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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 .
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Overview • Safety • Equipment • Clothing
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
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 = less than 130 You should dress with protective clothing + Water Temp: 60 * 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
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 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
Paddle’s Euro Paddles $75 - $500 Greenland Paddles $125 - $550
Euro PaddlesWhat type is right for you? Low Angle High 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
Clothing Basics Good Bad • Base Layers • Quick Drying • Moisture Wicking • Smartwool, PolyPro, Silk, Nylon/Spandex • Can Be Layered • Provides warmth when wet • Base/Outerwear • Slow Drying • Moisture Absorbing • Cotton, Denim, Street Clothes in General • Outerwear • Waterproof/Windproof • Protection From Cold Water • Gore-Tex, Neoprene • Definite No’s • Street Clothes • Sandals/Krocs • Shorts/Pants with Big Cargo Pockets/Cords
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
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 SeasonOctober 1 to May 31 The Drysuit Option
Cold Water SeasonOct –Nov April-May Farmer John/Paddle jacket