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1) vision: see your target, understand where to boof it, and how you want to drive to it. Many boofs are foiled by a poor approach. A straight ledge can be approached directly head on. A rock or a boof hump is sometimes approached with some angled momentum. Aim to drive your boat to the lauch spot while taking cross currents, waves, etc into play.
2) timing: This is key. The most common mistake is to take a stroke too early before the water starts dropping vertically. Try to decide which stroke (r vs. l) you will boof with. Usually you boof with a stroke on the downstream side if you are anlged boofing off of a rock, and either side if its a straight ledge (choice depends on how you want to land). It is also possible to be slightly angled prior to a boof so that the inevitable slight turning of the boof stroke results in you being straight when you land.
Many times my last stroke prior to boof is a power stroke for momentum with the other side, and the 2nd to last is on the boof side to get lined up. This allows for natural alterating stokes and ends you up on your boof stoke on the correct side. I usually take the last stroke prior to boofing for power, and then hesitate to get proper timing. While waiting for the perfect timing, lean aggressively forward and try to plant the boof stroke as far forward as possible (around your toes). Boof stroke should be planted on the downstream side of the lip as water starts to fall vertically, not on the upstream side when the water is still moving forward.
You pull aggressively with as straight vertical of a stroke as you can and pull your torso back to a neutral upright position while crunching the stomach muscles to lift the legs and have the sort of feeling that you are thrusting the boat forward from the hips. Don't lean back too much or you are unstable on the landing.
Followup: The followup is key too. After you boof and you are in the air, you boof stroke is behind you and the next stroke on the other side is in position to be used immediatley upon landing. Lean forward in the air to land in a compact forward position and ideally land the hull at the same time as you are planting the forward stroke with the side opposite your boof that should be ready to go. Leaning forward in the air is a key that takes timing as well. It helps with stability on landing, prevents enders out of holes, and keeps you balanced by landing on a stroke.
You can practive the leaning forward at the end on easy small drops to get the feeling down.
When done correctly you should feel that you reach out for a stroke and at maximum extension you plant the blade at the correct boof lip. The stroke should be a fluid combo of paddle stroke, ab cruch and torso pull that should feel like your boat catches air and launches without the bow falling too much. You will know when you get it because it just feels right. Once in the air, immediately begin leaning aggressively forward and get ready to plant the next stroke.
When you nail a great boof, its one of the best feelings in kayaking! |
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