Learning to canoe or kayak

Today you can get your first canoe and kayak lessons online. Manufacturers like Ocean Kayak™ offer basic instructions on how to enter the watercraft, how to sit and how to place your hand on the paddle.

When you're ready to go out on the water, however, nothing beats a live instructor. Look for qualified instructors who can teach you proper paddling techniques, water safety and basic first aid. Check for canoe or kayak lessons offered by your YMCA, park district, community colleges and nature centers, or by local canoe liveries or sports clubs.

Practice your strokes, turns and speed-but also practice getting out of and back into a capsized kayak or an overturned canoe. Self-rescue is a vital skill. Learn to use a paddle as a float, to brace a paddle over two kayaks or to overturn a capsized canoe.

Kayak insurance

Just as you'd make sure your insurance is up to date before you take a car trip, you should make sure your insurance is up to date before a kayak trip.

Contact your insurance agent to see what your current insurance covers and what options you should consider for you and your kayak. Insuring your kayak is a smart way to protect your investment.

Finding a good map

When you're planning a canoe or kayak trip, check the Internet for a map of the water you'll be paddling. You'll find either a downloadable map or contact information for a mapping company that sells them. Local water sports clubs and associations can also recommend map sources.

A GPS coordinate map can be extremely useful. Use it with your GPS unit to find highlighted fishing spots or landmarks or to keep track of your touring progress. And don't forget tide charts and navigation maps if you're paddling offshore.

Choose waterproof maps, which are laminated or on special non-absorbent paper. You may also be able to get away with putting maps in a watertight container or a plastic bag with a tight seal. The goal is to have a map that can withstand some splashing and still be readable.

What's a sit-on-top kayak?

Beginning kayakers especially enjoy the convenience of getting onto and off of a kayak as opposed to getting in and out of one. New paddlers also appreciate being outside the kayak when it capsizes; there's no fear of being trapped inside. Paddlers with limited mobility, older paddlers and those who combine kayaking with hunting and fishing often consider sit-on-top kayaks ideal.

Ocean Kayak™'s Scrambler and Scrambler XL are popular sit-on-top kayaks that combine convenience with maneuverability, speed and stability. Molded storage with cords is offered at both the bow and stern, and several foot wells are molded right into the hull so you can easily change positions.

Sit-on-top kayaks make it easy to explore the sport of kayaking without a major investment of time and money. You can find models for fishing, surfing, touring-just about every recreational kayak use.

What should my kayak be made of?

Kayaks come in many types. You want a material that's stiff enough to move easily through the water, flexible enough to resist cracking, and tough enough to stand up to wear and tear.

Our most expensive kayaks are made of carbon, the result is a lighter yet stronger kayak that can endure more impact. Classic fiberglass kayaks are extremely lightweight and can be shaped to a fine edge, but they're more susceptible to damage.

Polyethylene kayaks are virtually indestructible under normal use, efficient in the water, lightweight-and affordable. Old Town®, a pioneer in innovative materials use, offers single- and multi-layer polyethylene kayaks, with choices to fit every budget and use.

What are the river classifications?

The American Whitewater Affiliation classifies rivers based on navigability. Before you paddle, know your river and your skill level. Be sure you have an “escape” route-an alternate way to get off the water in case of weather change or other situation.

Class I rivers are the easiest to paddle and well-suited for the beginner. Quiet streams and meandering rivers fit this category.

Class II waters are generally safe for novice paddlers with some experience. They are more challenging than Class I rivers, with faster currents, more riffles and trickier eddies.

Class III rivers are for intermediate to advanced paddlers. Their waves can swamp canoes, and tight passages and powerful currents can carry paddlers into the rocks.

Class IV rivers are for advanced paddlers only. Even experience paddlers should scout the river before attempting the rapids, dangerous currents and hazardous conditions.

Planning the perfect family canoe trip

Choose a body of water and a trip length that matches your skills. Start with canoe trips of just a couple hours, on calm water. Research local wildlife and landmarks so you'll know what to look for.

