ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS
On this page we will list advice from local yakers. Read through and pick up a few tips!
RUSSELL JOHNSON
"Always have a float plan and leave it with someone. Other items you should always have with you are, a whistle, flashlight and small first aid kit. Wear your PFD at all times. A river gauge app is helpful. And never go out without water and non-perishable snacks."
BOB CANNON
KEVIN ROHLAND
"Take a friend or let someone know where your going and when you plan on returning.
Always plan on going into the water no matter what.
Tether anything important or valuable especially phones.
Be aware of hazards like low head dams or strainers especially in streams that are new to you.
Pack light at first and enjoy yourself."
ZAK PARKS
"You will need a kayak, probably."
ERIC DAVIS
"There's an abundance of information on fishandboat.com. Also they offer paddling skills classes that can be requested through the regional offices education staff. It's a great course for beginner paddlers. The local Harry Enstrom chapter is currently working on having several of their members become instructors. I am currently an instructor as well."
AMANDA WOLFE
"The biggest thing I learned is get solid shoes. There are several different kinds of water shoes but the ones without hard bottoms are garbage for river and creek kayaking. When you get in and out you're stepping on rocks and sticks and nothing hurts worse than jamming your heel down on a rock. Do yourself a favor and get a shoe with a solid bottom. You won't regret it!"
CHRISTINE STALNAKER
"When choosing your yak, do your research. YouTube is a great source of information. If possible, see if friends with yaks will let you try theirs on for size. Your activity level will determine what kind of yak will best fit your needs. Also plan how you will haul and secure your yak to your choice of river, lake , pond, whatever . This is a biggie. Lol. Have fun paddling!!"
DENISE CHADWICK
"Always pack your camera. the view from the kayak affords so many photo opportunities, ( like fish jumping out of the water and landing on you), watching beavers build their damns, a crane along a river bank is so much more interesting and at a much cooler angle then from the bank where most people fish and if your tired of rowing, you just stop and let yourself drift for a while. SOOOO relaxing."
AMBER LEMLEY JERRAL
"Dry shoes to change into, rope and definitely a camera! Love kayaking on Dunkard. You get a different perspective of nature and it's so peaceful!"
SUSAN COBERT SMITH
"Phone lanyard with plastic sleeve to keep phone protected and still can take pics, a dry bag to put towel and extra clothes, snack that you can stow away in the covered cargo hold in the Kayak, sunglasses, hat, bug spray because you may encounter a swarm of bitting bugs, sunscreen, money for if you find a cool place to stop on your adventures, cold drinks and if you can find something that can temporarily fix a hole in your kayak."
Mathew Fehling
"Consider a floating paddle or tether....or feel around for my old one at the bottom of Ten Mile"
Connie Ankrom Mego
"Always wear a life jacket and wear water shoes and if taking cellphone make sure its in a waterproof with air in container so it wont float to the bottom in case falling in water"
Rachel Amanda
"Install A paddle holder on the side of your kayak if you don't already have one. Easy to install, inexpensive, and convenient."
Jason Forbes
"A lot of factors can come into play here. If the bottom of the boat has a V shape, it will most likely track better. By "track", I mean if you stop paddling, it's how the kayak "drifts". A smooth or round bottom boat is much more likely to turn to one side or spin around. A longer boat generally adds a little more stability. Boats intended for whitewater kayaking are very short and have smooth, rounded bottoms. This allows the paddler to spin and maneuver the boat around obstacles very freely. However, on flat water (creeks, ponds, lakes, etc) a whitewater boat is more difficult to paddle in a straight line. On the flip side, a 12' v bottom boat will usually track very straight, but would not do as well in big rapids. 8' and 10' boats are among the most common entry level boats."
Terri Angel
"I have an ascend, it's 10ft, v bottom and an open back. It's like the perfect hybrid. I have class 1-2 in the waterway we kayak and this is very stable but easily maneuverable. I have used it in the ocean as well. It sits high enough off the water to handle the waves and my big ass dog walking around or curling up in the back cargo area like he is on a yaught. He is a lazy jerk. Only wants to swim if it's warm. My pittie is kind of a princess."
Peggy Blair
"I use a short child's kayak and I love it for maneuvering. It's not so great on open still water with no current. But I sit way down in and it's closed so it keeps me dry."
