Wear Safety Gear • Always wear a properly fitted life jacket (PFD). • Dress for the water temperature, not the air. • Bring a whistle, dry bag, and water. ⸻ 3. Launch the Kayak • Place the kayak in shallow water, parallel to the shore. • Sit down carefully while holding both sides for balance. • Use your paddle or push off with your hands/feet to get moving. ⸻ 4. Learn Basic Paddle Strokes • Forward stroke: Dip one end of the paddle into the water near your feet and pull it back. Alternate sides. • Reverse stroke: Same as forward but in reverse to move backward. • Sweep stroke: A wide arc stroke used to turn the kayak. • Draw stroke: Pull the kayak sideways, used to move closer to a dock or another kayak. ⸻ 5. Maintain Good Posture • Sit up straight with your feet braced against the foot pegs. • Relax your arms and use your torso to paddle efficiently. • Keep your knees slightly bent and in contact with the sides of the kayak for control. ⸻ 6. Practice Turning and Stopping • Use wide strokes on one side to turn in the opposite direction. • Paddle backward gently to slow down or stop. ⸻ 7. Understand Water Safety • Avoid fast currents or open water until you’re more experienced. • Be mindful of weather, wind, and water conditions. • Let someone know your route and estimated return time. ⸻ 8. Get Back In If You Fall Out If you fall out of a sit-on-top, swim to the kayak, grab the sides, and hoist yourself back on. For sit-inside kayaks, you may need to learn a wet exit and practice reentry techniques with a buddy or in a class.