A few kayaking and canoeing guidelines before paddling into summer
Warmer weather means more kayaking and canoeing — a few simple safety and gear precautions can help ensure a trouble-free experience.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
For kayaker Renee Lavin there is no off-season.
Even in the dead of winter, if there is good water she'll be out there.
But while hard-core paddlers never pack up their gear, there's a distinct season for the average canoeist or kayaker.
And that season starts right about now, when warm weather beckons water lovers to dust off their gear, to load their boats onto car racks, and to hit the region's rivers and creeks.
"This weekend will be really busy," Lavin predicted Wednesday, as Roanoke baked in temperatures topping 80 degrees.
As the paddling fleet grows with the approach of summer, so does the number of people who get themselves into sticky situations on the water.
Lavin is a swift water rescue instructor with the American Canoe Association, a paddling trip guide and works at Backcountry Ski and Sports in Salem. So she has lots of experience with the good and the not-so-good of canoeing and kayaking safety.
By following a few simple safety and gear precautions, paddlers can help ensure their trips are not only fun, but also trouble-free.
Gear
The most important piece of gear for a paddler is probably the boat, but a personal flotation device runs a close second.
"The biggest issue I see is people not wearing a PFD," Lavin said. "Or wearing one, but one that's not fitted correctly."
Life jackets for serious paddlers are like helmets for serious bikers: Rarely will you see one without that critical piece of safety equipment.
But among the casual set, the approach is, well, more casual, despite statistics that show potentially dire consequences of carelessness.
According to figures from the U.S. Coast Guard, among 533 drowning deaths in 2011, 415 of the victims - or, 84 percent - were not wearing a life jacket.
Good footwear is another oversight.
Back Country has started hosting monthly kayaking demos on the Roanoke River the first Saturday of each month.
"At the last one we had I couldn't believe the people who just kicked off their shoes and waded in to the water barefoot," store manager Pat Metheny said, shaking his head.
Not only do shoes protect feet from sharp rocks, but also from litter.
"There can be glass, metal, and other stuff on the bottom," Lavin said.
Paddling-specific boots aren't necessary, though they are nice for those who spend a lot of time on the water.
Sandals can work OK for boaters who don't spend a lot of time wading, but the open toe design can lead to painful stubs. An old pair of sneakers can work fine, though the soles won't provide the best grip.
As for clothing, cotton can be comfortable when dry but is a disaster when wet. Opt instead for shorts and a shirt of quick-drying synthetic, or even lightweight wool.
Lavin said paddlers should use the "120 rule" when deciding whether or not to wear protective dry gear or to pack along an extra set of clothes. The rule is that hypothermia risk is minimal when the water and air temperatures together top 120.
A hat and good sunglasses - on a tether to prevent loss in the event of a capsize - will add to a paddler's comfort during a long, sunny day on the river. Sunscreen is also a must.
Where and when to go
During the summer, the New and James rivers are by far the most popular paddling destinations for the region's recreational canoeists and kayakers, be they primarily paddlers, or anglers whose craft happen to be paddle-powered.
Recent rains have helped ensure that even small- to mid-sized streams are paddler-friendly right now.
The Roanoke River is a good example.
On Thursday afternoon the river was flowing at about 600 cubic feet per second, more than double the typical flow for this time of year.
Good flows mean canoeists and kayakers can spend time in their boats, not on their feet dragging craft through shallow riffles.
"It will dry up in the summer," said Lavin, who noted that 150 cfs is about the minimum for paddling. "We won't rent below that number.
"It is just too hard on the boats."
While dragging a canoe or kayak can be frustrating, getting on a river that's too high can be dangerous.
The maximum flow for safe paddling on the Roanoke is about 2,000 cfs, according to a river flow listing and suggested paddling levels guide on the American Whitewater Association's web site. And that's for experienced paddlers.
Beginners shouldn't get on the water above about 800 cfs, Lavin said.
To put that in perspective, after hitting nearly 5,000 cfs on May 7, the river didn't drop to below 1,000 cfs until Monday.
Another element of choosing a paddling destination is to make sure public access is allowed. Some of the region's most appealing whitewater streams, for example Johns Creek in Craig County, have been deemed non-navigable and paddlers could face trespassing charges.
Paddling access is not a problem on the region's larger rivers, but boaters still need to abide by streamside no trespassing signs on private property.
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