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in many instances nosing up to a rock instead of continuing plan A (paddling away from the rock and exposing your broad side) is the best way to go. You can spin off the rock (going with your momentum) fairly quickly. Before you go down a big drop make sure you scouted and are aware of plan A, B, C etc.
A wise old class V guide once said: "It's not how well you execute plan A, but how quickly you can switch to plan B."
Another good way to prevent flipping is to really drill your crew on hysiding. I use over commands to make it less confusing. "over right" or "over left" instead of yelling out hyside. Occasionally you might need to do a low side to weazle through some rocks and you can just use your over commands to get the people to do this.
When you do flip, get back to the raft, grab onto the lacing that connects the floor to the rest of the boat and kick with the back of both feet and lung up and over the tube.
Some like to use a flip line (webbing connected by a biner that is approximately 8 ft long) that they wrap around their waist. I prefer to use a waist throwbag with self contained flip line (such as a salamander bag) so I have a quick release incase something (oar or piece of wood) hangs me up. I try to use a paddle (working the t grip into the webbing) if one is floating nearby as I don't have to deal with rope and potential entrapment in moving water. |
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forcing plan A is most common flip causer New 
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