There are a lot of different commands used based on geography and difficultly. In generaly I want to use the fewest number of words to keep things simple for my paddlers. Here’s what I use:
For easier rivers (up to Class III)
Forward
Back
Stop
Right Turn
Left Turn
High Side
Get down (or lean in or hold on)
High Five
For more difficult rivers
I replace High Side with Over Left and Over Right
Get down is emphasized
I am more and more against paddle by numbers (i.e. "forward 2, forward 2 more…) which seems to becoming more and more popular.
I agree with most of what everyone is saying here. I like my commands to as much as possible start with a different word and be as unique as possible so they are less likely to be confused. For example instead of right back, I’d use right turn, that way whenever they hear back they know to back paddle that way avoiding some people maybe not hearing the right in right back.
In general I’m not a fan of hold on with paddle rafts since it seems like many people take their hand of their paddle t to do so. On certain rare rivers where I am worried about people washing out of a raft I’ll use it but I’ll train it hard teach it in a way that they don’t let go of their paddle t’s. Most rivers I’m more concerned about paddle t’s than someone falling in the river. Similarly with overs I want to train crews hard to make sure they aren’t letting go of their paddle t’s.
Here are my commands
Forward
Backpaddle ( I also like teaching “ready to backpaddle” to have paddlers have their paddles shafts on their hips with the blade situated to backpadddle.
right turn
left turn
stop
get down
over right (I teach this to all my crews and make the point that it is almost always toward the downstream tube, when practicing it I also make sure they are moving towards the downstream tube and the obstacle like a hole or rock, that way when they hear over they should be prepared before the second word for which direction they will be moving
over left
back on the job
travel forward - for covering long stretches of flatwater, where the front two people will paddle a given number of strokes usually around 12, then the middle two people and then the back two in a 6 load. Gives people a rest and time to get water while keeping the boar moving downstream. On windy flat days in the grand canyon I can usually smoke all the gear rafts without exhausting my crew.
Easy forward - still great technique but like 80%. I find this to be more efficient, keeps me going where I want without getting too much momentum
right side or left side only, there are those times when you are ferrying, trying to get into or stay in an eddy where you want just one side to paddle. This is a teachable moment command
Bump - while it isn’t really command I do discuss and teach what to do - lean in and get your weight on your feet
draws, for fun with some groups I teach draws
paddle at will, after teaching draws I’ll at times use a paddle at will command which means everyone can use which ever stroke they think is best, no one can tell anyone else what stroke to do but everyone can discuss where they want the raft to go. I really like this with kids. Many times I’ve ended up stuffing my paddle blade under the thwart and just letting them guide me down the river. Adults don’t seem to like it quite as much.
I also don’t like forward one, two, etc.
Here is an article I wrote about paddle commands for rafting courses I used to teach.
And then I add: “Tone is the sixth command.” ie “forward” (softly) is different than “FORWARD” (loudly); I tell my crew to match their effort to the urgency in my voice.
I am a BIG fan of “Forward once” (and “Again,” if necessary). I find that calling “Forward once” produces a much crisper and more consistent “burst” than calling “Forward” which can produce a sluggish response. I use it primarily when fine-tuning my entry point to a rapid and it works for me.
My paddle commands are very different in a low water technical river, than in a high volume river. They are also different when I’m paddle guiding a heavy 16’ boat vs. guiding a light small boat. They are also different if my back is hurting that day (having paddlers do more of the stearing with more leftside & right side commands).
I saw Zach’s YouTube video, did you know he has a channel? check it out I agree with most of what he said, but all rivers are different. Counting strokes does have its place. On lower class river day trips, in low water, the guests adrenaline is just not there, it becomes a sight seeing tour on a raft. Saying “give me me 3” even if you need to say twice in a row, focuses the team. Calling forward or continuous forward works for just a few strokes then the team looses sync and focus. When I do day trips on the the local class IV rivers the crews are more energetic and we end up running harder water with less commands, because the water gets their attention. On very low risk family runs, counting strokes is a good guide tool.
I agree with most of what he said, but all rivers are different. Counting strokes does have its place. On lower class river day trips, in low water, the guests adrenaline is just not there, it becomes a sight seeing tour on a raft. Saying “give me me 3” even if you need to say twice in a row, focuses the team. Calling forward or continuous forward works for just a few strokes then the team looses sync and focus. When I do day trips on the the local class IV rivers the crews are more energetic and we end up running harder water with less commands, because the water gets their attention. On very low risk family runs, counting strokes is a good guide tool.