If you’ve spent any time watching experienced whitewater kayakers charge through technical whitewater rapids, you’ve seen the magic moment: a paddler approaches a dropping horizon, plants a single decisive stroke, and their kayak launches flat over the lip, flying clear of the feature below.
This essential kayaking technique is referred to as the “Boof” and is an essential creekboating and river running skill. Whether you’re looking to refine your kayak boof technique on everyday features or step up to bigger lines with confidence, we’re thrilled to announce our brand new Whitewater Kayaking Boof Clinic at Wet Planet Whitewater.
Mastering the Boof Stroke Gives You Control Over How Your Kayak Meets the Water
Clearing the Lip
Proper execution of a boof stroke keeps your kayak bow from dropping. This allows you to float over features rather than getting swallowed by them.
Controlling the Landing Angle
The height of the drop determines how flat you want to land. On smaller ledges, landing completely flat keeps your downstream momentum high. On taller waterfalls, landing too flat is not great for your back, so you need to adjust your angle to land slightly bow down while keeping control.
Controlling & Maintaining Speed
Keeping your boat on top of the water keeps you moving downstream instead of getting stopped or slowed down by river hydraulics and recirculating holes.
On Class Day: What We’ll Cover on the Water
In this paddling clinic, we’ll break down the mechanics across a variety of real-river features-including wave boofs, rock boofs, waterfall lips, and water boofs. Including but not limited to:
- Kayak boat angle and approach
- Edge control and balance
- Paddle stroke placement and timing
- Hydrology and hazard assessment
- Setting effective safety and managing risks
This clinic size is limited to ensure you get dedicated, individualized video analysis and real-time coaching from our Wet Planet kayak instructors.
Meet the Instructors
Connor Hayes
Conor is an ACA Level 4 Instructor, River Rescue Expert, and Wilderness First Responder. Raised in a whitewater family, Connor grew up on the water before tackling technical creeks across the Northeast and Pacific Northwest.
Ava Christensen
Ava is a professional whitewater kayaker with a lifelong passion for steep, technical rivers. Ava discovered her love for kayaking at a youth summer camp and brings years of international guiding and high-level whitewater kayak coaching experience to the team.
Clinic Details & Prerequisites
To keep the group cohesive and focused on advanced mechanics rather than basic boat control, this intermediate kayaking clinic is designed for paddlers with a reliable combat roll that are also comfortable paddling Class III whitewater.
Date: August 9, 2026
