RUDE:

In our trainning we learned many survival skills needed to be bodyguards to the President. "How to make a vessel to get down Karl's River" was a primary class.

Firstly I would get Reno to slice at a palm tree till it fell over. Then cut the tree in half, using some of the leaves to tie the 2 pieces together.

As for a brake I would need Reno to chop down another tree and cut it in 2 again but this time not in half, but all the way near the top. After he does that I'd take that piece and secure its edges firmly on the both sides of my vessel, using some of ShinRa's high tech equipment, and there I have a brake. How is it brake? Well, the entire time the tree would be in the water so the entire time it would slow me down letting me steer carefully using the leaves on the tree in front.

If I need to speed up then first off I'd have maybe 1 or 2 extra logs like my brake so that when I need to speed up I'd cut off the ropes that hold my brake and then let the water take me faster but at the same time making a new brake ready to throw in the water at anytime.

Ahem...mmm...