How To Punt

Punting can be great fun. If you’re not an expert you can still enjoy it. However, your punt will be more enjoyable if learn how to punt properly. You don’t want to spend your first two hours getting stuck in a river bank.

• Firstly, you stand at the back of the boat.
• Then drop the pole as vertically as possible.
• Then push against the river bed.
• As you lift the pole out of the river bed, be careful of the direction of the pole. As the boat will steer in the direction of the pole.
• If you want the boat to turn to the right, you stick out the pole to the right
• An important trick is to avoid sudden changes in directions. Make small adjustments.
• Lift the pole out of the water, then let it fall back into the water. Just let it fall through your hands and allow the weight of the pole to find the bottom of the water.
• Then push again. After pushing, don’t be in a rush to pull the pole out of the water. Gently guide the pole in the direction you want to go. Then gradually lift it out again.
• When you are learning. Start off slowly and methodically. As you get the hang you will be able to speed up.
• The whole art of punting is to be graceful and deliberate. It is not like using an exercise machine with frantic efforts.
• If you get stuck in a bank use a paddle to get yourself out.