Hello everyone! I'm a new poster, and a kind of new kayaker. I have a question for everyone. I've kayaked a bunch of times, with family, and with the scouts. Mostly rental kayaks. recently I moved to a new town that is very close to the beach(Duxbury Massachussetts), and an enclosed bay. I'm in college now so I go away during the school year. I have a acadia perception 12.5, and right now I'm on spring break. My plan was to get some lessons during the summer so I know what I'm doing. I am an eagle scout, and a certified life guard, I've also been researching quite a bit on how to kayak in general. Do you think its wise to go out on the water now? Its just started to get warm out and I would love to take advantage of this. Does anyone have any tips? thanks!

Raven

Raven, If you look closely at all the posts and information on this website you might notice that this site is dedicated to whitewater kayaking ( You know, rivers with rapids and waterfalls) You won't likely find a lot of interest in flat water paddling here but I will offer some advise on winter paddling in general. Dress for the water. If you go for a swim it can be life threatening if you are not dressed properly. Don't go out alone, as a novice you should try to go out with someone with more experience. Even on a bay you have to deal with tides and currents that can take you by surprise. Have fun, There is no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than from a boat.

Rick

I am also new to the sport. I am trying to learn all I can also Warraven. I live in Northern Virginia and would appreciate any help anyone (including whitewater kayakers) is willing to give. Everyone had to start somewhere and well I was hoping this would be a decent place to start for information on anything a newbie would need to know. Thanks for any help anyone could give on starting on flat water. Boat recommendations? Paddle recommendations? Other gear recommendations?

OK , If there is a club near you then join it, it will make learning easier and less intimidatiing if there are people to demonstrate and rescue you when you capsize. If there is not then see if your local outdoors shop/kayak shop has any coaching available. If you cant access any help then try and persuade a friend to watch from the shore and stay within close range. Try and practice paddling in straight lines and get used to this. Then try figure of eights. Hope this helps guys

Maybe add to the post whether you want to progress to wwkayaking or touring. Enjoy and stay safe.

Don't buy anything untill you have had at least 4 lessons. At a good paddling school gear is provided also. You should not go out by yourself without adequate training or skill. Therefore, you wouldn't need whitewater gear. I Like in Rockville, MD and know of great places to take lessons. Then buy a used boat. Use it for a few months and then get a new boat if you are looking for a specific model.

check out your local paddle store and see if they offer lessons. I wouldnt recomend going out by yourself, eve if its rec paddling. i wouldnt know, but id bet a class or two on ww paddling would improve your rec skills and teach you to be more agressive.

Thanks for your advice and information. I know I cetainly appreciate it all. I have alot more research to do myself before I jump in head first as it were. I will certainly take the advice of not going out alone and getting lessons. Thanks again all. If anyone knows of a good paddling source for lessons or any other info it would be appreciated. I have looked on the internet but I trust word of mouth is so much more. If you arent allowed to post it here then please send in a private message. I live in Woodbridge VA. Thanks again.

[quote:598608ee99="partieson"]Thanks for your advice and information. I know I cetainly appreciate it all. I have alot more research to do myself before I jump in head first as it were. I will certainly take the advice of not going out alone and getting lessons. Thanks again all. If anyone knows of a good paddling source for lessons or any other info it would be appreciated. I have looked on the internet but I trust word of mouth is so much more. If you arent allowed to post it here then please send in a private message. I live in Woodbridge VA. Thanks again.[/quote:598608ee99]

the idea is that anyone who can send PMs can also post here - unless there is an error of course... what made you think that certain people might not be able to post in here?

i think you should definitely look in the playak links section (aka www.kayahoo.com ) and looks under Schools and Clubs to find relevent stuff in your area.

good luck,
jeroen

It wasnt that certain people couldnt post. It was the information I was asking for that I wasnt sure could be posted. Sorry for the confusion.

I have only found one school (that I havent called yet) that offers instruction so far in your links. Was just wondering if anyone new of others I havent seen or one that they had an esspecially good experience attending. I havent ruled out any local clubs either.

Thanks Jeroen your concern tells me alot about this forum. I certainly appreciate it and I hope anyone else I talk to has and can show the concern that you have. Everyones help has been very appreciated so far. Thank you very much.

Raven,

The water is still very cold until June. You really have to dress for the temperature of the water and not the air. Until the water is about 79 degrees, it will still take heat away from your body!!!

I've taught kayaking for 12 years and used to be a rep for a kayak company. If you'd like to email me privately, you are welcome to do so, and we could discuss the what would really work out best for you.

Additionally, looking up some clubs is a great idea. Ask around at your local kayak shop. find a specialty shop if you can because that is where the kayak junkies hang out (thus you'll get lots of free advice and make some new friends very quckly)

[mail address protected from spambots with javascript]

Hi, I'm also a new paddler in the Northern Virginia area. Last summer I took a white water class from an outfit called, "outdoor excursions" we put in, in great falls, MD and paddled around in the Potomic. The cost was $95 and included all the gear. The class was from 8 or 9am until 3pm, I learned a lot, it was a level 1 class with a focus on paddling, entering and leaving eddies, crossing rapids, and the fun part, flipping our boats and getting out, rolling is taught in the level 2 class. They also offer sea kayaking classes that leave out of Annapolis, MD, however at this time they don't have any sea classes schedualed, just white water. So check them out, and if I find out about any other organizations in our area I'll post them up.

Oh and since I'm new and this is my first post, Hello to all!!!

[color=cyan:9dd7c68577]Hi there. Welcome. [img:9dd7c68577]www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-031.gif[/img:9dd7c68577]Looks like you're off to a good start Emmie. Let us know how you progress. You should pop in to the chat room every now and then. There are many people that visit the chats that I'm sure will be more than happy to give you any advice or answer any questions you may have. Good luck.[/color:9dd7c68577] [img:9dd7c68577]www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-030.gif[/img:9dd7c68577]