This post takes a look at some of the basics you need to know of as a boater looking forward to a safe river trip. Kayaking, just as it is with any recreational activity or sport, has with it that inherent risk of injury or even loss of life. To avoid these risks, you should make sure that you are ever using basic common sense while on the waters and follow some of the basic safety rules always. The following are some of the basic safety rules that you need to have at your fingertips when it comes to safety codes for your kayaking experience.
Check out the weather conditions. Know the weather conditions and the water temperature. You should be prepared for changes in the weather conditions and the likelihood of capsize. If you are going out to kayak on cold waters, then you should have with you the wet suits or the dry ones for these will effectively keep you warm and as cozy as you can be while on the water. If you are going to kayak on a warm weather condition, then you should consider a long sleeve shirt to provide you with the much needed sun protection. In the same breath, we see the fact that it is a need for you to ensure that you have you the right and appropriate clothing for your kayaking experience. The sit-in kayaks tend to be more beneficial even looking at the fact that with them you will be able to protect yourself from some of the elements as opposed to what you have in the sit-on-top kayaks which tend to leave you so exposed. Make sure that you have dressed suitably for the event of the day.
One more safety tip for your kayaking experience is to know of the presence of off-shore wind that tends to make it difficult for you to get back to the shores this as well makes it very important that you know of the boating rules applicable on your very area so as to follow these to the latter to ensure safety always. Follow these set guild lines for you to make sure that you are as safe always on the waters. Apply yourself to the boating rules applicable in the area you may be looking at for you to remain as safe always on the waters while on a kayaking tour.
As it is with all boating experiences, you shouldn’t ever take or mix boating with the intake of drugs, prescription and even the non-prescription drugs and alcohol while on the waters. Check the weight capacity of the boat you are looking at and ensure that your boat isn’t carrying any excess weight. This as well goes a long way in helping you avoid most of the mishaps there are that you might suffer while on the waters such as capsizing and the like. You shouldn’t run the risk of capsize all because you didn’t check on the weight capacity of the boat.