from both sides of the raft is also critical for maintaining control and direction.

Guides sometimes use commands like "Left Side Forward" or "Right Side Forward" (or just "Paddle Left/Right") to help pivot the raft quickly or maintain momentum while steering.

• Tip: Just know which side you are on and follow the instructions precisely for the best experience. This is especially common on technical rivers, such as the Olympic Course of the Upper Ocoee.

"Lean In" means to lean your body toward the lengthwise center line of the raft, keeping your butt securely on the tube.

• Purpose: Doing this properly is important for helping the guide maintain raft control and keep you securely seated in the raft.

• How to Lean In: Lean your head and torso toward the person next to you (toward the center of the raft). Don't worry, everyone should have a helmet on!

This command asks you to shift your body weight to the indicated side of the raft.

• Purpose:

  1. To edge the raft for more precise control while navigating.

  2. To prepare the crew for a large jolt or impact coming from the opposite side of the raft. Or possibly to lean into a rock to prevent a flip or pin.

• Action: You will certainly want to follow these instructions promptly in either case.

The T-grip is the number one instrument involved in avoidable rafting injuries.

• What is the T-Grip? The T-grip is the hard plastic, T-shaped handle on the top of your paddle.

• Safety Rule: You must hold it at all times with your inboard hand (the hand closest to the center of the raft) for safety and to be ready to paddle at a moment's notice.

• Guide's Concern: Guides constantly yell to "Hold the T-Grip!" because they have seen the damage it can cause. A flying T-grip can cause blunt force injuries, including knocking out teeth or even an eye. Holding the T-Grip prevents you from injuring yourself, a loved one, or another crew member.