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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 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 Home
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