Lazy Days

Resort & Campground on Elk River

Tag: River raft

Tag: River raft

Paddles vs Oars: Navigating Your Water Adventure With the Right Equipment

The right equipment makes all the difference in enjoying a day on the river. One crucial distinction is between paddles and oars. You might wonder if there is any difference.

Surprisingly, each has a unique function that can significantly impact water experiences. Today’s blog will explore the differences between paddles and oars, helping you understand when and where these tools are most efficient and effective.

What Are Paddles and Oars?

First, it’s essential to understand what paddles and oars are and how they function.

Paddles are handheld tools used to propel a river raft, canoe, or kayak. With only one blade, paddlers typically sit facing forward toward the bow with the stern to their backs.

On the other hand, oars are long, lever-like tools fixed to boat sides with oarlocks. Rowers use oars by pulling them through the water while sitting with their backs to the bow, facing the stern. That allows for significant propulsion and control.

Pros and Cons of River Paddles

Paddles offer several advantages, particularly for river rafters, kayakers, or canoeists. They are lightweight, easy to manipulate quickly and provide a more intimate connection with the water.

In addition, paddles require more physical effort to maintain watercraft speed, control, and maneuverability. Their single-blade design can make them less efficient for long-distance travel, like crossing large bodies of water.

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to handle
  • Ideal for narrow or shallow waters
  • Provides a close connection to the water

Cons

  • More physically demanding
  • Less efficient for long distances
  • Limited control in rough waters

Pros and Cons of Boat Oars

Oars used to row dinghies, skiffs, or dories are set into a fixed position on rowboats. There are two basic shapes for oars: flat blades and spoon blades. The hull shape determines the oar blade shape. For example, the rounded hull of a canoe would perform best using a spoon blade, while a flat blade would be for a flat bottom dory boat.

Oars are the tool of choice for making powerful strokes that propel the watercraft in a straight line, especially over long distances. Additionally, oars are more stable in rough or turbulent waters. However, they are bulkier and require more setup and space, which can be limiting in smaller boats or on quick trips.

Pros

  • Powerful and efficient
  • Better control in rough waters
  • Suitable for long-distance travel

Cons

  • Bulky, long, and heavy
  • Requires more setup
  • Less maneuverable in tight spaces

Choosing the Right Tool for Your Water Adventure

Selecting between paddles and oars depends mainly on the type of watercraft you plan to use and the nature of your adventure. A paddle is ideal for navigating narrow rivers or leisure float trips downriver.

On the other hand, if you aim to cover more substantial distances or navigate larger, open waters, oars offer the efficiency and control you need. Common considerations are:

  • Type of watercraft
  • Body of water (river, lake, lagoon, canal, channel, sea, ocean, fjord)
  • Water terrain (narrow or wide, shallow, open, rough, water flow)
  • Distance and duration of the water adventure

Rafting Paddles are for Rivers

Ultimately, choosing paddles or oars depends on your specific needs and the nature of your water adventure. Both tools have unique advantages and can offer a fantastic way to enjoy water activities.

By understanding these differences, you should better understand why your rivercraft at Lazy Days Resort gets equipped with a paddle instead of an oar. Book your next river experience and cabin stay at Lazy Days Resort!

Craig SandersElk River Float, McDonald County, Noel MO, Pineville MO, Southwest Missouri

Diagram of the Fundamental Elements of a River Rafting Boat

When it comes to river rafting boats, the inflatable raft has fundamental elements that every member of a rafting team should know. In today’s blog, we’ll diagram those essential elements on a raft, pointing out and describing each area, including but not limited to:

  • Bow of a raft
  • River raft stern
  • Chafe pad
  • The thwart
  • Raft tube
  • A baffle
  • Seams
  • Raft Floor
  • Pressure release valve

River Rafting Boat

Most novice river-rafters in the four states region of U. S. know the bow and the stern area on a river raft. As the sport has grown and gained popularity, raft designs have evolved to meet the varying river conditions.

So whether you’re rafting down the calm waters of the Elk River near Noel, Missouri, or rafting the class I rapids of the Big Sugar near Pineville, Missouri, here are the essential design elements of a river raft.

