Canoeing is an awesome recreational boating activity. Not only is canoeing a total body workout, it’s also a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends in nature.
If you’re a beginner, check out these five canoeing tips for beginners.
Plan for Your Trip
As you’re preparing for your first canoe trip, it’s important that you have an idea of the body of water you’re planning to canoe on. Rivers will tend to have currents while lakes will be a little less prone to tides and current.
Know if there’s a lot of other traffic on the water from other boats or fishermen. And depending on the season and the weather, make sure you have the gear that you need to stay both warm and safe.
Bring the Right Gear
Let’s start with the basics — the canoe and paddles. For most beginners, you’ll be renting your equipment from a local provider. Outfitters can provide everything you need, including a life jacket. It’s important that you always wear the life jacket while you’re in the boat.
If this is not your first canoe trip, and you’re thinking of investing in your own gear, go check it out in person. You can get great deals online, but spending some time talking to knowledgeable folks can make the world of difference.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
For clothing, make sure you wear something you don’t mind getting wet. Whether that’s a bathing suit or water-resistant shorts or pants, or in colder weather canoeing, something made of wool or other synthetic fabric. This will help keep you comfortable should you get wet.
Make sure that whatever you bring in the canoe with you can also get wet — so be careful about bringing your wallet or other electronics not in waterproof cases.
Basic Canoeing Tips
Regardless of whether you’re canoeing on a river or lake, in summer or winter, there are a few quick rules of thumb that will help to keep you safe.
- Be honest with yourself about your skillset. Remember that as long as your boat is under control, you’ll be okay.
- Be careful to avoid areas of water where there are fishermen. You don’t want to get tangled in their lines.
- Stop paddling if it’s raining heavily or flooding.
- If you’re a beginner, don’t go out on the water alone. Bring at least one friend with you for safety reasons.
Following these basic tips will help to keep you safe out on the water.
Learn Some Basic Strokes
While paddling a canoe seems pretty easy, there are a few basic strokes you can learn that will make the experience much easier.
There are a few basic canoe strokes that will help you to navigate your boat including the forward stroke, the J-stroke, and the draw stroke. Strokes can be learned online or in a book, but it’s important to get some practice in prior to taking a boat out on the water.
Contact Us to Help Plan Your Canoeing Adventure
We’re here to help you plan your first canoeing adventure! Whether you’re looking for a guided tour or to rent the equipment for your own adventure, contact us for more information and bookings.
Naples Beach Adventures
11135 GulfShore Drive
Naples, FL 34108
Parking Lot #4
(239) 596-9842