Bill Freeman doubles as a CEO and a member of ADCNR’s R3 (Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation) team. He is also in charge of the Department’s Campus Conservation Program. He said the paddle sports training increases opportunities for ADCNR’s R3 efforts.

“As far as our educational programs, it’s going to open a whole new audience for us,” Freeman said. “It’s something we can teach and use to engage a whole different group in outdoor recreation. It will impact us in a huge way.

“The training showed us how important it is for an agency to focus on safety. It’s a great sport, and paddle sports are growing. We can teach safety, how to have a good time and make sure you come home at the end of the day.”

The completion of the course allows the CEOs and State Parks rangers to teach paddling techniques and safety to other ADCNR personnel and the public.

“The training focuses on safety first and foremost,” Wood said. “Then it covers paddling techniques and how to become more comfortable in a paddle craft. It also covers the differences between the locations you’re going to paddle in, including flat water and moving water.”

Wood said gear selection is a critical piece of the equation to ensure an enjoyable, safe paddling trip. He said the gear needs to match the kind of paddling planned. That is especially true for your personal flotation device (PFD/life jacket). He recommends seeking professional or expert advice in the purchases of life jackets and kayaks.

“Obviously, you should always wear your life jacket,” Wood said. “Try to purchase your kayak and gear from places that can give you sound advice. If you’re going to paddle rapids, you need a certain kayak. If you use a $200 kayak, you are more than likely going to have trouble.”

Wood does not recommend inflatable life jackets for paddling.

“There are several issues with inflatables,” he said. “One issue is if you hit your head and it doesn’t automatically inflate, you won’t be able to inflate it manually. If you get knocked out, you’re just out of the game.

“If you use a Type III life jacket that is suitable for whitewater or kayak angling, choose one that’s comfortable and don’t buy anything cheap. You want something with quality stitching that won’t come apart as easily as the less expensive ones. You’ll need to spend a little extra money on your life jacket, but it’s worth it.”

Wood said that, according to the latest U.S. Coast Guard statistics, the number of paddling fatalities has gone up nationally as the popularity of the sport has increased. He considers kayak anglers to be more vulnerable than paddlers who often travel in groups, but he encourages anglers to try fishing from a kayak.

“Get a fishing license and start fishing from a paddle craft,” he said. “This is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy fishing. It’s safe if you follow paddle sport safety, and you can fish in waters that are not accessible to other vessels. You can fish in places where a bass boat can’t go. But when you’re out there fishing, you may not easily be seen by other boaters. I recommend a bright colored paddle craft and clothes to make sure you will be seen on the water.

“It’s also important to create a float plan. Let somebody know where you’re going, where you’re planning to take out and what time to expect you at home. If you don’t make it to the take-out, lose your phone, and you’re stranded out on a rock, they have better information to provide to first responders to help them find you quickly.”

The participants also took the opportunity to practice rollovers and exiting and reentering their kayaks, which can be especially difficult for kayak anglers.

“It’s more difficult than you think,” Wood said. “That’s one thing I think people don’t practice enough – getting back on their craft after they’ve rolled out. When you put a fishing kayak into the equation, a lot of people have fish finders and other equipment mounted on their paddle craft. If you have that craft trimmed out and take a spill, you have all that gear to get around to get back in the kayak. In open water that is very difficult. There are techniques we can teach on how to right your boat, but it’s a lot harder with all that gear. The main thing is to stay calm. A lot of people tend to panic, and that can cause problems.

“Paddling is a fun activity for the entire family, but safety is paramount.”