Safety and Skills

Most streams and waterways in Dane County are pretty forgiving. If you stay close to the shore and don't go paddling when it is excessively cold, you're almost assured a safe trip. It is important to know your limitations however and to always be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards. Here are a few tips to ensure your safety and enjoyment:

• Don't paddle when the water's cold!
  The warm spring days of Southern Wisconsin can be very deceiving. Although the air temperature could be reching into the 70s and beyond, the water temperature can still be close to freezing. In general, the larger the body of water, the longer it takes to heat up. There are caveats to this though, especially when the water is moving or there is lots of shade from the sun. It's best not to go paddling if the water temperature is beneath 55 degrees. In Dane County this usually means mid-May at the earliest. If you do decide to go earlier in the year, please where warm-when-wet clothes, such as polyester or other wicking fabrics, and not cotton (which simply keeps cold water close to your body and takes a long time to dry). Hypothermia is a very dangerous threat. Stay off the water when it's cold!
• Don't drink alcohol or use drugs when paddling
  Even though canoeing and kayaking might seem less prone to drug-related injuries than driving a motor boat, the risks are still there. Most importantly, alcohol and drugs negatively affect your decision-making abilities. There's few times where these can be more important than when you're on the water during a thunderstorm, there are wind and waves present, or the river is trying to sweep you away.
• Practice paddling in a safe environment and consider taking lessons
  Many of us feel comfortable in a canoe or kayak without spending a lot of time at it or taking lessons. It's hard to imagine what skills could be necessary on a small stream barely flowing along on a warm summer's day. We need our training and skills though, for less-than-ideal conditions. When water levels are high or if you are paddling with a novice, you will feel thankful that you spent sometime practicing in quietwater. If you don't know what a 'brace' is and how to execute one effectively, it's time to learn. If you find your arms are tired after a long day of paddling, some lessons could bring you welcome comfort by giving you better technique. Here are a few places where you can improvie your skills:
  Hoofer Outing Club - low yearly membership dues, lessons are free for members (you can use their boats too)
  Rutabaga - the largest paddeshop in the country also has well-qualified friendly instructors
  Water Trail Adventures - comprehensive instruction and rentals
• Be aware of others
  There are many recreational uses of the lakes and streams we have here in Dane County. Fishing, water skiing, sailing, and power boating are all enjoyed here. As paddlers, it is important to be aware of watercraft and hazards that surround you. The wake from a powerboat can easily tip you over from a good distance. Getting caught in someone's fishing line is not fun for you or the angler. As a general rule, it is best to paddle close enough to the shore that motor and sail boats are a good distance away but far enough from the shore that you don't disturb the wildlife or those fishing or enjoying the sunset.