Paddlers and vessel exclusion zones
While exploring a mangrove estuary, a group of kayakers came upon a waterway marked with a buoy at the entrance. The white buoy had an …
Paddlecraft rescue and towing
In The Ensign Spring 2022, I discussed capsize recovery and stressed how important it is for a paddler to hold onto the boat during a …
Paddlecraft vessel safety checks
As an experienced paddler and vessel examiner, I know that many paddlers don’t see themselves as boaters and rarely take boating safety courses. Paddle sports …
Cold water paddling
Water temperatures start to drop as we head into fall and winter. While paddling in cooler climes can be a lot of fun, paddlers need …
Kayaking a Canadian Paradise
My friend Nicki and I unloaded our kayaks off my Forester and set them on the beach in the rain. We had planned to explore …
Life jackets for paddlers
A life jacket, or personal flotation device, is the most important personal safety device for boaters, and all mariners should wear one while on the …
Capsize Recovery
Paddlers new to the sport or those occasionally renting a boat are focused on all the fun they will have exploring rivers, lakes, or the …
Paddling with marine VHF
“Paddlers do not think of themselves as boaters.” – A Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats by the U.S. Coast Guard Because …
Explore Florida’s rivers by kayak
By Joe Belanger Fifteen years ago, my wife, Lee, and I began an RV retirement trip with a twist. Our goal was to see the …