Whitewater Kayaking & Canoeing Safety Tips

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Whitewater kayaking or canoeing is fun and exciting, but if you don't know how to read a river or you don't bring the right safety gear and follow proper safety guidelines, it can be a dangerous sport. Learn how to read a river and get general whitewater kayaking and canoeing safety tips in this free online instructional video series.

There are 16 videos in this series:

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1.

Avoiding Obstacles when Whitewater Canoeing
Learn how to get around rocks and other obstacles to avoid when whitewater canoeing in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.

Views: 897
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2.

Basic River Safety for Whitewater Canoeing
Rivers can be dangerous for kayakers who haven't developed good 'river judgment.' Learn basic whitewater kayaking and canoeing safety tips and river reading strategies in this free online instructional video lesson.

Views: 1,191
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3.

How to Do a Roll in a Solo Whitewater Canoe
If you flip in a solo canoe, it's possible to roll back upright. Learn how to do a roll in a solo whitewater canoe in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.

Views: 1,323
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4.

How to Exit a Flipped Boat when Whitewater Canoeing
When your whitewater canoe has flipped and you can't roll up, exit by tucking forward. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.

Views: 831
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5.

How to Rescue a Canoeist in Whitewater Rapids
Work together with other paddlers and keep your priorities straight when rescuing a canoeist in whitewater river rapids. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.

Views: 759
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6.

How to Rescue a Capsized Boat in Whitewater Rapids
Rescue a capsized canoe using tow tethers or other boats. Learn how in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.

Views: 980
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7.

How to Swim in Whitewater Rapids
If you flip your kayak or canoe and have to exit the boat and swim toward shore, avoid foot entrapments and use an aggressive or defensive swimming position. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.

Views: 894
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8.

Paddle Signals for Whitewater Canoeing
Use paddle signals developed by the American Whitewater Association to communicate with other boaters when whitewater kayaking or canoeing. Learn basic paddle signals in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.

Views: 913
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9.

Reading River Features for Whitewater Canoeing: Part 1
Eddy lines and wave trains are some of the basic river features that you'll need to read when whitewater kayaking or canoeing. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.

Views: 1,164
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10.

Reading River Features for Whitewater Canoeing: Part 2
Holes, pillows and strainers are some of the basic river features that you'll need to read when whitewater kayaking or canoeing. Learn more in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.

Views: 1,181
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11.

River Reading Strategies for Whitewater Canoeing
Scouting a river is an art that takes practice. Learn basic river reading strategies for whitewater kayaking or canoeing plus get tips on eddy hopping in this free online instructional video lesson.

Views: 1,001
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12.

Safety Gear for Whitewater Canoeing
Throw ropes, folding knives, and whistles are some of the basic safety gear to bring when whitewater kayaking or canoeing in groups. Learn more about safety equipment in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.

Views: 975
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13.

Safety Tips for Whitewater Canoeing Groups
When whitewater kayaking or canoeing in groups, designate a lead boat to go first and a sweep boat to go second and carry the first aid kit. Learn more basic safety tips in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.

Views: 839
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14.

Scouting from Shore when Whitewater Canoeing
When whitewater kayaking or canoeing, scouting from shore can help you get a feel for the rapids and hazards coming up. Learn how to scout a river from shore in this free online instructional video lesson on canoeing and kayaking.

Views: 755
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15.

Types of Rapids in Whitewater Canoeing
Whitewater rapids are classified according to their level of difficulty. Learn about the different classifications and types of whitewater river rapids in this free online instructional video lesson on whitewater kayaking and canoeing.

Views: 1,326
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16.

Water Levels in Whitewater Canoeing
High water levels can make rivers much more dangerous. Learn how river water levels affect whitewater kayaking and canoeing in this free online instructional video lesson.

Views: 753
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Views: 15,766 Videos in Series: 16

Tags: water, safety, kayaking, reading, kayak, canoe, canoeing, river, whitewater

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Summary: The canoe has been used for thousands of years to explore and trade upon waterways and seas. Though motorboats have, for the most part, replaced the canoe for commercial trade, canoes and kayaks are very popular as recreational water craft. There are still many places that cannot be explored without a small maneuverable canoe. Whitewater cannot be conquered in a motorized watercraft. Traveling by canoe or by kayak can be quieter and more tranquil than a boat with a loud gas or diesel engine which polluted and destroys our natural resources. A canoe or kayak can be used by two or more persons depending on the size of the vessel. It is easy, fun, and sometimes comical to learn canoeing and kayaking, but it is important to learn basic whitewater safety and how to read a river before getting into the water.

In this series of free instructional videos you'll get expert advice on whitewater canoeing from a true professional in the field. Bruce Lessels offers tips on basic river safety, how to organize a canoeing party by size, paddle signals and essential safety gear. You'll learn about the various types of rapids, common features of rivers, how to use certain obstacles to your advantage and how to avoid others, as well as how to exit a canoe. Bruce also gives you tips on swimming in whitewater if you do turn over, and how to rescue a capsized canoeist as well. Don't get caught upstream without these essential canoeing safety tips.

About the Expert

Contact: zoaroutdoor.com

Expert: Bruce Lessels is president and co-founder of Zoar Outdoor, a full-service outdoor center in western Massachusetts offering whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, biking, fly fishing, camping and lodging. Bruce has been pursuing his interests in the outdoors for over 30 years and was a member of the US Whitewater Team in the 1980s.

Zoar Outdoor was established in 1989 as the first outdoor center on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts. Since 1989, Zoar Outdoor has offered the best in New England white water rafting trips, kayaking clinics, canoeing instruction, rock climbing classes, fly fishing and bike rentals for adventurers of all abilities, from beginners to experts. www.zoaroutdoor.com