|
THE PUT-IN
Once you arrive at the put-in, take care while unloading. Remember to lift with your legs so as not to strain your back. Since you should always paddle with a buddy, you can help each other with unloading and carrying.
While you're at the put-in, remember to also show respect for others around you. Other sportsmen and neighboring property owners are likely seeking the solitude and purity of undisturbed nature. Don't hinder their experience by littering, playing loud music, changing clothes in public, or other potentially offensive actions. Plus always get permission in advance if you want to cross private property in order to access a particular waterway.
"Enough Talk," you say. "Let's get on the water." OK, but keep in mind that 90% of canoe and kayak capsizes occur while getting on board. When launching from a steep bank or dock, place your boat in the water along side and parallel to the shoreline, and hold on. Squat down next to your boat and carefully shift your weight over the centerline while holding the top sides of your boat. For kayaks, it's best to sit on the stern deck and then slide into the cockpit with legs straight. For canoes, you want to step on the centerline and quickly kneel down. Canoeists and kayakers alike can add stability by holding their paddle perpendicular across the top of the boat and leaning on the blade resting on the shore or dock. Tandem paddlers should board one at a time and stabilize the boat for each other. When launching on the shore or shallow shoreline, you can wade into ankle deep water and continue the process as above.
|
