Be prepared for safe summer adventures
Just as there are many outdoor activities to enjoy, there are unlimited tips for each individual outdoor pursuit. Use the tips here to enhance your safety, performance and levels of fun.
CARRY AN EXTRA KAYAK PADDLE
It’s true, every summer there are paddlers who find themselves up the creek without a paddle. Go figure.
Thus today’s tip for kayakers is to carry a spare paddle. Why? Because it doesn’t matter if it’s an afternoon or multi-day trip, if you lose or break your paddle, you’ll be sad, or worse, in danger. Ask anybody who’s been in a situation where they’re paddling with one blade or worse, using their arms, and they will tell you it’s no fun.
The good news is that it’s easy to pack one on every trip. Some choose to pack their extra paddle in the front or rear hatches, but that can be a pain when you need to get at it in a hurry. And where you kayak may dictate to which deck you’d like it secured. The front deck is nice as it’s easily viewed, but in big surfs this may add spray. The rear deck is attractive as it’s out of the surf’s way, but harder to grab or monitor.
Wherever it’s secured, bring one along for the ride.
STAND UP PADDLING? STAY WITH YOUR BOARD
Firstly, if you haven’t tried Standup Paddling, you should. Not only is it terrific for your core strength, the perspective of the terrain around you is enhanced significantly when you’re standing.
But this tip is about your safety. Regardless of your swimming ability, keep yourself safe by following these words of advice: ❚ wear a life-jacket because, if you fall and hit your head on the board, it could knock you out; ❚ use the ankle tether strap to keep you tied to your board; ❚ never leave the board as the wind could blow it away faster than you can swim to it; ❚ keeping your energy levels in mind, paddle upwind first so if tired, you’ll be able to coast along downwind to your put-in spot.
CYCLISTS: TRUST YOUR FRONT BRAKES
As much fun as it is to go fast, it can become quickly less so if you can’t properly stop; so here’s a quick braking tip.
The first time you need to implement an emergency stop, use your front brakes. When cycling dry roads at fast speeds, applying hard pressure on the front brake yields you the greatest chance to stop quickly.
However, many cyclists stay away from using the front brake for fear of flying over the handlebars. This can be avoided by using your arms to brace yourself and by keeping your centre of gravity as far back as possible, slipping your butt off the saddle.
If you rely on the rear brake all the time, you’ll find in an emergency and panic you’ll also apply the front brake, leading to the dreaded end-over.
It can also lead to fishtailing, where using both brakes together sets the rear wheel into a skid, allowing it to easily slide sideways and forward.
Experienced cyclists use the front brake alone about 95 per cent of the time, and though there are situations where it’s advised to use just the rear brake or both together, for now, focus on mastering the front brake.
IF YOU DO AS BEARS DO, BRING TP
As much as you like being close to nature, when nature calls it’s nice to have toilet paper handy. And the best way to ensure it lasts the duration of your trip is to remove the centre cardboard tube and pack it in a zip-lock bag.
When required, keep 90 per cent of it in the bag and slide out only what you need, leaving the rest protected in the plastic.
When it comes to disposal, you have several options depending on your camping habits and conscientious or environmental values.
Some campers have a separate bag for disposal with plans to bringing it back to civilization. Others keep it until it can be burned in the evening fire. Yet others elect to break it up and bury it in loose soil to help expedite the decomposition process. If you choose this last option, don’t bury it anywhere near your campsite or water.
Lastly, some choose to bring along adult-sized wipes to act as nature’s bidet. Hmmm.
WHEN RIVER CANOEING, KNOW YOUR ABILITIES
Ideally, the first time you canoe on a river you will be with somebody experienced. The second last thing you want is to get caught up in current so strong that you can’t make it safely to shore. The last thing you want is to not know your paddling route and what lies ahead.
So, know your limitations, your abilities and your route. If two of you are paddling your canoe well, you’ll keep the craft under control and together you can get to where you need to go. But be aware of your environment.
Keep an eye out for anglers fishing nearby, don’t paddle if it’s raining heavily, and if there are several canoes, keep a safe distance between them.
Paddling on rivers can be exhilarating so long as you’re aware of your abilities and the route.