The appeal of kayaks has exploded over the past few years and that has raised safety concerns.
“I have done surveys on the (Clarion River) and usually there are twice as many kayaks as canoes,” said Dale Luthringer, Cook Forest State Park environmental specialist.
Presque Isle State Park in Erie also has experienced similar growth.
To help promote safety on the water, Cook Forest State Park recently hosted an American Canoe Association (ACA) two-day class on introduction to kayaking.
“We will teach people the different kinds of kayaks, the different kinds of paddles and equipment,” Luthringer said. “We have been doing this for the past eight years. We do one class here in Cook Forest, Presque Isle and other more highly skilled classes at Cook Forest.”
He said many people “think they know what they are doing” with a kayak, go to the water and “then they flip. Then they find out they don’t know what to do next. We will show people how to self-rescue and buddy assist.”
In other classes, Luthringer said, more difficult rescues, such as teaching people how to rescue someone with limited mobility using a sling, are discussed.
“Most of the problems we encounter in the park come from a lack of knowledge,” he said. “Honestly, the Clarion is a Class One river and it doesn’t get any easier unless you are in a pond. People will take that for granted.
“If you get into a kayak you are going to flip. Whether you plan it or not, it will happen. It is just a matter of when. We try to get people used to that in a controlled environment so that when it happens they will know what to do.”
The right kayak
Luthringer said it is all about getting equipped with a kayak that best suits the person.
“We want to make this more comfortable for people so they will come back again,” he said. “If they buy a boat that doesn’t fit them, they will be uncomfortable and they won’t come back again.
“It pays to find one that fits you. It may cost a bit more but, if you take care of it, it will last for decades. If you go a store and they won’t let you sit in it, go to another store. There is a kayak for just about everybody. You try to match the kayak to the person.”
There are many types of boats, according to Luthringer, and the cheaper ones for $200 at a box store might not offer safety or comfort. They might not have a place to store gear or a bulkhead to keep water out. Some of the better boats will have a bulkhead in front of the cockpit and behind it.
“A pump is invaluable because you will get water into your boat from rain or going over rapids,” Luthringer said. “Just getting in and out of the cockpit on your boat will get water into it.
“Instead of having to roll your boat over to get out the water, you can just pump it out while you stay in your boat. If you don’t have a pump, you’ll end up sitting in soup for a couple of hours.”
He advises carrying an extra paddle.
“You can secure your paddle to your boat with a tether or you can attach a floatation device to the paddle. If all else fails, you can stow a collapsible paddle,” Luthringer said. “A lot of this is common sense.”
Year-round kayaking
Most people kayak in the summer months, but some people take to the water during winter or early spring when the water is very cold. That requires special equipment.
“A lot of people come to the park in the spring and they don’t have the proper gear,” Luthringer said. “That water is 50 degrees and it is higher water than during the summer.”
Therefore, he advises taking along extra gear.
“In colder weather you could wear a wetsuit,” Luthringer said. “What people don’t understand is that a wetsuit doesn’t keep the water out. It allows the water in and your body warms the water. When it gets 55 degrees or lower you will want a wet suit.
“When it gets colder than that you will want a dry suit that keeps the water out. It has a gasket around the neck and a bootie that keeps the water out. There is no insulation in the suit; so you need to layer your clothing under the suit. You can also get a dry top and dry bottom.”
He said if someone turns over in cold water, they will have “maybe 10 minutes” before not being able to move at all. “If you don’t have this gear as soon as you hit the water, your clock is ticking.”
Anyone using a state park or state Fish & Boat Commission launch must register their boat with the commission or they can get a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources launch permit, according to Luthringer.
“There are kayak classes available in the private sector,” he said. “If you want to join an ACA sanctioned class, you will need to look online. They are hard to find.
“I would urge anyone who is considering kayaking to join a class before they hit the water.”