March 16, 2005
Paddle club stresses kayak safety concerns
Cherry Capital Paddle America Club offers nine water safety sessions in Civic Center pool
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Hypothermia, drowning, injury - the stakes can be high when paddling on the region's lakes, rivers and open water.
The Cherry Capital Paddle America Club is in the midst of a three-month, nine-session series of safety training seminars geared to both new and experienced kayakers. Held on Sundays at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center Pool, the classes allow participants to practice rescue techniques using their craft in a controlled environment.
Veteran instructors Dave Braun and Brad Zucco led Sunday's class, first demonstrating and then guiding participants through solo and team rescues.
"Always dress for immersion conditions," Braun told the group, discussing wet suits and dry suits. "My philosophy is if you're not ready to go swimming or to jump out of your boat, you're not ready to paddle."
Techniques and equipment aside, sometimes the biggest part of safety is discernment - making that tough and sometimes embarrassing decision to paddle another day.
"The one thing we really have a hard time teaching is common sense and good judgement," Braun said. "The biggest safety issue is not to go out in conditions that you are not up to. Don't be afraid if you're with a group and you're not comfortable, don't be afraid to say, 'I'm not going.'"
This week's topic, basic safety and advanced rescue, drew seven participants and two watchers who did not get in the water.
Mark Beard of Interlochen brought his kayak to drill some rescue techniques that he has used himself after capsizing on the water. A kayaker for the past three years with extensive boating experience before that, Beard is a strong believer is safety and training.
Even though he knew much of the information presented he jumped at the chance to hear it again and practice it in the pool. Beard concentrated on the paddle float solo rescue as well as some team rescue techniques.
"I've done them but in a different kayak, this one went a lot smoother," he noted. "You have to keep doing it, it's all about safety."
Beard has attended many club paddling events the past few summers, kayaking on lakes, rivers and open water.
"I just need more on the rescue and moving water, which is the rivers," said Beard, adding that he tipped a number of times last summer while using his rudder in rivers. "I need to learn more control on the rivers and to learn to navigate the river without a rudder."
The club has been offering winter training sessions for years and club president Nancy Thorton said the pool provides ideal conditions. Practicing moves without wind, cold or fear can help build reflexes and judgement for being on the water at other times.
"It's fun getting a deep bag of tricks, being safe but doing it in a controlled and fun environment," said Thorton, a certified instructor with the American Canoe Association.
Thorton emphasized that the classes are not just for ambitious open water kayakers with their longer, skinnier and easier-to-tip boats.
"I think it's equally if not more important that somebody who paddles a recreational kayak understands what happens when they capsize" she said.