.
Paddling Resources
(Any reference to a specific dealer is not an endorsement, but only a
suggested source.)
Gear
A selection of links that help you decide what type of paddling gear you need.
- (new) REI has a informative page (with video) on "How to Choose a Kayak". The article includes sections on; Getting Started, Types of Kayaks, Kayak Design 101, Kayak Design 201, Key Kayaking Accessories, Kayak Safety, and Kayak FAQs. They also have a link for chosing kayaking gear. REI also has links on there page for the kayaks that they sell.
- Another good place to start
is the Atlantic
Kayak Tours center. It has good suggestions that will give you a
good introduction to sea kayaking before you visit one of the local
kayak dealerships.
- Spring time is a good
time to take advantage of "demo days" or "paddle
days" where many kayak manufacturers come to one location
(usually sponsered by local retail dealers) so potential buyers can
try out many kayaks. The largest in Rhode Island is sponsored by
Kayak Centre
of Rhode Island and is held usually in the first week May at the
Wickford Town Beach. Events like this may have up to 100 different
kayaks that you will be allowed to try out. They are all held in a
safe location, so beginners will be safe. Other demo days throughout
the year are usually listed on message boards of the local kayaking
associations. Local recreational stores like EMS
and REI
also offer demo days.
- Another way to start
kayaking is to take beginner lessons from one of the local kayak
dealerships. There are several in the Rhode Island and Southern New
England area. Contact any of the dealerships for information. All
your basic gear is supplied and each course usually will occupy a
full day, costing in the $100+ range. An advantage of this method of
learning about sea kayaking is that you will be able to try
different kayaks out.
- Purchase a good book or
two on sea kayaking. There are many on the market. Check your local
book store or go online. Several that offer good beginners advice
are: "Sea
Kayaking, A Manual for Long-Distance Touring" by John Dowd.
While touring is the main theme, there is much good basic
information that will help you learn about kayaks. Another Book is
"Complete
Sea Kayak Touring" by Jonathan Hanson. Again with a touring
theme but good on basics. The Narragansett Chapter of the AMC also
has a collection book and videos on kayaking that you can check out.
- There is a large variation in the feel and
handling of sea kayaks and the only way to find the one that you are
comfortable with is to try them out. Once you have the basics of
kayaking, ask others fellow paddlers if you can try their kayaks.
Most are more than willing to allow you to try out their kayaks.
This is probably the best way to find a kayak that you like because
owners are usually quite knowledgable about their own kayak and how
they handle in variable sea conditions. In practical terms, a trial
paddle at a local beach or launch site will never inform you how a
particular kayak will handle under all wind and sea conditions. Only
after many paddles in your own kayak, after learning how to handle
it well, will you get to know a kayak. If you find that you are not
happy with your kayak, you can sell it and buy another one. If you
buy a used kayak for a starter, the kayak will already have
depreciated in value, and if it is still in good condition you can
resell it for about what you paid for it. Then purchase another
kayak based on your experience.
Safety Notes
Here are some rules and practices that are best followed to decrease your chances go being lost, injured, run over, drowned or picked apart by crabs.
- Take a kayaking course
as suggested above. Read the books that you purchased or borrowed
and reread the sections on safety. Know and practice rescues, both
self and assisted. Several times during the spring and summer, and
after paddles, the AMC will practice rescues.
- Again the Atlantic
Kayak Tours has a good section on kayak safety that includes
coldwater safety, how to dress, rescue skills, signaling and towing
skills.
- For a different method
of self rescue and articles on hypothermia, heat exhaustion and high
winds the Kayak
Lake Mead site is interesting.
- Be sure to read our
equipment
list to see required and suggested gear.
- If you are considering
a paddle late in the evening or night, read the section on required
equipment.
- For an excellent book
on just kayak rescues, read "Sea
Kayak Rescue" by Schumann and Shriner. It covers just
rescue and recovery techniques with clear text and good photos. (2nd
ed. due in April 2007) A more advance book on safety is "Sea
Kayaking: Safety & Rescue" by John Lull. This book
includes safety issues besides rescues, including navigation and
really dangerous surf conditions.
- Another huge safety guide is from the Frontenac
Outfitters. While some of the list includes gear for touring and
camping, the guide is a good list worthy of looking over.
- (new) Early Season paddling usually means the water is cold. Hypothermia is not the whole story. It is very important to realize there are other incapacitating effects. An important site is the Cold Water Boot Camp in Canada. There is a USA version, same material, different presentation. Videos are available for watching volunteers jumping into 45 deg F water and seeing...burrrr...I don't even want to think about it. Here is a sample video.
