Reading and Understanding the River: Taster Lesson | Stoppers

When you’re paddling whitewater, one of the most important - and often most intimidating - features you’ll encounter is the stopper. Known by other names, such as a hole, a hydraulic, or a pour-over, stoppers can make or break a run. They can slow you down, flip you, or hold you in place if you’re not ready for them.

In this taster lesson from our Reading and Understanding the River course, we take a deep dive into what stoppers are, how to recognise different types, and how they might affect your kayak. From powerful deep recirculating stoppers that can trap boats and swimmers, to more forgiving surface stoppers, you’ll learn how to read boil lines, towbacks, and stopper shapes to make safer decisions on the river.

Whether you’re just starting out or already have a few seasons on whitewater, developing the ability to read the river is a game-changer. Understanding features like stoppers not only makes you a safer paddler but also boosts your confidence and enjoyment on the water.

This is just a sample lesson from our Reading and Understanding the River course. If you’d like to explore this course and all of our other online courses, you can get instant access today with our 7-day free trial.