Round-Up of Our Best Paddling Safety Topics
8-minute read
Kayaking, pack rafting and paddle boarding are generally very safe water sports. But they do carry risks. Here at Aqua Bound, we prioritize paddling safety for everyone at all skill levels.
(Photo courtesy of Uteguiden)
Here’s a round-up of our blog posts about paddling safety. ( We suggest you bookmark this page so you can read through these at your leisure!)
We want you to have a lifetime of enjoyable and SAFE paddling experiences!
General Safety Content
These blog posts cover general safety topics, a great place to start:
Kayak & SUP Paddling Safety: Risk Factors
In this blog, we discuss five different risk factors you can face when you’re on the water. We cover what those risk factors are and how you can reduce those risks to ensure fun, safe paddling adventures.
The first risk is one every paddler will encounter: Just being on water! Drownings are rare in paddlesports, but we aim to make it as rare as possible by paddlers knowing how to reduce the risk.
Read: Kayak & SUP Paddling Safety: Risk Factors
Packrafting Safety
Of course, paddling safety crosses over to all the disciplines and types of boats. But some types of paddling carry different risks than others. Because packrafting was developed with extended backcountry trips in mind, there are things these paddlers need to be aware of that the typical cabin-goer doesn’t.
In this blog, we offer some basic safety areas packrafters need to be aware of and point you to a wonderful resource.
Read: Packrafting Safety
(Photo courtesy of Emily Hendricks)
Our Top Paddling Safety Tips
What we love about this blog is the input from a couple of our Ambassadors. These men offer their best tips when it comes to safety on the water, whether you’re alone or with a group.
They cover the kinds of things to think about ahead of time, how to plan for a safe trip and when you may need to change your plans.
Read: Our Top Paddling Safety Tips
Take ACA’s Online Paddlesports Safety Course at Your Own Pace
One of our favorite resources to learn paddling safety is through the ACA (American Canoe Association). You can do this through in-person classes—ACA-certified instructors, outfitters and gear shops offer these.
Or you can take the ACA’s online course for a small fee. You won’t get the hands-on experience, but it’s a great way to be sure you cover all the head knowledge.
Read: Take ACA’s Online Paddlesports Safety Course at Your Own Pace
How to Self-Rescue If You Capsize Your Kayak
If you’re a way out from shore and capsize your kayak, knowing how to self-rescue becomes a key skill. This is especially true in cold weather and/or water.
This blog and accompanying video go over a few different methods for re-entry from the water when you’re kayaking alone. It’s a great idea to practice these on a calm, warm day until you feel comfortable in case you ever need it.
Read: How to Self-Rescue If You Capsize Your Kayak
(Photo courtesy of Lou Lamotte)
How to Re-Enter a Sit-on-Top Kayak
It’s much easier to get back on a sit-on kayak or paddleboard than a sit-in kayak if you take an unintentional swim. There’s still some technique involved, though, so take a look at this blog and short video for our tips.
Knowing how to get back on or in your boat means you’ll have more confidence when you paddle—and you’ll be ready to face many emergency situations.
Read: How to Re-Enter a Sit-on-Top Kayak
Gear to Help Keep You Safe
In many situations, safety comes down to your gear:
How to Choose the Best Life Jacket for You
This blog, featuring Ambassador Ken Whiting’s video, is a pretty thorough look at the types of life jackets available (also known as PFDs, or Personal Flotation Devices) and which will work best in your paddling situations.
It covers the two most important considerations and also touches on life jackets for kids.
Read: How to Choose the Best Life Jacket for You
What to Wear Kayaking: Dress for Immersion
To “dress for immersion” means to expect to go for a swim, even if you don’t plan to. No one plans to have an emergency on the water, but it happens sometimes. There are better clothing options than others when it comes to staying more dry and then drying out quickly if you get wet.
This is especially key for backcountry paddling, when you’re alone or in cold weather.
Read: What to Wear Kayaking: Dress for Immersion
The Benefit of High-Visibility Kayak Blades
When you’re on a kayak or paddleboard in a popular boating area, you’re one of the smallest boats on the water. An important safety requirement in busy waterways is that other boaters can see you easily.
In this blog, we discuss how high-viz paddle blades help make that happen, and which high-viz Aqua Bound paddles are available at every price point.
Read: The Benefit of High-Visibility Kayak Blades
Kayak Safely on Busy Waterways
While we’re on the subject of busy waterways, here’s another blog that focuses on this important safety topic. Ambassador Ken Whiting likens it to “swimming in shark-infested waters”!
