Any advice for a newb with a kayak?

[CMJeepster]

Originally Posted by bubbasdad

[LIST=1][*]PFD- ALWAYS on, not worth the risks for some unrestricted movement

This without question!!! Having been a professional high adventure guide with hundreds of yak miles under my PFD, the first thing that always got packed, worn and checked at the start of every day was each persons' PFD. Remember that it needs to be snug so that if you enter the water it won't slip up over your head and float away. (I always wear mine to ensure that someone finds my body should something happen to give my wife piece of mind. Grim, but true.) I don't care how hot it gets, WEAR IT!!!

As for other suggestions:

- Don't put yourself in any compromising situations. Know your abilities and strength / stamina.

- Always tell someone where you're going and approximately how long you plan to be gone, even if you go with a friend. (See recovery of body above.)

- Use a paddle leash to keep the paddle tied to the yak. Having one will improve the odds of recovering should you spill. Swimming a yak to a spot to be able to recover isn't easy or fun.

- If you're on a moving body of water and you spill, keep the yak downstream of you to avoid getting pinched between it and any objects.

- Be prepared to cope with the weather. Wear appropriate clothing, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. Have drinking water with you and maybe a small snack in case you need an energy boost or get stuck somewhere and need to hunker down for a while.