I do not aim with my hand, I aim with my eye. I do not launch with my paddle, I launch with my mind. I do not boof with my kayak, I boof with my heart!”
– The Boofslinger’s Creed
A lean boof is when you launch a boof off of a drop with deep water at the lip and take a hard lean to help lift your bow higher. It is a fun and essential move for all aspiring creek boaters to master. The ability to lean and launch your boat will accelerate you clear of holes. It will also keep your bow up to avoid a pesky piton.
For the lean boof specifically, you want to have a lip that is deep so your boat will not make contact with a rock. Having the depth to confidently lean your kayak will give you the freedom to get the most out of your lean boof!
How to do a lean boof
Here are the steps to take in order to ensure a clean launch, a dry bow, and a smooth, upright landing away from danger.
1. Aim
Plan your path and spot your launch point. Half the battle of getting a good boof is making it to the boof spot lined up properly and with momentum. So eyeing up where you want to go with your kayak and putting your kayak on the correct line helps make it easier to cruise down the runway to your launch point. Some lean boofs will have a wave or curler to aim for while others will just have a horizon line for you to time your move with.
2. Accelerate
First head toward your launch point with solid, steady strokes. You want to be moving at a speed faster than the current. So go at a controllable speed, preferably increasing your speed all the way to the launch point. Going full speed for a long period of time can make holding your line and timing your boof stroke trickier. Getting your kayak on the correct line from the start will make it easier to take smooth, momentum building strokes and time your final launch stroke at the right spot. So if you are offline in the approach, that can lead to correction strokes and lateral movement, which will throw off your speed and angle.
3. Lean
Giving a solid lean will allow you to lift your bow easier to launch out. So tilt your kayak as close to 90 degrees on its side as you feel comfortable. Then this will minimize the surface area on the tail, allowing it to slice under some, and will match the angle of the water coming off the lip of the drop. Then your boof stroke, which should be a long drawn out stroke, should support your boof and flow smoothly in line with the lean. Then the more comfortable you get leaning on edge the more aggressively you can lean to increase the amount of lift you get off your launch.
4. Crank
The deeper water at the lip of a good lean boof drop allows for a deep, vertical, and powerful boof stroke. This long, draw out stroke should last long enough for you to say “YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!” or “BOOOOOOFFFFFF!”. Your top hand should reach across to the opposite side of your forehead for extra pulling power. Then rotate your torso with the stroke, crunching your abs to pull more lift, and pull all the way through.
5. Transition
Once you are free of the drop, you need to back off your lean and get the boat back to flat. To protect your back on landing, tuck your body slightly forward of center. Move your paddle to the side so your shaft is away from your face and you are ready for the next stroke.
6. Land
Keep your weight forward and your paddle to the side so you are ready to take a stroke or brace if you need to. You can also push down with your heels to stomp your bow down a little to soften the landing.
7. Celebrate
Because every well executed boof will leave you with a feeling of euphoria! So pump your fist and let out a yell! Awesomeness deserves to be celebrated!
Lean Boof Practice
Learning to time your lean, stroke, and body movements will help you hone your ability to do a lean boof. Thus it takes practice and requires you to build the comfort to put your boat on edge and balance there. So develop a love for your edges and leaning your kayak! Your skills will improve drastically when you are able to confidently lean and balance your kayak on edge.
Of course there are several drills you can do to get more comfortable on edge. Balancing on edge in flatwater, paddling for short distances while leaning on edge, and side surfing holes are just a few things you can do to improve your lean. Then the more in harmony you are with your edges, the better you can head into your boof with conviction and complete confidence! Happy boofing!
The Lean Boof in Action
Bobby Miller
Calleva River School Instructor
Here at the River School, Bobby Miller is a main component of the instructor team. Bobby leads Fall Training, Cheat Training, Yough Training, Green Training…. whatever you want to train for, the Zone Dogg turned elementary school teacher, can get you there!
If you’re still not impressed, Bobby is a pro athlete ⎯ sponsored by Team Calleva, Accent Paddles, Immersion Research and Astral. He also has multiple first descents on rivers, creeks, and waterfalls throughout the United States.