Bow of a Raft

The front of a raft, or any watercraft, is known as the bow. The bow gives a raft lift to go over the waves, providing a drier float trip. There are also low-rise rafts commonly used along the Elk River, which is a calm water float trip.

River Raft Stern

The back of a raft is known as the stern. It’s commonly where a river guide would sit to perform master maneuvers for steering the boat on a whitewater rafting trip. But when it comes to the easy-flowing waters of the Elk River and the Big Sugar, you can self-guide your river float.

Chafe Pad

The chafe pads lower the friction caused by wear and tear since this is where you sit and paddle in a river raft.

The Thwart

The cross-section pieces are known as thwarts, which are positioned perpendicularly to the raft tubes to add rigidity to the raft. In addition, thwarts can act as a foothold to give paddlers leverage and support in swift-moving currents.

Raft Tube

All river rafts get designed with an air-filled tube, which gives a raft its buoyancy to stay afloat on a river. The perimeter tube gets subdivided into individual sections. The minimum diameter is 15 to 16 inches. The more surface area, the greater the flotation capacity.

A Baffle

The sections around the perimeter of the raft are the baffles, essentially individual chambers of air. A single raft can have as many baffles as needed, from bow to stern, to encompass the entire floor of a raft to hold 2 to 8 people. If one chamber, or baffle, gets punctured, the raft will stay afloat.

Seams

Each baffle gets conjoined through a specialty welding process that fuses two baffles that form the seams between each baffle.

Raft Floor

Like the baffles, the raft floor gets adhered to the bottom of the tube. Depending upon a specific raft’s design, the floor is sometimes wrapped entirely around the outside of the tube for added strength for whitewater rafting. However, the rivers of Southwest Missouri are not known for having wild whitewater rafting.

Pressure Release Valves

Also, a feature of a raft floor is the pressure-release valves found commonly on self-bailing rafts. Valves can get checked easily for leaks by sitting on the sides to listen for hissing.

Raft Valve

Inside the raft are side valves too. Although these valves can get blocked by gear in a loaded raft, the valves should be readily accessible in the event of over-inflation, or there’s an urgent hot air expanse that needs to be released.

Book Your Next River Float Trip

Book your next river float at Lazy Days Resort near Noel, MO, your premier rental location for river float trips. They also offer full hookup RVing, tent campsites, or cabin stays. Book your stay today at Lazy Days Resort and Campground today!

Getting to Lazy Days Resort & Campground is a one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49. Take exit 5 at mile marker 6. The resort is between the charming towns of Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

Craig SandersElk River Float, River Float, River Rafts

Two Simple River Rafting Paddle Maneuvers In Every River-goers Toolbox

River floats are a popular outdoor activity during the summer months throughout southwest Missouri. It’s an excellent way to make memories that last a lifetime with friends.

But every river-goer knowns that there are two essential paddle maneuvers needed to easily navigate the easy-flowing waters of the Elk River near Noel, Missouri, which are:

  • Forward stroke
  • Reverse stroke

Each stroke has a directional purpose in a river raft and is easy to complete, whether the river current is easy and slow or fast-moving with many rapids. By understanding how each of these paddle strokes work, you will be able to complete a successful river launch and navigate your way:

  • Across a river
  • downriver, or
  • Upriver, if you choose

Successful Completion of Any Paddle Stroke Technique

For any paddle stroke to be completed successfully, it’s essential to know the three phases of a single stroke.

  1. Catch phase
  2. Power phase
  3. Recovery phase

By understanding these phases and how they work together, you can conserve energy for a more relaxing, good time on your river float trip.

The Catch Phase

The most critical phase out of the three is the catch phase. At this phase, a paddle blade makes first contact with the water. For the step to get completed successfully, the paddle blade must be fully plunged into the water up to the paddle throat before the power phase begins.

The Power Phase

Now the power phase, or power stroke, can begin. With all paddlers working in unison, this phase is the most efficient and effective way to move across the water.

