| Is paddling a
river the same as paddling in the sea or on a lake? You want
to be in one piece at the end of the day, right? You want
to have fun, right? Do you really want to master the mystery
of staying upright? Then read on, friends,- here are a few
hot tips to help you start your kayaking career safely.
Hot tip #1
Do a Course Excellent courses run by professionals
-paddling strokes, river running, river rescue, rolling,
canoeing, kayaking, sea kayaking - can be found throughout
the country. By doing a course, you'll become immersed
in the culture of kayaking, you'll learn the
skills and etiquette of river running and, most important,
how to look and speak like a paddlehead.
Hot tip #2
Join a Club Most kayak or canoe clubs offer quality
instruction, loads of river trips, access to good equipment
at reasonable prices, and good instructor-to-student
ratios. Look for a club with a teaching style you are
comfortable with.
Check out the list of clubs in Graham Charles's book
"New Zealand Whitewater: 100 Great Kayaking Runs"
(Craig Potton Publishing)
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Hot tip #3
Start Slow Once you've got a few skills, practice on easy
water. Practice practice practice. When you're doing what
you want to, when you want to, when you're comfortable in
your boat, then think about doing a different river or a harder
grade. With experience comes judgement; with judgement comes
safety.
Hot tip #4 - Good Paddling is Safe
Paddling
There are a million safety things to think about and
only so much room between the ears.
Things like:
Wear warm clothes
Wool is rad; cotton is bad.
It's easy to cool off (turn upside down) but hard to
stay warm once the chill sets in.
A windbreaker or paddle jacket works wonders.
Take safety gear:
a dry bag with a spare jersey, some food, perhaps a
warm drink.
A waterproof first-aid kit.
A split paddle or hand paddles.
Some means of starting a fire.
Sandals or shoes in case you have to walk.
Boat repair kit. Air bags anyone? |
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Learn those self-rescue techniques:
The Eskimo roll in all its wonderful variations; the X, H
and T rescues; the tow and the deck carry; the throw bag.
Check the environment before you get in the water.
River level?
Jet boaters?
Dam release?
Any strainers or weirs?
Weather today?
Any fisherfolk to avoid?
Multi-day trips need planning.
Someone needs to take charge and obtain permission (if required),
a shuttle, maps, intentions, a tent or fly, as well as the
gear mentioned above.
Match your experience level with the river difficulty.
The essence of safe paddling is this: -join a club -get properly
equipped -don't paddle on your own
Hot tip #5
Strange Things Happen at Sea And on lakes.
Things to think about include: currents, tides, wind
direction and strength, other boaters (especially the
petrol driven variety) and weeds.
Tide charts, a weather forecast, and knowing where the
nearest sheltered spot is will ensure a degree of safety.
Hot tip #6
There are only two kinds of kayaker: those who swim
and those who are about to.
Everybody swims, especially when they're learning. The
trick is to do it right: on your back facing downstream,
feet first and up to help fend off rocks, arms back-paddling
for control. Keep an eye out for a throw rope or a rescue
boat coming your way. When the water becomes calm, swim
to shore.
Hot tip #7
Respect the Earth Tread lightly. When camping, travelling
or merely stopping for lunch, show some respect for
where you are:
practise having a minimal impact on the environment.
On multi-day trips the old dictums still hold true:
if you can pack it in, then you can pack it out; take
nothing but photos, and leave nothing but footprints.
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See these sites for more information:
New Zealand Outdoor Instructors
Association
New Zealand Recreational
Canoeing Association
Water Safety New
Zealand
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