Whitewater SUPing without the right gear is like playing American football - being the only one without a helmet. "White water can sometimes reach flow speeds of 10 km/h," says Klaus "Cosmo" Frieser, who has been a canoe instructor and canyoning and rafting guide for 30 years. And what lurks above and below the water in the event of a fall is often sharper than any kerb. After a complicated shin injury with surgery, hospitalisation and all the trimmings, he would rather have one more protector than not enough. However, he hesitates briefly when asked about the leash. "I make a distinction here. On blocked rivers with lots of rocks and trees, I don't use the leash. It's too easy to get caught there. In open water with a lot of pressure, on the other hand, the leash is a must. Depending on the water level, the Loisach can be categorised as WW 3+ to 4 and is riddled with stones, which I paddle without a leash, but with a leash on the Imster." To avoid life-threatening situations in the event of a "hang-up", it must be possible to release the leash at any time. With a smooth release directly on the body. Under no circumstances can you reach your ankle or knee with your hand in flowing water. In the waistcoat shown (below), pulling on the small ball releases the webbing and with it the stainless steel ring into which the leash is hooked at the back. Short fins are also particularly important, as sudden contact with rocks can lead to unpredictable falls, which are particularly nasty.
In addition to all the material precautions, Klaus also has a general safety tip: "If you lack experience, artificial river defences should always be bypassed. The dangers of weirs cannot be recognised by laypeople; there is an invisible, deadly trap lurking. A clear 'no go'!" You can find lots more information on safety, navigability of rivers and nature conservation restrictions at www.4-paddlers.com Klaus is also happy to help beginners, contact via Facebook (Klaus Cosmo Frieser).
With chin and impact protection
Board Cosmo has, of course, developed its own "Cosmo Snapper". Whitewater boards are generally between 9'2'' and 10'2'' long and 33 to 36 inches wide. They usually have three fins that are as short as possible, of which the outer ones are flexible and glued on. At 20 centimetres, the snapper has a particularly large bend at the front ("nose rocker" or "scoop") to prevent the board from cutting into the white water.
Paddle Pros prefer one-piece paddles with even and noticeable flex. The paddle blade should be as robust as possible, i.e. only carbon blades or made of GRP, which are in any case solidly laminated, no internally foamed blades. Klaus' paddle has no angle, "that's better for steering strokes".
Shoes Never wear neoprene surf shoes, because "there are always shards or scrap metal and screws lurking in the river". Shoes with a solid sole are therefore basic equipment. Old trainers are okay, good shoes can be found in the accessories for whitewater canoeing or canyoning.
Throwing bag Alongside carabiners, this is the most important tool for carrying out rescues of all kinds.
Impact protection waistcoat For lighter white water, in heavy white water PFD (personal flotation device) with recovery harness, the impact protection is included (as in the picture on the right).
Shin protector They come from mountain bike accessories. Hard shells are better suited to water than soft pads and shin and knee pads should be attached together as one piece, "otherwise the next stone is guaranteed to poke through right in between, which has already happened to me", warns the expert.
Dry suit Dry suits offer maximum freedom of movement. However, there is a risk of the suit being slit open "and then I'll drown", fears Klaus, which is why he prefers to wear a wetsuit in difficult white water and when teaching.
Fleece Cosy under your drysuit for cold water temperatures, as thin drysuits provide almost no insulation in the water. You can find suitable fleece overalls in the canoeing and diving accessories section.
Neoprene The better choice for hard white water, because it is safe even after damage (cannot fill up), also warms well in the water and has a slight impact protection function.
Helmet Mandatory. For hard white water with full protection, otherwise a normal half shell. All available in the kayak shop.
Leash "In blocked water with lots of rocks and trees, I go without a leash, but in open water with a lot of water pressure I use a leash - relatively long and no spiral leash." Klaus has a special knife with him just in case.
