What's the proper way to navigate the white water w/SOT Yak?

I would like to try and float and fish portions of the Rogue river with my OKBG and while I have navigated the rapids there in a drift boat and several rubber rafts, this kayak thing is going to be something new.  What little experience I have is offshore in relatively calm seas and Applegate lake and I feel like the kayak may not be as easy to control in swift water as a drift boat mostly because of the lack of the powerful oar stroke one has in a drift boat.  For example, the rule in a drift boat is:  Point the bow where you don't want to go and row like ****!!  Pretty straight forward and very effective when you're hurling toward a rock wall in a hair pin turn but what would be the proper technique in a big SOT kayak?  I assume if one hits the wall, especially if he gets turned sideways, he's going swimming so how do you slow down with that little two-ended paddle?  Not that I mind going for a swim but this is wintertime.

Where might I find some stuff to read on navigating the white water in a SOT?

Feb steelhead on the Umpqua is world class.  I've never floated the Umpqua as I've always been too cheap to hire a guide but, I'm thinking with my new kayak I can go for next to nothing. 

Are any of you guys into this sort of thing?

I started off by going down a pretty tame section of the Sandy River, and still got dumped.  That was July.  Some folks here like to ride whitewater, then there's us that prefer a huli in the surf.  I don't have enough experience to give any advice other than be safe.  Someone else can get technical.  Have fun and be safe.

These guys seem to be doing OK. 

http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/KFMOCT2008/Whitewaterkayakfishing.html

River running, especially technical water, is an entire discipline. An OKBG may not be the easiest yak to use for WW.It's bigger than most of the yaks that I see guys using in the rivers. In any case, to safely learn how to paddle difficult runs, it's best to get some solid instruction. If you decide to DIY, read (and maybe watch some DVDs)  and then start in easy water. Some place where you can eddy back, or use a cart to wheel back across the inside of an oxbow, will help so that you don't have to worry about a shuttle.

First step is to be able to read the water and set yourself up for a line that avoids the hazards. Power down (stream) only if you have a clean line through. Otherwise, keep a neutral speed (same speed as the current). If it seem like you're on a line that takes you into a hazard, like a drift boat you can point at it, but then you have to back paddle.

I'm sure more folks will chime in. Be safe, and good luck.

These guys seem to be doing OK. 

http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/KFMOCT2008/Whitewaterkayakfishing.html

that picture might seem like they are doing quite well but your need to go here to Jim Sammons' blog for his upcoming movie and read the whole story; http://kayakfishingmovie.oncourss.com/2008/10/01/my-kayak-fishing-adventure-on-the-ottawa-river/

apparently it wasnt all fun and games in the canadian fast water

and yeah, what pisco said, too

Yeah, as Pisco and Richard said, whitewater is a whole other breed of kayaking. There are some fundamental skills that transfer from flatwater, but there is also a lot of new stuff to learn to stay safe. Also, your boat is not designed for whitewater use and will make things more challenging. Your best bet would be to take an introductory ww course. eNRG, Alder Creek, and Columbia Gorge Kayak School all offer great lesson programs that will teach you the skills you need.

Brian

I posted that picture because I thought it looked cool not because I'm headed there although I would like to see how they navigated that stretch.  For those of you who think I'm crazy well, you're right but I'm not THAT crazy.

The upper and middle Rogue is not the Ottawa.  There are places further down I wouldn't want to get stuck in but that's not what I was asking. 

I was just wondering where one could find some information about how to navigate swift water in a SOT kayak?  (free information-I'm too cheap to pay for a class)

Years ago my son was in the Boy Scouts and one of the things we did as a troop was to take an overnight trip down the middle Rogue in a bunch of rafts and tahitis.  I reckon if a 14 year old can go two days in a tahiti without drowning, I can do the same in my kayak.  Years later I went with a bunch of first timers on rafts and tahitis down the upper Rogue.  Several of those folks were pretty drunk by the time we finished but like I said:  it's not the Ottawa.   One needs to wear a real life jacket and be prepared to get dumped-that's all.

I would just like to read up on it a little first and go with someone who has done it before so maybe I could go swimming less often.   I've never floated the Umpqua but I suspect there are plenty of stretches one could navigate with little to no risk. 

Then again maybe this conversation would be better held in July.   

I personally do not believe verbal or written instruction is sufficient.  I highly recommend hands on instruction when it comes to learning how to navigate watercraft in moving water.

-Allen

I have some banking experience on the upper Rogue, from Trail to Gold Hill. (My folks live in Shady Cove) From what I've seen, it's not very technical, with mostly class I and II water and maybe some low class III. There are rental outfits in Shady Cove that rent the Tahitis and rafts. If it were too technical, I doubt that they could afford the liability. You could check with them for local knowledge, and see what they recommend for a first timer. They can also help with shuttles, if you need it.

I'll admit I don't know the particulars of the Rogue, but you mentioned whitewater in your subject, so I went with the safe answer. With that said, even if you're only planning on doing mellow class I-II stuff, my answer doesn't change much. moving water of any sort presents different challenges that flatwater. American Whitewater's annual fatality report can be a real eye-opener. People can & do get injured and killed, even in the mellower stretches, as well as in rental equipment, and I'd rather a misunderstood encouragement by me not be a part of that.

As for finding free information, there's not a lot out there. If you want to put the search time in, you can probably piece together a bit, but I don't know anywhere that has it preassembled for you. it's just not the sort of thing you can read up on and then head on out. It's also easier to get in way over your head than you think. I was invited last-minute on a trip last spring on a quick "mellow trip". 6 hours, 2 pins, 1 strainer, and countless swims later, they were re-thinking their idea of mellow. The cost of a class pays for itself rather quickly.

I want to thank you guys for chiming in and your warnings are noted and appreciated. 

I've been down the Rogue many times in rental rafts and tahitis, my own drift boat and my own jet boat so I'm very familiar with the water.  I even spent a few years on the sheriffs search and rescue dive team in Josephine County where we trained for river rescues for the boat races so, I know what it's like to be swept through the rapids on the seat of your wet suit.  They tell you to face down river with your knees up.

I just haven't done it in my new kayak yet.  I guess it's face down river, keep your knees up, hang on to your paddle and don't let your kayak get away.  LOL

Truth be known, I was really kind of hoping to find someone who wanted to go but again, now that I've thought about it some, maybe July would be a better time to bring it up.  I have no problem with swimming in the cold water. (with a good 7 mil and life jacket) It's the getting out and continuing part that could turn into a nightmare if it's cold out. 

Maybe if we could figure it all out this summer we might be able to target some of those Umqua steelhead next winter.

Maybe the following summer we could try the Ottawa and wear those cool hats.

The next time I get down your way ( don't hold your breath ) I'll look you up. I'd love to hit the summer steelhead.

I've been down enough "mellow" stretches of river on my sot to know I'm not doing any stretch that starts with "class" or ends with "rapids" by myself or without instruction. I'm also leery of spots that reference "eddy". I'd want to go with someone who had local knowledge & experience. I'd also want a thorough float plan & briefing before launch. If there is a potential for having to spend any significant amount of time in the water, I always wear my wetsuit.