Pro-Tips | Ferrying with Alex Lalonde
Ferrying is a technique used to cross a current without being swept downstream. The goal is to move laterally across a river or tidal flow while maintaining control and minimizing drift. The technique is useful for crossing strong flows like you’d find in Deception Pass, but is also used on longer channel crossings and areas with weaker flows.
P.A.V.E.S.
Position. Angle. Vision. Edge. Speed
You want to make sure you have a target location on the other side of the flow picked out before you start. It might be an eddy on the opposite shore, or behind a rock mid-flow. It could even be a mid stream wave you’re trying to catch and surf. One you know where you want to end up, use the acronym P.A.V.E.S. to set yourself up:
Position: Position yourself in the starting eddy with enough space to build up an appropriate amount of speed, and set your boat at the appropriate angle to cross the eddy line.
Angle: The angle you cross the eddy line with will affect your trajectory across the flow. More upstream angle will allow you to attain (move upstream) and minimize drift, more cross stream will allow you to move more laterally while drifting downstream some. In general when ferrying, we want to avoid downstream angles.
Vision: Look at your target. You will be able to see if you are drifting downstream and need to adjust your angle or paddle harder, or you might see that you are attaining upstream of your target and can back off a little.
Edge: Tilt your boat downstream to reduce drag on your hull as you cross the flow and to avoid capsizing on the eddy line
Speed: The speed we need is relative to the speed of the flow, and the angle to the target from our starting point. If the flow is strong and our target is not very far downstream of where we’re starting, we may need a lot of speed. Use the eddy to build up speed before entering the flow - it’s always nicer if you have to slow down in the flow than speed up.
Ferrying in Action
Photo: Chris Bracamonte
Once you’ve got your ferry ‘paved’ out, it’s time to give it a go. There’s always a degree of unpredictability when ferrying strong currents like Deception Pass and no ferry is ever the same. Our angle, speed, or the eddy line might be a little different than what we expected, so you want to be prepared to react once you’ve crossed the eddy line.
You’ll see as I approach the eddy line I build up a good amount of speed. I’m aiming to leave as high up in the eddy as I can so that I give myself the most room for error as I cross. This is also the narrowest point of the eddyline, and therefore the quickest area to get across.
Just before my bow hits the eddy line, I tilt my boat downstream and take one final stroke on the downstream edge. This helps avoid my bow being pulled downstream and puts my body in a balanced position where I can take additional strokes to keep my boat from being turned downstream, brace, or if I’ve gotten it all right - glide toward my target. I also use the little diagonal wave just at the top of the eddy to help move me out into the flow more efficiently.
Since I’ve spent the energy in the eddy to build up my speed, I am not paddling hard to reach my target on the other side. My edge stays tilted downstream, and my focus is directed toward my target so that I can see if I need to paddle harder, let up a little, or change my angle.
Once I reach the eddy line on the other side, my edge switches so that I am tilting downstream to the flow I am entering into. The same PAVES rules apply here. It will look and feel similar to breaking into the flow at the beginning, but once you’ve crossed all the way into the eddy you can take a break and enjoy the fruit of your labor.
Top Tips:
Take your time positioning yourself at the start. Giving yourself room to build up speed and set the right angle can save you a lot of energy over the whole maneuver.
Your speed and angle are relative to the position of your target and the speed of the current. When in doubt, paddle faster!
Using ranges to keep yourself on line with your target is a good way to know if you’ve drifted or attained during your ferry
After you’ve crossed the starting eddyline, give yourself a moment to see what happens before reacting
Useful strokes and maneuvers to practice and develop for ferrying:
High angle forward strokes
Sweep Strokes
Stern Pry/Draw (aka Rudder)
Paddling forward on edge in flat water
Linking the above strokes into one fluid movement
Photo: Chris Bracamonte
Gear Check: Alex LaLonde
Kayak: P&H Aries 150 - This kayak is a tidal rapid, surf, and rock play machine. It’s my favorite boat to bring to the pass or to the coast. Despite being 16ft long, the planing hull and ample rocker make it extremely playful while still able to keep up with the group. The hard edges allow it to lay smooth carving turns, while still providing a lot of stability. It’s also got serious sex appeal.
Paddle: Lendal Cadence X 205 - The Cadence X is the size in between the Cadence and the Storm. A big enough blade to get lots of power out of big strokes, but not so big that I am tired after pulling them. I like the medium sized blades for my body size (5’10” 180lbs) and the shorter length is preferable for pulling more high angle strokes.
Drysuit: NRS Phenom Gore-Tex PRO - Comfortable, dry, and super durable. This has been my go to suit for everything wet the last 2 seasons. NRS really stepped the game up with their new Gore-Tex suits. They even have the environment in mind and use 100% recycled nylon face fabric, lower-impact DWR, and backer material that is dope dyed to reduce water usage, pollution and energy use. I prefer the shoulder zip suits because I prefer to feel the zipper on my shoulders vs. on my chest, and my rotator cuffs don’t get enough abuse while kayaking so I need to challenge them a little more by trying to reach the zipper.
PFD: NRS Ninja OS - My go-to for rough water days. The Ninja line from NRS are low profile, yet super functional PFD’s for touring kayakers that still want to fit things like a radio, small ouch pouch, compass, knife, etc. It has some extra reflective panels on it for high visibility, and NRS new Orbit fit system hugs your torso like a hug from an old friend - supportive, reassuring, and snug in all the right places.
Skirt: NRS Drylander - a solid option for kayak touring and light whitewater. Quality built - I’ve been using the same skirt for about 5 years.
Footwear: Altama Maritime Mid - Designed by the military. They’re super durable, self draining, and extremely comfortable for walking on wet, slippery rocks.
Towline: North Water Dynamic Towline Pro 35’ - The Dynamic Towline is a great low profile towline made with quality materials.
Video Produced by Chris Bracamonte of Slappin Water in collaboration with Alex Lalonde of Body Boat Blade