- (new) "Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning". Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs. Read more... Also view "Video of Instinctive Drowning Response". For "Boating & Water Safety" information see www.facebook.com/watersafety
Resources
Web sites that promote, support and provide information on kayaking, in addition to ours.
- RICKA,
the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association is the largest group of
paddlers in Rhode Island has a sea kayaking section. There are
paddles almost every weekend during the Spring, Summer and Fall of
varying difficulty.
- The AMC has three guide
books on sea kayaking; The ""Sea
Kayaking along the New England Coast" 2nd ed, 2004. "Sea
Kayaking Coastal Massachusetts: From Newburyport to Buzzards Bay"
, 1st ed. 2000. "Sea
Kayaking Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast : Coastal Paddling Adventures
from New York to Chesapeake Bay" 1st ed, 1994
- For day paddles
specific to Cape Cod, look at "Paddling
Cape Cod: A Coastal Explorer's Guide"
- For day paddles in
Narragansett Bay, look at “Day
Paddling Narragansett Bay”
- For day trips to Maine,
you can study the ""Kayaking
the Maine Coast: A Paddler's Guide to Day Trips from Kittery to
Cobscook" which discusses kayaking in Maine and then goes
on describing specific locations along the Maine Coast. The link
photo shows the 1st ed. 2000, a 2nd ed has been published in 2006.
- If you plan on doing a
longer trip along the Maine coast, consider joining the Maine
Island Trail Association. For a nominal ($45, 2006) you get a
good guide book (updated every year) to the Islands along the coast
and as a member you are allowed to use the islands. Many of the
islands are available for camping.
- For maps of coastal
areas, waterproof maps are the best for use in a kayak. Since you
are not navigating in deep waters and not going great distances that
might involve the full detail Nautical Charts, the Maptech
waterproof charts series are adequate for planning and locating
yourself on day paddles. Look at the index map from Maine
to Cape Cod Bay and the index from Cape
Cod to New York Harbor. Most marine stores carry the maps for
their area.
- The expert page of the
Atlantic
Kayak Tours has a complete range of topics.
- See
Kayaks is a directory of sea kayaking activities. It has
categories for Business, Clubs and associations, Discussion Groups,
Events, Publications, and Reference Resources.
- The Sea Kayak Forum is a place for discussion on technique, kayaks, phototography, camping, and kayak building.
- Kayak
Online is a site that maintains many lists of companies, and
their web sites, that make or sell kayaks and kayak related gear.
- (new) 20 New Paddling Trail Maps! Maps developed by ExploreRI is designed to be a one-stop portal for information on freshwater and saltwater paddling in Rhode Island and the Narragansett Bay Watershed, including the Blackstone River and soon the Ten Mile and Taunton River systems in Massachusetts.
Retail Sales
Stores in Rhode Island, and nearby Massachusetts, that sell kayaks, canoes and paddle gear. (Note there is no RI State sales tax on boats sold in RI.) Some stores offer discounts to various outdoor club members with proof of membership.
- Recreational Equipment Inc. a national Co-op for all outdoor sport and activity gear. Carry a reasonable amount of kayak and paddle gear in their Cranston store in season. A larger selection can be ordered on line and delivered to the Cranston Store.
- Eastern Mountain Sports, a large regional sports store has their kayaking office in Lincoln Woods State Park where rentals and lessons are offered. Their Rhode Island Stores are in Warwick and Middletown.
- Canoe Passage Outfitters in Taunton, MA and Warren, RI offer sales of new and used kayaks. They also offer river trips, kayak and bike rentals, and canoe restoration.
- The Kayak Centre in Wickford offers sales of new and used kayaks, instruction and tours, rentals and a large selection of kayak gear. They have direct access to Wickford Harbor via a small tidal branch. They have a Demo Day sale every year which is the largest in RI.
- Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures in Westport, MA has direct access to the East Branch of the Westport River at Head of the Westport. They offers sales of new and used kayaks, sponsor oversea kayak trips, and beginning through advanced training. They also offer extensive kayak repair.
- QuakerLane Outfitters in N. Kingston has no web site, but located at 4019 Quaker Lane, North Kingstown RI 02852, 1-800-249-5400
- Dick's Sporting Goods is a large "box" retailer specializing in sporting goods and equipment. They sell recreational kayaks, of which some are available in local stores. See the store locator to find local stores.
- Blackstone Valley Outfitters is located in a new store next to the Blackstone River in Lincoln. They offer kayak sales, rentals, guided trips, paddling instruction and livery services. They have access to the Blackstone Valley Bike Path from the store and offer bike rentals. They also sell backpacking, camping, hiking, and fishing gear.
rev.4-8-2012
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