April — Paddling: Kayak, Canoe & SUP
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Theme of the Month — April
Paddling: Kayak, Canoe & SUP
Cold water, warm air, and the biggest gap between how it feels and how it is.
REC Safe Paddling
Our R.E.C. Tenets, applied on the water:
- R — Ready
PFD worn, not just stowed - E — Educated
practice self-rescue before you need it - C — Cautious
cold water shock, wind, current
What to Bring
- PFD (life jacket)
- Whistle
- Bilge pump or sponge
- Paddle float
- Spare paddle
- Dry bag
- Wetsuit or drysuit for cold water
- Helmet, for whitewater
- Signaling device or light
- First aid kit
Related Terrain
- Freshwater — rivers, strainers, and low-head dams
- Saltwater — tides, currents, and offshore wind
Related Activities
- Boating (May)
- Fishing (March)
- Kayak Safety Kit
Test Your Knowledge
What does the "1-10-1 rule" describe?
Cold water shock timing — roughly 1 minute to control your breathing, 10 minutes of meaningful muscle movement, and 1 hour before losing consciousness.
What should you practice in controlled water before you need it in a real emergency?
A wet exit and re-entry.
What kind of wind is especially dangerous for inflatables and paddleboards?
Offshore wind — it can blow you out to sea faster than you can paddle back.
What decal should you put on your kayak's hull in case it drifts away without you?
A Scan If Found (SIF) decal.
What's April's suggested alternate activity?
Wildflower hiking.
Alternate Activity
Not into paddling? Try Wildflower Hiking instead — peak bloom in most of the US, and a dry-land option for anyone uneasy on the water.