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RUSSELL JOHNSON
"Always have a float plan and leave it with someone. Other items you should always have with you are, a whistle, flashlight and small first aid kit. Wear your PFD at all times. A river gauge app is helpful. And never go out without water and non-perishable snacks."
BOB CANNON
- "Some of my must take items are:
- Cell Phone with a waterproof floating case
- Camera for the awesome view
- bottled water
- snacks
- sun screen
- pfd, whistle (per reg)
- first aid kit
- and last but not least FRIENDS"
KEVIN ROHLAND
"Take a friend or let someone know where your going and when you plan on returning.
Always plan on going into the water no matter what.
Tether anything important or valuable especially phones.
Be aware of hazards like low head dams or strainers especially in streams that are new to you.
Pack light at first and enjoy yourself."
ZAK PARKS
"You will need a kayak, probably."
ERIC DAVIS
"There's an abundance of information on fishandboat.com. Also they offer paddling skills classes that can be requested through the regional offices education staff. It's a great course for beginner paddlers. The local Harry Enstrom chapter is currently working on having several of their members become instructors. I am currently an instructor as well."
AMANDA WOLFE
"The biggest thing I learned is get solid shoes. There are several different kinds of water shoes but the ones without hard bottoms are garbage for river and creek kayaking. When you get in and out you're stepping on rocks and sticks and nothing hurts worse than jamming your heel down on a rock. Do yourself a favor and get a shoe with a solid bottom. You won't regret it!"
CHRISTINE STALNAKER
"When choosing your yak, do your research. YouTube is a great source of information. If possible, see if friends with yaks will let you try theirs on for size. Your activity level will determine what kind of yak will best fit your needs. Also plan how you will haul and secure your yak to your choice of river, lake , pond, whatever . This is a biggie. Lol. Have fun paddling!!"
DENISE CHADWICK
"Always pack your camera. the view from the kayak affords so many photo opportunities, ( like fish jumping out of the water and landing on you), watching beavers build their damns, a crane along a river bank is so much more interesting and at a much cooler angle then from the bank where most people fish and if your tired of rowing, you just stop and let yourself drift for a while. SOOOO relaxing."
AMBER LEMLEY JERRAL
"Dry shoes to change into, rope and definitely a camera! Love kayaking on Dunkard. You get a different perspective of nature and it's so peaceful!"
SUSAN COBERT SMITH
"Phone lanyard with plastic sleeve to keep phone protected and still can take pics, a dry bag to put towel and extra clothes, snack that you can stow away in the covered cargo hold in the Kayak, sunglasses, hat, bug spray because you may encounter a swarm of bitting bugs, sunscreen, money for if you find a cool place to stop on your adventures, cold drinks and if you can find something that can temporarily fix a hole in your kayak."
Mathew Fehling
"Consider a floating paddle or tether....or feel around for my old one at the bottom of Ten Mile"
Connie Ankrom Mego
"Always wear a life jacket and wear water shoes and if taking cellphone make sure its in a waterproof with air in container so it wont float to the bottom in case falling in water"
Rachel Amanda
"Install A paddle holder on the side of your kayak if you don't already have one. Easy to install, inexpensive, and convenient."
Jason Forbes
"A lot of factors can come into play here. If the bottom of the boat has a V shape, it will most likely track better. By "track", I mean if you stop paddling, it's how the kayak "drifts". A smooth or round bottom boat is much more likely to turn to one side or spin around. A longer boat generally adds a little more stability. Boats intended for whitewater kayaking are very short and have smooth, rounded bottoms. This allows the paddler to spin and maneuver the boat around obstacles very freely. However, on flat water (creeks, ponds, lakes, etc) a whitewater boat is more difficult to paddle in a straight line. On the flip side, a 12' v bottom boat will usually track very straight, but would not do as well in big rapids. 8' and 10' boats are among the most common entry level boats."
Terri Angel
"I have an ascend, it's 10ft, v bottom and an open back. It's like the perfect hybrid. I have class 1-2 in the waterway we kayak and this is very stable but easily maneuverable. I have used it in the ocean as well. It sits high enough off the water to handle the waves and my big ass dog walking around or curling up in the back cargo area like he is on a yaught. He is a lazy jerk. Only wants to swim if it's warm. My pittie is kind of a princess."
Peggy Blair
"I use a short child's kayak and I love it for maneuvering. It's not so great on open still water with no current. But I sit way down in and it's closed so it keeps me dry."
Want to add some advice to this page? Contact us