1. Casual Kayakers

3. Overview  Safety  Equipment  Clothing

4. Who is more likely to have a serious accident?

5. 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

6. Vessel Types with Top Casualty Numbers Casualty Rank Type of BoatDrownings Other Deaths Total Deaths Total Injuries Total Casualties 1 Open Motorboat 25312137416101984 2 Personal Watercraft 182644764808 3 Cabin Motorboat 242347277324 4Canoe/Kayak11816134116250 5 Pontoon 21113287119 Source: USCG 2011 Recreational Boating Accident Statistics

7. Don’t be next! March 2012 Outside Air Temp: 81 Degrees Water Temp: 37 Degrees

8. Best Safety Attributes Common Sense Good Judgement Honesty with Yourself

9. Rules 1 & 2 #1 Rule: Wear your PFD! #2 Rule: WEAR YOUR PFD!

10. #3 - Dress for Immersion Everyone Capsizes…it’s not a matter of “if”, it’s a matter of “when”

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Practice Practice what your learn everytime you paddle…perfect your technique

15. Equipment

16. Minimally Equipped

17. Well Equipped

18. Everything in Dry Bags

19. Kayaks Choose a kayak for the “type” of paddling you do now……and plan to do in near future!

20. 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

21. Nice To Have Features Comfortable seat with low back brace Good arrangement of deck bungees Rudder or Skeg

22. Kayaks Sea Kayaks: 14- 20 ft Touring: 12-14 ft

23. Kayaks Recreational: 8-12 ft

24. Kayaks Sit-On-Top: 8 – 16 ft

25. 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

26. PFD’s Type III Type III Inflatable Type V Rescue

27. 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

28. PFD’s

29. Paddle’s Euro Paddles $75 - $500 Greenland Paddles $125 - $550

30. Euro Paddles What type is right for you? High Angle Low Angle

31. 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

32. 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

33. Draw Stroke

34. Clothing

35. Dress for Immersion

36. 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

37. NO….NO…..NO

38. 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

39. Warm Water Season June 1 to September 30

40. 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

41. Cold Water Season October 1 to May 31 The Drysuit Option

42. Cold Water Season Oct –Nov April-May Farmer John/Paddle jacket