How to Follow the Kayaking Right of Way Rule

While there are no right-of-way rules set in stone, there are a few key components to ensuring the boat safety of yourself and others when kayaking. Although not every boater may abide by these unspoken rules, doing your part in following them will contribute to a safer day on the water.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Stay to the right. Just as with driving, kayakers should always stay to the right when paddling forward.

2. Pay attention to any kayakers ahead of you. They have the right of way, just like downhill skiers do. It's tricky, and takes away some of the enjoyment of kayaking if the kayaker or skier has to keep looking backwards to see if anyone is coming. If you must pass a kayaker in front of you, alert them that you are coming or give yourself plenty of space in case she should decide to change directions without knowing your location.

3. Follow the saying "might has right" or the "rule of tonnage" when in doubt. If you are rowing down a channel and find yourself contending with a speedboat, let the speedboat go ahead. It's much bigger than you.

4. Look both ways before pulling out into the water. With river kayaking, anyone coming down stream has the right of way. Shoving out in front of a moving boater is dangerous and against kayaking etiquette.

5. Protect yourself. Just as your driver's education instructor taught you as a teenager, "the best driver is a defensive driver." This applies to kayaking, too. Be cautious of everything around you. Take your time and allow others to go before you if it keeps everyone safer. You never know how experienced the other boaters are; they could be more out of control than they appear.

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