Casual Kayakers

Casual Kayakers

Overview

Safety

Equipment

Clothing

Who is more likely to have a serious accident?

A Few Boring Statistics

70% of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84% were not wearing a life jacket.

8 out of every 10 boaters who drowned were using vessels less than 21 feet in length.

Source: USCG 2011 Recreational Boating Accident Statistics

Vessel Types with Top Casualty Numbers

Casualty Rank Type of Boat Drownings Other

DeathsTotal

DeathsTotal

InjuriesTotal

Casualties

1 Open Motorboat 253 121 374 1610 1984

2 Personal Watercraft 18 26 44 764 808

3 Cabin Motorboat 24 23 47 277 324

4 Canoe/Kayak 118 16 134 116 250

5Pontoon

21 11 32 87 119

Source: USCG 2011 Recreational Boating Accident Statistics

Don’t be next!

March 2012Outside Air Temp: 81 DegreesWater Temp: 37 Degrees

Best Safety Attributes

• Common Sense

•Good Judgement

•Honesty with

Yourself

Rules 1 & 2

#1 Rule: Wear your PFD!

#2 Rule: WEAR YOUR

PFD!

#3 - Dress for ImmersionEveryone Capsizes…it’s not a matter

of “if”, it’s a matter of “when”

A Basic Guideline

Air Temp: 50

+

Water Temp: 60

= less than 130

You should dresswith protective clothing

* Anytime the water is 55 degrees or below, you should dress in protective clothing

Good Judgement/Common Sense

– Know the weather forecast and

expected local conditions

– Know the abilities/capabilities of the

people you are paddling with

– BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF ABOUT

YOUR OWN ABILITIES

Technique

• Kayaking is safer and more fun if you

have basic skills

– Self and assisted rescue

– Basic strokes

• Don’t be too shy to participate in

lessons or skill sessions

Practice• Practice what your learn everytime you

paddle…perfect your technique

Equipment

Minimally Equipped

Well Equipped

Everything in Dry Bags

Kayaks

• Choose a kayak for the “type”

of paddling you do now……

and plan to do in near future!

Key Features All Kayaks Need

• Water tight compartments or

floatation

• Deck lines – front and back deck

(bungees are NOT decklines)

• Grab handles – Front and rear

Nice To Have Features

• Comfortable seat with low back

brace

• Good arrangement of deck bungees

• Rudder or Skeg

Kayaks

• Sea Kayaks: 14- 20 ft

• Touring: 12-14 ft

Kayaks

Recreational: 8-12 ft

Kayaks

Sit-On-Top: 8 – 16 ft

Kayak Floatation

Commercial Bags• Come in variety of sizes• $50-$70 a set

Styrofoam Pool NoodlesCome in lots of colors!About $1 - $1.50 each

PFD’s

Type III Type III Inflatable Type V Rescue

PFD Key Features

• Comfortable to wear

• Does not “ride up” in the water

• Adjustment straps at the waist, sides, and

shoulders

• Meets your needs as a paddler (pockets,

etc.)

• Meets USCG standards

PFD’s

Paddle’s

Euro Paddles$75 - $500

Greenland Paddles$125 - $550

Euro Paddles

What type is right for you?

High AngleLow Angle

Paddles - PricingCarbon Fiber• Extremely light weight• Durable• Expensive $300-$500

Fiberglass• Fairly lightweight, but not like Carbon• Extremely durable• Usually have a carbon or lightweight shaft• Mid-range prices $200 -$275

Plastic• Very heavy, usually heavy metal shaft• Blades is not usually rigid• Inexpensive $50 -$100

Paddle Length

• Depends on your style of paddling

– High Angle (205 cm – 220 cm)

– Low Angle (210 cm – 230 cm)

• Go as short as you are comfortable

• Don’t buy a paddle over 230 cm – it’s

too long for any paddler

Draw Stroke

Clothing

Dress for Immersion

Clothing BasicsGoo

dBad

• Base Layers• Quick Drying• Moisture Wicking

• Smartwool, PolyPro, Silk, Nylon/Spandex

• Can Be Layered• Provides warmth

when wet

• Outerwear• Waterproof/

Windproof• Protection From

Cold Water• Gore-Tex, Neoprene

• Base/Outerwear• Slow Drying• Moisture

Absorbing• Cotton, Denim,

Street Clothes in General

• Definite No’s• Street Clothes• Sandals/Krocs• Shorts/Pants with

Big Cargo Pockets/Cords

NO….NO…..NO

Clothing BasicsSummer

• Comfortable

• Quick Drying

• Offer good sun protection

• Enough warmth for immersion

• Sleek and won’t get hung up during a wet exit

Warm Water SeasonJune 1 to September 30

Clothing BasicsFall/Winter/

Spring• Comfortable

• Moisture Wicking Base Layers

• Waterproof Outerwear or Neoprene

• Head and Hand Protection

• Sleek and won’t get hung up during a wet exit

Cold Water SeasonOctober 1 to May 31

The Drysuit Option

Cold Water SeasonOct –Nov April-May

Farmer John/Paddle jacket