Create a float plan detailing where you'll put your canoe in the water, how far and how long you'll travel, where you'll take your canoe out, and how you'll get back to your vehicle. Search the Internet for downloadable float plan forms. Give a copy of your plan to a friend, and leave one on the seat of your vehicle.

You can also download sample checklists of the gear you'll need, including first aid kit, dry clothing and food. Extras like binoculars and cameras add to the fun. Remember, planning a canoe trip means working with limited space. Whatever you need has to fit in your canoe-and you have to be able to carry it.

Use specialized dry bags, which come in sizes for everything from your keys and ID to a complete change of clothing. These flexible waterproof bags mold easily into their niche in your canoe. Add a plastic covering to protect gear against stray drops as you paddle.

Choose food based on its nutritional value, how well it keeps, how easy it is to prepare and how much it weights. Meals on a short trip can be as simple as peanut butter sandwiches or as complicated as a fish fry. Remember to factor pots, pans and dishes into your space and weight calculations.

Tips for a fun family canoe trip

There's something about paddling together in one canoe or traveling as a group that creates a true family bond. Plan a half-day excursion or a full day adventure, and make memories for a lifetime.

Look for a canoe livery-a service that provides everything you need, including canoes, paddles and life jackets. A canoe livery can launch you upstream on a slow river and pick you up a few hours later at a point downstream. Some are even affiliated with resorts where you can relax overnight after a fun day on the water.

Do an Internet search of canoe trips on the river of your choice. Compare livery services and rates, and check to see whether reservations are required.

Though some family-oriented canoe trips meander down rivers where you see only wildlife and woods, many are close to civilization and may even lead you past backyards, parking lots and businesses. It's a great way to get a new perspective on your surroundings-and to develop skills for more extensive family trips.

Do I need a car top carrier for my kayak or canoe?

Car top carriers make it easy to get your kayak or canoe to and from the water. You have two choices: metal roof racks and foam blocks.

A roof rack uses metal bars to hold your watercraft firmly in place. It's a heavy-duty, permanent solution that can also give you extra space for your gear. And rack systems can make it easy to load your canoe or kayak onto your car.

How to paddle

To start, sit in your kayak. Your backside should be all the way back in your seat and your knees comfortably bent. To find the proper foot well, straighten your legs all the way out and then bring them back one "well". If your legs are too straight, you may find you put strain on your lower back. If your knees are bent too far, you may end up knocking your knee caps when you paddle.

To find your hand placement on your paddle, start with your hands about shoulder width apart and centered. If you place the center of the paddle on the top of your head, your elbows should form slightly less than a 90 degree angle. There should be an equal amount of paddle shaft and blade beyond both of your hands.

Some paddles may have the blades offset, or feathered. A feathered paddle presents less surface area for the wind to catch. However, a special technique must be used to get both blades in the water. If the paddle is a right hand control, (when the right blade is held vertical, the left blade "scoop" is up) the right hand will stay tight and your left hand loose. To learn the process, hold the paddle tight in your right hand and loose in your left. Using the right hand, rotate the paddle blade back and forth; it should slide through your left hand. Now take a stroke on your right, cock your right wrist back (left hand staying loose and somewhat open) and take a stroke on your left, and so forth. If using a left hand control paddle, reverse the process: the left hand stays tight and the right loose.

The basic paddle stroke is a forward power stroke. Place the paddle blade in the water near your toes. Pull the paddle blade back alongside the boat to approximately your hip. Lift the paddle blade and take a stroke on the other side.

If the paddle blade drifts out to the side in an arc, it will force the bow of the boat to swing away from the paddle blade. This is called a sweep stroke and is used to turn the boat.

By beginning in calm water, you can quickly get the feel of the boat and paddle techniques, and practice getting in and out of the boat by yourself. A long paddle will allow for a longer stroke, while a shorter paddle will give a shorter, faster stroke. Relax your hands when paddling - you don't need to hold a death grip! Sit with good posture, keep your torso vertical and choose a footrest position that will allow your knees to be slightly bent. For greater efficiency, use not only your arms, but your torso and shoulders as well. Start out easy until you get the feel of the paddle and the steering strokes. Most experienced paddlers use an offset (feathered) paddle, but beginners may prefer to keep the blades square.