Sea Kayaking at the Apostle Islands
Sea kayaking is a really fun way to see the sea caves at the Apostle Islands or to explore almost any lake or waterway in Wisconsin. But safety comes first, and safety on the water involves knowing and interpreting marine conditions. Having the right equipment and learning how to use them are important things to learn before you go out on the water. Here’s a basic list of safety tips and equipment to have before you go out.

• Check the water and weather conditions for the area. Winds can change temperatures and conditions very quickly, so it’s best to know what to expect from Mother Nature.

• Have the right chart and compass for navigation. Charts not only tell you where you are paddling, but some also tell you how strong the currents are and which direction they move. Having a compass is important in case it gets foggy or dark before you reach shore. It can get hard to see landmarks and a compass helps you navigate when it’s hard to see.

• Stay with your group. Always kayak with at least one other person, and stay within shouting distance of each other.

• Know how to perform a wet-exit and to assist in the rescue of another person. If you should tip over, you should know how to get out of your kayak’s skirt. It’s not a hard thing to learn, but very scary to do in a real emergency situation, so it’s best to really be comfortable doing one of these just in case.

• Let someone know where you’re paddling. Always tell someone where you’re going and about when you expect to be back.
Here’s a list of the basic equipment you should have in your kayak.

• A life jacket, a wetsuit, and a sprayskirt are the best clothes to wear in a kayak.

• General kayak equipment includes: a pump or bailer (to get water out of the kayak), a sponge, your paddle and paddle leash, a whistle, one spare paddle per group, and a buoyant heaving line.

• For navigation you should have a compass and charts for the area in watertight containers in an easy to read place.

• For extra safety keep a towline, duct tape, a first aid kit, waterproof matches, foil survival blanket, a whistle, and a kayak repair kit. You might want to include flares and a weather radio.

• Other things to keep on hand in case of changes in weather include: rain gear, a hat or cap, waterproof boots (or wetsuit booties), quick drying pants or shorts, sunscreen, sunglasses, flashlight and extra batteries, paper, and paddling gloves.

• Always keep enough water for each person in the group. The right amount is about three liters per person per day. It’s very easy to get dehydrated and not notice it, so always keep water on hand.
Remember, kayaking can be very beautiful, rewarding, and fun, but not if you aren’t careful.