Each paddler in the raft will hold on to the t-grip of the paddle using their inside hand coming cross-body to grasp the t-grip while the outside hand holds onto the shaft; in unison, the paddlers in the boat lean forward to drag the raft past the paddle(s). It is the in-unison work that gives this phase its name, power.

The Recovery Phase

The final phase of a stroke is the recovery phase when the paddle blade is lifted from the water and brought forward before plunging into the water to execute another stroke.

Forward Stroke for Maximum Efficiency

The forward stroke is the single most important paddle stroke in a river float. It propels a raft forward while keeping the boat in a straight line. When done correctly, it’s an incredibly efficient technique that saves you energy and keeps your raft moving swiftly.

Reverse Stroke for Directional Control

The reverse paddle stroke, sometimes called the back stroke, is an essential technique for river rafting and other river sports. It gives you maximum control over your raft’s direction. The method involves paddling in a backward direction while facing forward, which helps you to make quick turns and navigate through narrow passages.

Book A River Float Today

Booking a river float with Lazy Days Resort is easy. If you have specific dates in mind, you can check all the available dates through their online booking system for floats down:

The resort is situated between Pineville and Noel, Missouri. Getting to Lazy Days Resort is a short one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49. Take exit 5 at mile marker 6.

If you have a minute or two, read what our past guests had to say about their stays.

Craig SandersCanoes, Elk River Float, Kayaks, River Float, River Rafts

Essential Paddle Grips Every River Floater Should Know

Whether you’re new to river sports or a born river explorer, there is much to be said about proper paddle grips. While gripping a river paddle may seem instinctive, improperly grasping a paddle with both hands holding onto the shaft is a primary reason for injuries sustained in the boat. Although, keep in mind that most rivers in Missouri are easy enough to float down without an expert river guide.

So if you’re paddling down the easy flow of the Elk River outside Noel, Missouri, or maneuvering the class I or II rapids in the Big Sugar Creek near Pineville, Missouri, paddle grip is an essential piece of knowledge that serves you and your fellow floaters well.

Paddle Grips

Regarding paddle grip, keeping hold of a paddle while rafting, canoeing, or kayaking a river ranked as a class I rapid or above is essential. However, it may not be as crucial while floating down Elk River because it’s rated lower than a class I rapid, making it an ideal family-friendly float. 

Therefore, knowing the two common paddle types can help you better prepare for when you must paddle. Whether you’re launching from the river edge or paddling to shore, there are different grip styles for both of these paddles:

  • Single-blade Paddle
  • Double-blade Paddle

Single-Blade Paddle

Canoes and rafts generally come outfitted with a single-blade paddle because there can be more than one paddler for these types of watercraft.

Single-blade paddles come with two different types of grips: asymmetrical and T-grip. The asymmetrical grip generally gets used in lake crafts, like canoes. However, most river vessels come with a T-grip design.

Both grip designs give a paddler the most significant leverage with the least resistance. Depending upon which side of the craft you are paddling on, you will always wrap your palm around the T-grip cross body.

For example, paddlers on a raft on the right side of the boat will grasp the T-grip with their left hand. While paddlers on the left side of the rivercraft hold the t-grip using their right hand.

In a canoe, it depends upon whether there is a solo paddler or a two-person paddle team. If there are two paddlers, the team must communicate well which side of the boat they should paddle on to direct the craft to shore or cross-river. 

For solo paddlers with single blades, it’s a matter of swapping hand positions to ensure the cross-body hand is always holding the paddle grip, depending upon which side of the canoe the blade is on. 

In other words, if the blade is in the water to the paddler’s left, the right-hand grasps the T-grip. If the paddle blade is in the water to the paddler’s right, the left hand will grab the top of the T-grip (as seen with the paddler above). 

The other hand will always hold on to the shaft. For canoes, that will depend upon where you’re seated, in the bow (front) or the stern (rear). It will be the strongest paddler sitting at the stern who instructs the person seated at the bow. That’s because the person in the stern will steer the boat.

