Safety Tips for Beginners

When entering or exiting kayak:
Place paddle down beside the kayak to free both hands.
Adjust foot -pegs to brace legs.
Adjust seat to a comfortable position

Keep head and shoulder inside of cockpit:
Don’t lean left or right.
Don’t look over the side by leaning upper body.
Don’t look back to visit or adjust the seat.
Stay centered upright in your seat.

Paddle:
Arms spread 90-degrees in an “L” shape:
Paddle stroke should be long- dip to top of blade
Stroke forward near feet on pegs
Pull stroke to behind shoulder

Wakes:
Go directly into boat wakes or waves as motion is up and down,
To take wakes or waves on your side, just swivel your hips you are in control.

Rafting up:
It doesn’t hurt the kayaks to hit each other.
Each person holds one end of the paddle and pulls you slowly together.
Always stabilize partners kayak to adjust seat etc. Rescue is also done by rafting up.

If your kayak tips over:
Don’t panic you will float and so will your paddle.

You will fall out and kayak may take some water (½ boat or less) in water rescue is possible.
Partner raft up get your paddle out of the way and stabilize your boat so you can pump out the water.
Pull your hip even with the seat, place one arm across the back rest of seat to hold it out of the way and roll into the seat.

If kayak is inverted (upside down):
Try to turn the boat upright

If the boat swamps (totally full of water):
Use bow rope and tie to stern (back) of rescue partner’s boat with minimum extra line so the kayak in tow does not fishtail.
Person in water holds back of cockpit deck bungees and partner paddles to the nearest shore
Pull rescue boat up the beach
*Swamped kayak will be very heavy and will take two people to slowly pour the water out.

Check wind and current:
Paddle kayak a short distance from shore, stop and watch the shoreline to see which direction you start drifting
Try to paddle upwind. If wind increases you will drift toward finish of paddle or back to where you started.
Be aware of increases in the wind and stay close to shore. There is less wind along the shoreline and smaller waves.

**Always tell someone where you are paddling and the estimated time you will return. Be safe and have fun!

This is my first time kayaking. What do I need to know?
As a pre-requisite for our first time paddlers, we require that you take our Kayak 101 safety and instruction course which will tell you everything you need to know before you set out to enjoy your trip. This lesson is about 15 minutes and includes: kayak safety, operating the kayak, paddles, and personal flotation devices.

What if I tip over?
Safety training is included with every kayak rental. Everyone who goes on the water is given safety instructions that clearly detail what to do in this situation. Self- rescue is an important part of our safety training. You will learn how to prevent “tip over” and how to re-enter the kayak if you do tip. *See [Safety Tips for Beginners].

What do I need to wear?
Be sure to dress in layers. We recommend bringing a jacket and wear clothing that can get a little wet. Sunscreen is important as the sunlight reflects off the water and is more intense.

What do I need to bring?
Be sure to bring sunscreen, a camera, and water with you. The marina kayak store sells waterproof bags to place your personal belongings in so they don’t get wet. You may also want to bring a towel along with you.

Are your kayaks more stable than a canoe?
We use a Wilderness Systems Recreational Kayak. The model is the Pungo Classic. The hull is a multi-chine. At 29 inches wide, this kayak delivers easy handling and tracking. Because of its width, this kayak is extremely stable and not at all "tippy".

We have small children, is it safe for them to kayak with us?
Absolutely! We have a 13' 10" family kayaks that provide enough comfortable space that is perfect for two adults and a small passenger. The beam on this kayak is 31.5" and it holds 450 lbs total. It is an extremely safe and stable kayak and also very popular.

I’m 6’8” tall; do you have a kayak for me?
We most certainly do, our Loon 138 will give you plenty of leg room, is very stable, and is an excellent choice for taller larger built people.

Do I have to be an active athlete to kayak?
Not at all, that’s what's so wonderful about kayaking. You can paddle at your own pace. The kayaks are light and move through the water with ease, even with light paddle strokes. The cockpits are roomy and easy to get in and out of, even for full-size paddlers. Our single kayak has a weight capacity of 325lbs.

Is Kayaking a safe activity for the family?
Absolutely! Kayaking is a fun and safe activity the entire family. It’s perfect for all ages, and a great way to get out and exercise with the ones you love! We provide personal floating devises (PFD’s) for all age groups and have a large variety of children’s sizes.
Don’t see your question here? [Contact us]! We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!