An explosion in the number of kayakers along the nation’s waterways, on lakes and at sea is making harrowing stories such as Andrusic’s all-too common. At the same time, it’s putting a strain on Coast Guard and other marine search-and-rescue crews and prompting calls for new laws requiring kayakers to take boating safety courses.

Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-04-29-kayak_N.htm

As a kayak instructor, I do beleive that everyone should take a basic kayak safety class but I do not think it should be manditory. We offer a free half-day basic safety class with the purchase of a new kayak and while many customers do take us up on the offer, many do not. Not to say that some shouldn’t take the the class, but I am sure there are a variety of reasons why they don’t. Anything from being to stubborn or “macho” to participate in an entry-level class to wanting to learn on their own. Maybe they want to learn with the assistance of instructional books or videos, or have their friends teach them. There is certainly something to be said about paddlers who are planning to get out into open water (sea kayaking), or whitewater (ww) without the proper skill set and knowledge. Their lack of good judgment will be their demise. Which is ashame since it can be avoided altogether by taking a class, gaining experience on guided trips (with qualified guides), and simply knowing your limits. For these opposite ends of the kayaking spectrum (sea kayaking and ww kayaking) there should be more emphasis on paddlesport education and safety awareness. Although the majority of kayakers are not venturing into the ocean or onto whitewater rivers, this is what the perception of the sport is to the masses who don’t paddle. These are the exciting aspects of the sport that all the paddling videos glorify. The part of the sport that will lead to manditory classes when the few new paddlers that attempt it without the needed skills or judgment to paddle in these locales (ocean/ whitewater) continue to experience catastophic consequences. Nothing beats having a trained instructor give you the finer points of kayak safety in a sport where breathing water may mean that you won’t make it to the take-out. However making a class manditory will only cause some folks to rebel and go paddling anyway without taking the class. While others may simply not participate at all and miss out on a great activity that can be easily enjoyed by folks of all ages. There certainly needs to be a stronger surge towards the awareness of needing a class. Hats off to the Coast Guard, and the American Canoe Association (ACA) for the progress they have made it this regard, but more continued emphasis should placed on being safe on the water, knowing ones limits and taking the proper precausions when going paddling; if not, then some states may pass laws requiring paddle safety classes. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but on the other hand it will give me some job security.

GetOutdoors is a dog friendly paddlesports shop in Greensboro, NC. If your dog is friendly, housebroken, and gets along with other friendly dogs feel free to stop by and visit Aticus and Madigan while you shop. They love to meet and play with new friends.

Welcome to the GetOutdoors paddlesports blog, this is where we will post trip reports, kayak fishing reports, reviews of new products, tips on kayak/ canoe repairs and accessory installation, and of course photos.
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Thanks,
Will Seeley

Manager,
GetOutdoors LLC