However, paddling in a river raft is different. First, it depends upon which side of the craft you sit on. If you’re seated on the port (left) side of the raft, your left hand will hold onto the shaft of the paddle, while those sitting on the starboard (right) side of the vessel grasp the paddle shaft with the right hand. 

Double-Blade Paddle

On the other hand, kayakers use a double-blade paddle, which provides greater efficiency in traversing river currents and slightly improves a kayaker’s speed. For kayakers paddle lengths can range from approximately 79″ to 81″. 

The blades are typically feathered and can rotate using a center ferrule, meaning the blades on a kayak paddle can rotate in opposing directions. That gives kayakers an advantage in wind conditions and the ability to paddle upstream.

The grip on a double-blade paddle is pretty straightforward: you wrap both hands around the shaft between the blades. Keeping your hands slightly wider than shoulder length apart and bent at 90 degrees at the elbow is the most comfortable position in a kayak.

Book A Stay Along Elk River in Missouri

Looking for an ideal location along the Elk River? Contact Lazy Days in Noel, MO, the premier rental site for river float trips. They offer prime Elk River RVing, tent campsites, and recently upgraded cabin rentals. So book your stay today at Lazy Days Resort and Campground!

Getting to Lazy Days Campground is a one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49. Take exit 5 at mile marker 6. The resort location sits between the charming towns of Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

Read what past guests had to say about Lazy Days Resort.

Craig SandersCabins, Campsites, Canoes, Kayaks, Noel MO, Pineville MO, River Rafts, RVing

Choosing A River Float Craft for You and Your Fellow Floaters

Whether you’re a novice river rafter or an expert river kayaker, knowing which river float craft is suitable can be a big decision for yourself and your fellow floaters. That’s where this helpful tool can help you make the best selection when booking your next Elk River or Big Sugar float trip.

You’ll discover the specific differences between three float vessel options commonly available to choose from when you book your stay at a Noel, MO, campground on Elk River.

  • River raft
  • Individual kayak
  • Tandem kayak
  • Multi-person canoe

Elk River and Big Sugar Creek

There are some distinct differences between Elk River and Big Sugar Creek.

The Elk River is an ideal family-friendly river with few rapids and fewer river obstacles. Presently running at a depth of 4.28 feet, making its flow rate suitable and manageable for river floaters seeking to cool off. On the other hand, the Big Sugar Creek categorizes below a class I rapid, and at certain times of the year, it ranks as a class II.

The Big Sugar is running at a depth between 3.90 and 5.88 feet. Although considered low in some areas, the chances of a watercraft dragging the river bottom or having to portage are low.

River Raft

There are two standard river rafts for any Elk River float trip. There is a 12-13 foot raft that seats six people comfortably. You can also select a 14-15 foot raft for 8-people. Both crafts are well suited for a gentle float down Elk River with little paddling and negotiating required. 

Individual Kayak

If you are one for individual sports, a personal kayak is ideal for you or anyone paddling alongside you down the Elk River or the Big Sugar Creek. Bound to deliver a unique kayaking experience to test your reflexes and challenge you with a good cardio workout.

Tandem Kayak

Two-person kayaks, also known as tandem kayaks, are an excellent choice for those who play well on a team. You’ll work together to paddle to increase or slow your speed as a team. The perfect watercraft for any couples weekend in a Noel, Missouri, campground.

Tandem kayaks perform well on Elk River and Big Sugar Creek this time of year.

Multi-Person Canoe

Most canoes can be paddled down river easily by one or two people. But most canoes can hold up to three people comfortably. These river vessels are superior in lightweight aluminum construction that shine in paddle control down Elk River or the Big Sugar Creek.

Book Your Elk River RVing Campsite

If you’re ready for a relaxing weekend stay, Lazy Days Resort and Campground is a one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49. Take exit 5 at mile marker 6. The resort is conveniently nestled between the towns of Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

Lazy Days in Noel, MO, is the premier rental for river float trips. Call Lazy Days to book your Elk River RVing site now! 

Discover what other guests had to say about Lazy Days Resort.

Craig SandersCampsites, Canoes, Elk River Float, Kayaks, Noel MO, River Rafts, RVing