River Evaluation -- Play It Safe Before You and Your Kayak Hit the Water

Okay, so you've found a new stretch of river that looks promising, and you're itching to get your boat on the water. But not so fast. River evaluation is an important part of every safe paddling adventure. Before you take on an unknown river, make sure you know what you're getting yourself and your partners into.

The four main considerations are:

     · Your ability
     · The class of rapids you'll be tackling
     · The current river flow level
     · Your kayak and supporting equipment

You should have a pretty good idea about the first factor, but the other three aren't always so easy to determine. If you have a friend who's paddled the stretch of river in question, pick his or her brain and get as much information about the type and class of rapids you'll be facing and any hazardous features or water levels. And make sure your kayak and other gear are appropriate for the conditions.

If you don't know anyone who's familiar with the river, try asking a rafting guide or a canoe livery operator. These folks are usually excellent sources of info regarding the rivers they service. They can warn you about any difficult or dangerous conditions, including unusually cold temperatures, high water levels, or particularly challenging rapids.

And if none of these sources comes through, you can always hike down the river to see for yourself what lies ahead. Sure, this might be a lot of work, and it'll take away from your time on the water, but that's a lot better than getting caught in a situation you're not prepared or equipped for.

In summary, always know what you're getting yourself into before you hit the water, and chances are you'll have a great time and make it home with your kayak--and yourself--in one piece.

No Play in that old Playboat?

Are you losing ground--not to mention bragging rights--to your buddies in their sleek new playboats? Has your trusty old kayak been dinged and patched so many times it's beginning to resemble a crash test dummy? Or are you new to the sport and looking for your first whitewater kayak?

If so, you might consider purchasing your next boat from one of the online merchants. Retail paddling shops are great if you can find one, but most only carry one or two brands, and expect to pay the full retail price. Online merchants, on the other hand, often carry several brands and dozens of kayak models, and usually at very competitive prices. They have secure ordering systems, good warranty and return policies, and will ship virtually anywhere in the world. And you won't have to spend a weekend driving all over town in search of that perfect new boat.

If you've got a moment, check out one of our recommended merchants. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Backcountry.com
Shop Backcountry.com for a great selection of name brand whitewater kayaks, including Perception and Dagger.

Tips & Tricks

Testing new equipment.

Always test new equipment before going out on the water. A seat cushion may come loose and get jammed forward when you reenter the cockpit. That new bilge pump you just bought may be defective. Or the batteries that came with your new VHF radio may only work for 20 minutes. The same rule applies to gear that's been in storage for a long period of time. Always test, and you won't be surprised at a critical moment on the water.