This blog and video explore boating rules and etiquette, how to be seen easily by others, how to deal with boat wake, and more.
Read: Kayak Safely on Busy Waterways
Safety First: Wear a Life Jacket When You SUP
SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) began as a non-life jacket water sport because it was birthed from the surfing tradition. Early SUPers treated their board as their flotation device as surfers do.
But these days, SUPs are considered a boat by the US Coast Guard and so you’re required to have a life jacket, or PFD (Personal Flotation Device) on board.
Read: Safety First: Wear a Life Jacket When You SUP
Kayaking with Kids: Life Jacket Safety
In most places, children are required to wear a PFD when they’re on a boat of any size. The older age limit varies, depending on the state or province, so you’ll need to know the law where you live or travel.
This blog includes a couple of videos from our friends at Paddle TV to explain the ins and outs of life jacket use for kids.
Read: Kayaking with Kids: Life Jacket Safety
Kayak and Paddleboard with Your Dog: Best Dog Life Jackets
Don’t forget your furry friends! If you love to take your dog(s) on the water with you, you need to think about their safety, too. First, we discuss why these are such a great idea, even if your pooch is a great swimmer. Then we list a bunch of brands to choose from.
Reading this will help make you feel more confident to have your four-legged partners along with you.
Read: Kayak and Paddleboard with Your Dog: Best Dog Life Jackets
The Weather
Because paddling is always done outside, the weather plays a huge role in safety. Here are some topics that relate to how weather affects our outings and trips:
When Is It Too Cold to Kayak?
The short answer is that the only time it’s really too cold is when the water is frozen, like what happens during our Wisconsin winters! But paddling in cold weather and on cold water requires an extra set of knowledge, preparation and gear.
The cold adds an additional layer to paddling safety that you need to know about and practice.
Read: When Is It Too Cold to Kayak?
(Photo courtesy of David Horkan)
Cold Weather Paddling Clothes: What to Wear on Top
Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting gives his suggestions for cold weather apparel for your top half in this video from Paddle TV. His suggestions will work no matter which boat you paddle.
Some of these items can be pricey, but will be a solid investment in your future paddling life if you spend a lot of time on the water.
Read: Cold Weather Paddling Clothes: What to Wear on Top
31 Tips for Cold Weather Paddling (Not Including “Move to Hawaii”!)
We borrowed these tips from paddling expert and instructor Rob Casey, featured in his book Stand Up Paddling. Many of these safety tips cross over well to other paddling experiences and weather situations, too.
They’re concise and practical, like “Tie your board down on your car first, then remove your wetsuit, PFD, etc.”
Read: 31 Tips for Cold Weather Paddling (Not Including “Move to Hawaii”!)
Best Tips for Winter Kayaking
One more on the list for kayaking, packrafting or paddleboarding during the cold months, this one also features a Ken Whiting video. It covers gear, apparel, when to adjust your route to stay dry, and the prerequisites for paddling alone.
The bottom line: When you paddle in winter, your level of risk is higher, so your focus on safety needs to be higher, too.
Read: Best Tips for Winter Kayaking
Whitewater Safety
Each water environment is different, with different safety considerations. Whitewater demands skill, experience and thoughtfulness to make the adrenaline rush a safe pursuit.
(Photo courtesy of Marina Rockstroh)
Packrafting Skills Session: Whitewater Safety
This blog was written and illustrated by avid paddler and pro outdoorswoman Rachel Davies. She covers five key skills any whitewater packrafter needs to learn and practice.
You’ll enjoy her colorful illustrations that accompany her content in this practical and easy-to-follow blog. And it’s not just for packrafters—it’ll be helpful for anyone looking to get into whitewater paddling.
Read: Packrafting Skills Session: Whitewater Safety
How Safe is Whitewater Kayaking?
Ambassador Ken Whiting goes into the many factors that influence whitewater kayaking risk and safety in this video from Paddle TV. He touches on the key to whitewater safety, how to minimize risk and choosing the right environment.
We also get into options for courses, classes and resources.
Read: How Safe is Whitewater Kayaking?
* * * * *
Beyond these blogs, a great way to decrease risk anytime you’re on the water is to increase your skill level. Learn, practice and perfect the basic strokes. Take courses in a variety of water environments. And then get out there and paddle whenever you can.
Happy paddling!
What paddling questions can our Wisconsin-based Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or sales@aquabound.com. Or choose our online chat option.
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