Editing Whitewater (section)

== Whitewater craft ==
[[Image:WhitewaterKayaking-BLM.jpg|thumb|upright|A solo kayak paddler performs a 'high brace' in foamy water. One of the hazards of whitewater paddling is that highly aerated water decreases the effect of buoyancy.]]
People use many types of whitewater craft to make their way down a rapid, preferably with finesse and control.  Here is a short list of them:

'''Whitewater [[kayaks]]''' differ from sea kayaks and recreational kayaks in that they are better specialized to deal with moving water.  They are often shorter and more maneuverable than sea kayaks and are specially designed to deal with water flowing up onto their decks. Most whitewater kayaks are made of plastics now, although some paddlers (especially [[Whitewater racing|racers]] and "squirt boaters") use kayaks made of fiberglass composites. Whitewater kayaks are fairly stable in turbulent water, once the paddler is skillful with them; if flipped upside-down, the skilled paddler can easily roll them back upright. This essential skill of whitewater kayaking is called the "[[Eskimo roll]]", or simply "roll". Kayaks are paddled in a low sitting position (legs extended forward), with a two-bladed paddle. See [[Whitewater kayaking]].

'''[[Raft]]s''' are also often used as a whitewater craft; more stable than typical kayaks, they are less maneuverable. Rafts can carry large loads, so they are often used for expeditions. Typical whitewater rafts are inflatable craft, made from high-strength fabric coated with PVC, urethane, neoprene or Hypalon; see [[rafting]].  While most rafts are large multipassenger craft, the smallest rafts are single-person whitewater craft, see [[packraft]]. Rafts sometimes have inflatable floors, with holes around the edges, that allow water that splashes into the boat to easily flow to the side and out the bottom (these are typically called "self-bailers" because the occupants do not have to "bail" water out with a bucket). Others have simple fabric floors, without anyway for water to escape, these are called "bucket boats", both for their tendency to hold water like a bucket, and because the only way to get water out of them is by bailing with a bucket.

'''[[Cataraft]]s''' are constructed from the same materials as rafts. They can either be paddled or rowed with oars. Typical catarafts are constructed from two inflatable pontoons on either side of the craft that are bridged by a frame. Oar-propelled catarafts have the occupants sitting on seats mounted on the frame. Virtually all oar-powered catarafts are operated by a boatsman with passengers having no direct responsibilities. Catarafts can be of all sizes; many are smaller and more maneuverable than a typical raft.

[[Image:WhitewaterCanoe.JPG|thumb|Modern whitewater canoe]]
[[File:Marty Plante - Tellico River, 2013 - 279 (1).jpg|alt=A whitewater canoe with yellow air bags.|thumb|A whitewater canoe with yellow air bags.]]
'''[[Canoe]]s''' are often made of fiberglass, kevlar, plastic, or a combination of the three for strength and durability. They may have a [[spraycover]], resembling a kayak, or be "open", resembling the typical canoe. This type of canoe is usually referred to simply as an "open boat".  Whitewater canoes are paddled in a low kneeling position, with a one-bladed paddle. Open whitewater canoes often have large airbags and in some cases foam, usually 2-lb density ethyl foam, firmly attached to the sides, to displace water in the boat when swamped by big waves and holes and to allow water to be spilled from the boat while still in the river by floating it up on its side using the foam and bags. Like kayaks, whitewater canoes can be righted after capsizing with an Eskimo roll, but this requires more skill in a canoe.

'''C1s''' are similar in construction to whitewater kayaks, but they are paddled in a low, kneeling position.  They employ the use of a one-blade paddle, usually a little shorter than used in a more traditional canoe. They have a spraycover, essentially the same type used in kayaking. Like kayaks, C1s can be righted after capsizing with an Eskimo roll.

'''[[McKenzie River dory]]''' (or "drift boat" by some) is a more traditional "hard sided" boat.  The design is characterized by a wide, flat bottom, flared sides, a narrow, flat bow, a pointed stern, and extreme rocker in the bow and stern to allow the boat to spin about its center for ease in maneuvering in rapids.

'''River bugs''' are small, single-person, inflatable craft where a person's feet stick out of one end. [[River bugging]] is done feet first with no paddle.

'''Creature Craft''' are the ultimate whitewater craft, with a roll cage design that protects the occupants if they are to flip in any manner. You can see these creatures drifting down rivers like the Gauley, waiting to be capsized and righted by other enthusiastic river users.

'''Whitewater SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boarding)''', similar to traditional flat water stand up paddle boarding, whitewater SUPing involves the use of a stand up paddle board to run whitewater. The boards are typically specially designed for whitewater use, and more safety gear is used than on flat water.