River Reading & River Safety for Whitewater Canoeing

Whitewater kayaking or canoeing is fun and exciting, but if you don't know how to read a river or you don't bring the right safety gear and follow proper safety guidelines, it can be a dangerous sport. Learn how to read a river and get general whitewater kayaking and canoeing safety tips in this free online instructional video series.

Series Summary

The canoe has been used for thousands of years to explore and trade upon waterways and seas. Though motorboats have, for the most part, replaced the canoe for commercial trade, canoes and kayaks are very popular as recreational water craft. There are still many places that cannot be explored without a small maneuverable canoe. Whitewater cannot be conquered in a motorized watercraft. Traveling by canoe or by kayak can be quieter and more tranquil than a boat with a loud gas or diesel engine which polluted and destroys our natural resources. A canoe or kayak can be used by two or more persons depending on the size of the vessel. It is easy, fun, and sometimes comical to learn canoeing and kayaking, but it is important to learn basic whitewater safety and how to read a river before getting into the water.

In this series of free instructional videos you'll get expert advice on whitewater canoeing from a true professional in the field. Bruce Lessels offers tips on basic river safety, how to organize a canoeing party by size, paddle signals and essential safety gear. You'll learn about the various types of rapids, common features of rivers, how to use certain obstacles to your advantage and how to avoid others, as well as how to exit a canoe. Bruce also gives you tips on swimming in whitewater if you do turn over, and how to rescue a capsized canoeist as well. Don't get caught upstream without these essential canoeing safety tips.

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Bruce Lessels

River Reading & River Safety for Whitewater Canoeing

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