Whether you are a novice or experienced paddler, these safety tips from the American Canoe Association can be a life-saver.
Warm weather means water sports. If learning to kayak or canoe has been on your "to do" list, there's great free booklet available from the American Canoe Association, which was founded in 1880 to promote paddling -- and paddling safely. The group also promotes kayaking, which was not popular a century ago but is now.
The Beginner's Guide to Canoe & Kayak Paddling offers great "how to" tips, including some that can be life-savers.
-- Paddling terms and jargon,
-- Paddling gear, both essential and optional,
-- How to pack your boat,
-- The fundamentals of paddling,
-- Basic safety tips and issues, and
-- How to care for and maintain your boat.
There are several practical checklists and forms to help both the novice and experienced paddlers: a gear checklist, a pre-launch checklist, and a float plan. Even if you are an experienced paddler, these tips are a great refresher course.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, some 500 people drowned annually during family boating excursions, and many of these accidents can be prevented by better safety and training. Number one safety tip -- nobody gets into the canoe or kayak or canoe without wearing a lifevest.
For more information about boating and boating safety, check out Alan Sorum's boating and sailing articles here on Suite101.
For ideas on where to paddle, check out my article on kayaking and canoeing in Michigan's Northwest coast, click here.
