Learning the basics from more experienced boaters is a safe way
to begin in any of the boating sports – whitewater and
touring kayaking, rafting, IKing, canoeing, etc. However, you
can learn only so much from following others. To fully master
your sport, you need to develop independent skills and learn
to trust your own judgment. Here are some tips for doing this.
Study
There is a wealth of information out there,
books,
videos and the
great resources of the Internet. To become a better boater, become
a “student of boating.” Find resources that deal with
boat control techniques, safety considerations and rescue/recovery
expertise. Study guidebooks of specific waters that you plan to
boat.
A couple of good websites for whitewater boaters are
www.boatertalk.com and
www.mountainbuzz.com. Both have forums for different types
of boaters, including ones for people looking for boating companions.
A site more applicable to flatwater kayaking and canoeing is
www.paddling.net, with articles on a wide range of topics and
several types of forums.
Ask
A good source of information on specific waters you want to boat
are retailers in your area. Check our
Dealer
Locator for stores
near you. Outfitters who run trips on these waters can be a
good resource. Remember, they make their money taking paying
customers, so don’t abuse their kindness. However, within
reason, most outfitters will help you out; they’re boaters
too. Check for boating clubs in your area.
Practice
Take time to practice the skills you learn from your study.
For kayakers, time spent in a pool in the winter can sharpen
roll
and paddle handling skills. Kathy & Bill Schneider recently
wrote us a good suggestion - on the water, in a pool or lake,
take a soccer-size beach ball and bat it back and forth between
two or more paddlers. They say it really helps you practice
balance, bracing, paddle strokes, etc, plus it’s good
exercise and fun!
Really learn to “read” water. Take time to study
rapids, analyzing the flow patterns and eddy lines. Look from
both up and down stream and study from close to river level.
Mastering this important skill of the river runner’s art
will boost your confidence in your own abilities and make you
less dependant on following the lines of others.
For touring boaters,
practicing paddle float and other types of recovery techniques
is essential, even if you have a roll.
This can be done in a pool, but it’s more realistic to
practice in conditions similar to what you’ll be boating
in. Roger Schumann, co-author of
Sea
Kayak Rescue, covers this
and other tips in
Sea
Kayak Safety Begins at Home.
Learning and
practicing the skills that give you the confidence to trust your
own judgment will make you a better and a safer
boater. You’ll be more relaxed and you’ll have more
fun!
