Swiftwater Training, Oar Distance & WING Fabric | Gear Garage Live Show

About this episode

Zach discusses technical rafting setups, including oar tower spacing and Wing raft fabrics, while addressing rescue training perspectives.

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage live show, where Zach answers submitted questions and discusses technical rafting setups. In this episode, Zach covers everything from oar tower spacing to the nuances of Wing raft fabrics, and shares a pointed "white-water vs. swift-water" perspective on rescue training. Episode Summary Zach kicks off the show with a shout-out to GoRafting.com, highlighting their digital river maps that work through the Far Out app. He notes that while paper maps are traditional, the ability to have GPS-located camps, updated rapid descriptions, and photos directly on your phone is a game-changer for multi-day trips like the Grand Canyon or Middle Fork. A significant portion of the Q&A focuses on oar frame setup. Zach addresses the distance between oar towers, advising that your hands should be positioned similarly to a push-up stance for maximum rowing efficiency. He also clarifies his stance on Search and Rescue (SAR) training, explaining the difference between his expertise in "whitewater rescue" (focused on river guiding and recreational boating) and the more specialized "swiftwater rescue" used by first responders. The episode wraps up…

People in this episode

Host: Zach

Topics covered

• swiftwater training
• oar distance
• raft fabrics
• rescue training
• rafting setups

Keywords

• swiftwater rescue
• whitewater rescue
• raft construction
• oar frame setup
• rafting efficiency

Sponsors

GoRafting.com

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: GoRafting.com, Far Out, Wing

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