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PADDLESPORT BOATS
Characteristics of Paddlesport Boats
- Lightweight and easily transported.
- Rounded and flat bottom styles.
- Some with flat stern for small motor.
- Easily tipped.
Safety Tips for PaddleSports
- Always wear a properly fitted PFD.
- Take hands-on training. Paddle with a friend or a group if you can.
- Be prepared to end up in the water and know how to swim.
- Standing up or moving about in a canoe/kayak increases the chance of capsize.
- Maintain 3 points of contact while moving around.
- Load the boat properly by keeping the weight centered both from side to side and bow to stern. The lower and closer the load in the boat is to the centerline, the more stable the boat will be.
- Never overload the boat. Always maintain adequate freeboard.
- Keep your shoulders inside the gunnels of the boat. When retrieving something from the water, reach with your paddle or guide the boat close enough to the object so you can reach it without leaning over the side of the boat.
- Don’t take unnecessary risks. Stay off the water during extreme weather or water conditions. Floodwaters or fast currents often are beyond the limits of even the most skilled boater.
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