scout
To get out of the boat and walk to a vantage point to look at a rapid or drop before running it. Scouting is the act of reading moving water from shore — identifying the line, locating hazards, planning the moves. Not scouting when you should is how people get hurt.
Etymology
Old French escouter, to listen, from Latin auscultare. The original meaning is about paying attention — listening before acting.
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