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 BoatDrownings Other Deaths Total Deaths Total Injuries Total Casualties 1 Open Motorboat Personal Watercraft Cabin Motorboat Canoe/Kayak Pontoon Source: USCG 2011 Recreational Boating Accident Statistics
Don’t be next! March 2012 Outside Air Temp: 81 Degrees Water 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 Immersion Everyone 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 dress with 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: ft Touring: 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 Noodles Come 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 Angle Low Angle
Paddles - Pricing Carbon 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 Basics GoodBad 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/Outerwe ar 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 Basics Summer Comfortable Quick Drying Offer good sun protection Enough warmth for immersion Sleek and won’t get hung up during a wet exit
Warm Water Season June 1 to September 30
Clothing Basics Fall/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 Season October 1 to May 31 The Drysuit Option
Cold Water Season Oct –Nov April-May Farmer John/Paddle jacket