Paddling Safety

The more you know about kayak safety, the better time you will have on the water!

Whether you are floating a new or used kayak, inflatable, fishing, or touring, you need to be safe at all times. Every kayak from Perception to Wilderness Systems to Current Design, will provide a great time- only you can provide your common sense.

Many of you are already informed, I'm sure in the areas of safety, and I invite you to add to this list as much or as little as you wish. Our combined knowledge can only help make kayak trips more successful.
I've put together a few basic paddling practices that everyone should become familiar with; you want safety precautions to be reflexes, not afterthoughts.


1. Pay attention at all times:
It's important to be aware of your surroundngs, especially if you encounter powerboats.
Stay alert and be ready to move out of danger (other boats, bridges, fallen trees, rocks).
Stay visible because others may not see you.
Have accessories like a horn, a whistle and a flashlight on hand.
2. Be considerate of others.
Share the water: Give others the room they need to enjoy themselves too (fishermen, swimmers).
Leave with what you brought (litter, cans & bottles, etc.).
3. Always wear your life jacket.
This one should be obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people think it is optional, or not necessary. We are no match for moving water, and no one wants to become fatigued from swimming back to shore if need be.Wear a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times on the water. It is your most important accessory.
4. Stay Low.
Learn how to enter and exit your kayak safely using your paddle, and stay low in your kayak when possible to avoid capsizing.
5. Keep your balance.
Don't overload your boat. Distribute, and secure kayak safety gear in storage even and low.
6. Practice the Wet Exit
Learn how to get out of, hang on to, right, and re-enter your capsized boat. Take a kayak basics class to feel certain you know how.
7. Dress appropriately.
Dress for the weather conditions and be prepared for cold-water immersion. Hypothermia ia a danger any time of the year. Have a change of clothes in your dry bag.
8. Plan ahead.
Know the water you're paddling, and file a "float plan" so that someone knows where to find you and when you plan to return.
9. Never Paddle Alone.
Companions can come to your aid if you get in trouble. New paddlers should paddle with someone more experienced. We have a forum to help paddlers group up.
10. Be in control.
Know how to move your boat forward, back, and sideways, and how to stop by using paddle strokes.

Happy Paddling Everyone!
Please feel free to add to this Blog- we would love to have feedback and get to know our paddling community.