ABC’s

Learning a new sport has led to learning a new language. I would hear people say “ah, bru are you going to dice at the Drift tonight?” As a thoroughbred Capetonian I associate words such as “drift” and “dice” with motor racing, so as far as I was concerned these people were about to part take in illegal drag racing that may or may not involve drifting. My experience has led to the development of the Victionary (a dictionary with visuals…yes, I just coined a phrase) and a list of phrases/words that have helped me comprehend conversations between paddlers.

Equipment 

Canoe (Picture taken from "The Paddling Shop")

Foot Pump (Picture taken from "Gnarly Dog News")

Foot pedal and pull strap (Picture taken from "Spirit Paddle")

• Bite Piece: Rubber or foam attachment on paddle. The attachment allows the paddler to hold the paddle using their teeth to free their hands.
• Cockpit: The place where the driver sits.
• Pull Strap: Strap over the foot pedals that secures your foot on the pedal.
• Pumps: Foot pumps are situated on the foot rest. The paddler pushes on the pump to expel any water that has collected in the boat while paddling.
• Rudder: Metal piece that steers the boat. The rudder is controlled by foot pedal.

Paddling Equipment (Photo taken by friend)

• Splash cover: A piece of material worn around the paddler’s torso and attaches to the boat. The splash cover keeps water out of the boat.

Word	Definition	Example	Translation
Dice	A canoeing time trial	Are you going to dice?	Will you be at the time trial?
Draw Stroke	A paddling technique to move the boat sideways without moving forward
Drive	Steering the boat	I’m driving	I will steer the boat
Line	A path followed through a rapid or down a river	He knows good lines	He knows effective paths through a rapid/down a river
Portage	A point along a canoe race where you have to carry your boat on your shoulder and walk/run with it	Are you ready for Campbells?	Are you ready to die…Jokes! Are you ready to pick up your boat and run with it on your shoulder?
Tripping	An easy paddle down a river-aims to familiarise the paddler with the route	Let’s go tripping down the Umgeni	Let’s go and explore the Umgeni river
Water Release	A man made structure used to increase the amount of water in a river or dam	They’re going to give us 20 cubics on Fish	They are going to give us 20 cubic feet of water per second for the Fish canoe marathon
Wave	A slip stream created by another boat	I’m going on your wave
Weir	A man made structure found in a river to alter the flow of water	Are we going to shoot the weir?	Would you like to see your life flash before your eyes?...yet another joke :)
Wrapping	Damaging your boat	I wrapped my boat when we shot Mission	I damaged/snapped my boat whilst going through the Mission rapid (name of rapid along the Dusi)

Wrapped boat (Picture taken from "s-teemtc")