Once you’re set with equipment it becomes a question of where to go and when. Rivers and lakes both have their pro’s and cons. Rivers tend to be passable in the spring and fall due to the rains raising the water levels and provide an extremely fun adventure. A river run is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon. It’s a good idea to allow for two to four hours for a river run depending on how far you plan to go. You could even make a day of it and pack lunch with planned breaks to pull ashore. The drawbacks to river runs are that once you start - you’re in it til the end - and in mid-summer many rivers become impassable due to low water levels. Nothings worse than grounding out every few minutes and having to get out of your “yak” to pull it through low water points until you get back to deep enough water.
River run in CT.
When doing river runs start off with lower class rivers. The higher the “class” the more experience and skill required. Easy runs are thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing. Basically, get in and let the river take you. Enjoy a cigar or your beverage of choice along the way while you enjoy the ride. We’ve seen the most beautiful scenery and even bald eagles on river runs. River runs have two points - start and finish, referred to as the “put in” and “take out”. It helps to have two cars, or friends paddling with you, as you can leave a car at the take out to load the kayaks and go back to the put in to pick up the other car. There are some beautiful rivers here in MA such as the “Swift River” which actually isn’t swift at all where the put in and take out are at the same place - you just paddle up river and float back down, only one car required. CT has many options (as do most states) but a perennial favorite is the Quinebaug River which offers many put-in's and take-out's along a lengthy water trail.
Lake paddle in a 13’ Necky.
Lakes are easier, just park and paddle, but require more effort as the current isn’t going to float you down river to the take out. But a nice “sunset paddle” on the lake with a bottle of wine is always a good time.
One good resource for new paddlers, here in New England, is The Last Green Valley Paddle Guide
Guides can give info on river runs (put ins and take outs, length/duration, difficulty, etc.) and apps like “RiverData” for cell phones (available in the Apple app store) provide info on water levels and flow rates for rivers all over the country broken out by state. There are certainly similar apps available for android phones as well.
13’ Necky paddling through a culvert.
Google is your friend if you’re a kayaker - just look up river runs or kayak put-in’s and take outs for rivers near you. You can find paddle guides online as well as comments from other paddlers personal experiences.
Another consideration when going kayaking is clothing. Water shoes are a good idea since they’re going to get wet. Depending on weather and water temperature you may also want to consider wearing a rash guard or a lightweight windbreaker. Sun protection like sunscreen or a hat are always good to have handy. I cannot stress enough how important it is to always dress for the water temperature not the air temperature. If you get wet you want to be warm. They also make thin paddlers gloves with padding on the palm so that if you begin to paddle longer distances you won’t get calluses or blisters. My “go-to’s” are generally Quiksilver, O’Neill and NRS though there are many other good brands out there.
Quiksilver short-sleeved SPF50 rash guard.
CavPro fiberglass paddle and NRS Cove Gloves.
This post barely scratches the surface of what’s available. If you try kayaking and you like it and decide to invest in your own set up, there are also accessories galore, from deck rigging to fishing rod holders and from gps mounts to lighting systems. I highly recommend taking a waterproof speaker and dry bag or dry box along for the ride. Pair your waterproof speaker (such as the tiny Altec Lansing H2O Mini) to your phone and play your favorite playlist and bring along a dry bag or dry box to keep valuables like your wallet, keys and phone dry and secure.
Altec Lansing H2O Mini clipped to a 13’ Necky.
Maybe I’ll see you on the river. 😁
Some basic kayaking terms.
Bow: The front of a kayak.
Bow/stern lines: Tie-downs that are used to tie down the bow and the stern of the kayak to the bumper or trunk lids of the vehicle.
Bulkhead: A foam block that is mounted/sealed to the inside of the kayak that keeps water from entering a specific section of the kayak. This assists in keeping the kayak afloat making it easier to rescue. It also keeps water out of the hatch.
Deck: The top of the kayak.
Downstream V: A section of water that loosely forms a ‘V’ with rough/fast water at the edges. The downstream v indicates the most obstacle-free path through a rapid in a river.
Eddy: A river feature formed when the current flows around an obstacle and water flows back upstream creating a calm space. Eddies are great for resting, getting out of the current and getting out of the river.
Portage: The act of carrying your kayak around an obstacle.
Put-in: the starting point of a paddle, where you put in the water to begin.
Strainer: Refers to a tree or other obstacle in the current that allows the water to flow through but that would trap a kayak and paddler. Strainers are dangerous and should be avoided.
Stern: The back of the kayak.
Take-out: The end point of your trip where you take your kayak out of the water at the end of your run.
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