Mandatory Safety Equipment (Transport Canada)
- Personal Flotation Device (PFD): Must wear a Canadian-approved PFD or lifejacket sized properly for each person on board at all times.
- Sound-Signaling Device: A pealess whistle or other approved sound-signaling device attached to your PFD.
- Buoyant Heaving Line: A 15-meter (approx. 50-foot) buoyant line (exempt for sit-on-top kayaks or paddleboards only if a PFD is worn continuously).
- Bailing/Pumping Device: A bilge pump, sponge, or bailer to remove water, unless the kayak is designed so it cannot hold enough water to capsize.
- Reboarding Device: Required if the height from the water to the top of the kayak deck exceeds 50 cm.
- Visibility & Lighting: Brightly colored boats or clothing (red, yellow, orange) improve visibility; carry waterproof navigation lights or a flashlight if out near or after sunset. [1, 2]
Basic Technique & Handling Rules
- Proper Posture: Sit up straight with your lower back supported, knees slightly bent, and feet resting firmly on the footpegs.
- Torso Rotation: Power your forward and reverse strokes by rotating your torso and core muscles rather than pulling strictly with your arms.
- Paddle Grip: Place your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, keeping a loose, comfortable grip to prevent wrist fatigue.
- Center of Gravity: Keep your body weight centered over the middle of the boat when entering, exiting, or paddling. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
General Safety & Planning
- Know Your Limits: Stay close to shore and paddle in calm, protected waters (such as quiet lakes or small bays) until you have built up basic skills.
- Capsize Plan: Always practice or know how to re-enter your kayak in shallow water, and wear thermal or weather-appropriate layers to prevent hypothermia.
- Check Conditions: Monitor local wind, weather forecasts, and motorized boat traffic before launching. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]