Water Safety – Always wear a life jacket. Pay attention to weather conditions: air temperature, wind conditions, water temperatures
Don’t kayak alone
Life Jackets: Understand WHY you need to wear a life jacket, How to wear a life jacket that fits you best, which life jackets to AVOID wearing and why
White Water Kayaking vrs Flat Water Kayaking
Flat Water Kayaking – "Sit on Top" kayaks vrs "Sit IN" kayaks – we own both kinds
Different types of kayaks – (short, long, 2 person, 1 person, wide, narrow)
What is required when you kayak w/ me – come to my house, help load, plan on 30 min. to load
What is needed if you kayak on your own – whether you rent or buy a kayak – Yakama or Thule Cross Bar, Kayak T-Poles, straps
Where to buy or rent a kayak – Any Outdoor Recreation Retail Store, also check online at KSL, Craigslist, etc. Know what to look for to avoid a costly mistake.
Water safety – study the weather and water conditions before getting in the water, check the weather report before you go, weather can change rapidly, don’t paddle out to the middle of a lake/reservoir if there is questionable weather, stay near the shoreline, know when to get out of the water
My favorite CLOSE bodies of water, within 15 – 30 min. of my home: Jordan River, Great Salt Lake, Little Dell Reservoir
More favorite places to kayak in Utah: Mirror Lake, Fish Lake, Lake Powell, Jordanele Reservoir, Deer Creek Reservoir, Pineview Reservoir, Utah Lake, Bear Lake, Green River, etc.
When we start kayaking this spring – As soon as the air temp is 65 or above
What to wear – life jacket, wet shoes when it gets cold, keen sandals for carrying the boat down to the water, layered clothing, swim suit, shorts, hat,
What to take w/ you in your kayak – rope, clear waterproof bag for food, water bottle, snacks, jacket, clothes, towel, sunscreen, hat
What about car keys/cell phones when kayaking – I keep them in my life jacket zipper. IF you are new to kayaking, I strongly advise NOT taking car keys, wallet or cell phone OUT on the water if possible. Find a safe place away from the water to keep these items. I take a cell phone with me on the water for emergencies
Exercises you can do at home in preparation for kayaking: Pushups, situps, etc.
Posture when you are in the kayak – sitting up straight
Sitting on a pad vrs a seat with a back rest: Not using a back rest will work your stomach muscles more but you can get a back ache and it's very uncomfortable for long kayaking outings
Training on and off of the water – Kayaking works: Arms, Shoulders, Stomach, and Back.
Why I love kayaking: It's a great cross-training sport and compliments my hiking. I especially love kayaking after hiking since I find it relaxing and uses completely different muscles.
Securing your waterproof bag to the kayak – using the bungies
Where to hold on if you are being pulled - If you are in the water and someone is towing you to shore, learn where you can and can not hold on.
DANGERS: Wind drifting – If you don’t pay attention, you can drift quite a ways while taking a rest, eating or just relaxing. Always be observant. Keep an eye to the sky and pay attention to drifting.
6.04.2009
Basic, simple drills to learn to do in a kayak...
DRILL: Get in, paddle straight a head for about 50 ft., lay down in the kayak, sit back up, turn around, come back, stop, get out
DRILL: Get in, paddle straight a head for about 50 ft., dangle your feet in the water on each side IF you are in a sit on top kayak, put them back in, turn around and come back
DRILL: Paddle out about 50 ft., line up and hang on top the handles of other kayaks. Benefits of doing this: Learn how to create more stability, good time to eat and pass the food to each other.
DRILL: Getting something out of the BACK of your kayak.
DRILL: Have something floating in the water – like a flip flop, go fetch it w/ your kayak without tipping over
DRILL: Get in, paddle straight a head for about 50 ft., dangle your feet in the water on each side IF you are in a sit on top kayak, put them back in, turn around and come back
DRILL: Paddle out about 50 ft., line up and hang on top the handles of other kayaks. Benefits of doing this: Learn how to create more stability, good time to eat and pass the food to each other.
DRILL: Getting something out of the BACK of your kayak.
DRILL: Have something floating in the water – like a flip flop, go fetch it w/ your kayak without tipping over
Loading and Carrying a Kayak...
DRILL: With another person, lift a kayak over your head 10 times. Kayaks will help you increase your upper body strength.
DRILL: Practice carrying a kayak with one other person. All of my kayaks vary in length from 8 - 16 ft. Are you strong enough to lift and carry a kayak by yourself?
DRILL: Carry a kayak to the water – where to hold on and where NOT to hold on
DRILL: Carry TWO kayaks to the water – 2 people in front, 2 people in back
Know which kayaks you can do that with and which ones you can’t.
DRILL: Practice carrying a kayak with one other person. All of my kayaks vary in length from 8 - 16 ft. Are you strong enough to lift and carry a kayak by yourself?
DRILL: Carry a kayak to the water – where to hold on and where NOT to hold on
DRILL: Carry TWO kayaks to the water – 2 people in front, 2 people in back
Know which kayaks you can do that with and which ones you can’t.
What to bring with you
Life Jacket if you have your own, otherwise it's provided
A set of Dry Clothes
Towel
Shoes or flip flops to get wet
Hat
Clothes to kayak that can get wet
Swim Suit is not necessary but optional
Sunglasses
Lip Balm
Water Bottle
Snacks
Wind Breaker/Jacket
Bag for wet Clothes
Money for Kayaking
A set of Dry Clothes
Towel
Shoes or flip flops to get wet
Hat
Clothes to kayak that can get wet
Swim Suit is not necessary but optional
Sunglasses
Lip Balm
Water Bottle
Snacks
Wind Breaker/Jacket
Bag for wet Clothes
Money for Kayaking
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