Safety
Reading the Weather Before & During a Kayak Trip
I have always wanted to be able to easily read the weather without having to look it up online or hear it on the radio. For kayaking, knowing the weather is extremely important. I have had the misfortune of being out on the ocean having a happy paddling experience when sudden winds picked up and no matter how hard I paddled, I seemed to get nowhere and if I stopped paddling I would get blown backwards. Let me tell you... (Continue reading...)
Safety Information for Ocean Kayaking
For those of you who love the experience of ocean kayaking there are a few things that need to be considered before starting your trip. The ocean surf and the weather can be very unpredictable and if you are planning a kayaking trip of any length or distance you will want to check navigation charts, tides and currents, the marine forecast and weather as well as the surf forecast. To be honest this is not my forte. Anyone... (Continue reading...)
How to Safely Wet Exit and Swim with your Kayak
When a kayak capsizes we are automatically dumped from our kayak. If exiting an overturned kayak has not been practiced it can be a scary experience. There are a few simple steps that can help to calmly slide out of your capsized kayak and keep hold of your paddle while you are doing it. If you are recreational kayaking in flat water and are wearing your lifejacket then you do not need to be too concerned about being... (Continue reading...)
How to Empty a Capsized Kayak
Have you ever had the misfortune of tipping your kayak in the water… with you in it? If you are wearing your lifejacket this is usually not that big of a deal. It can happen easily and if it does you need to know how to empty the water out of your overturned kayak. Just a little bit of extra water in your cockpit can greatly affect the balance of your boat and make it very difficult to paddle. Hopefully you will be... (Continue reading...)
Packing an Inflatable Kayak First Aid & Safety Kit
If you have a standard first aid and safety kit that you have with you at all times while kayaking then you don’t ever have to worry. You know you are prepared for the worst and you can enjoy and have fun. Packing your own safety kit is easy… you just need a few essentials. Below is a list of items to have in your first aid and safety kit: Waterproof bandaids – for cuts, blisters and owies Waterproof matches... (Continue reading...)
Inflatable Kayak Safety Tips
There are always safety risks while traveling through water and kayaking is no different. By being aware of a few safety precautions you can glide through the water worry free. Safety Tip #1 – Always wear a lifejacket that is securely fastened so as not to slip off in the rapids. Safety Tip #2 – Dress for the elements. Being too cold, too hot, or very wet makes for a lousy kayaking experience. Safety Tip #3 –... (Continue reading...)
