5 Tips For Colorado River Kayaking

By: Daniel Parrish

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Are you planning a nice kayaking trip along the Colorado River and need 5 tips for Colorado River kayaking? Well, here we're going to give you those tips. Make sure you take these tips seriously, as they can help prevent accidents.

Maintain a decent physical condition. Colorado River kayaking doesn't demand as much as ocean kayaking because you're probably not going to be fighting a lot of currents and waves. You'll still need to have somewhat good strength and endurance if you want to go Colorado River kayaking, however. You don't need to build ridiculous muscle mass for Colorado River kayaking; mostly you're going to be paddling leisurely and enjoying the sights.
Stay safe. Don't forget about obvious safety precautions. Always wear a life vest. This is especially important for children, as they might not be able to swim as well as you. Try not to kayak alone, as your partner might save your life if you encounter trouble. However, if kayaking alone is inevitable, make sure someone knows where you are at all times and give a return time. Also, don't mess around when kayaking. Any subtle movements could cause the kayak to tip over because a kayak is generally lightweight.
Be aware of your skills. If you are a good kayaker, then you probably could take on rapids and uneven waters along the Colorado River. However, don't do anything that might put yourself and other kayakers at risk. If you are a beginner kayaker, don't try to take on uneven waters and rapids. Once you become a better kayaker and you are more experienced with the Colorado River, feel free to take a few risks.
Make sure clear skies are up ahead. In other words, check the weather forecast. You can do this by watching the news, the weather channel or going to weather websites. You definitely don't want to be kayaking in the middle of a thunderstorm.
Have a plan in mind. Make sure you check a map of the Colorado River to develop some kind of plan. Make sure you're looking at a fairly recent map. Check for any possible rapids or waterfalls that you might want to avoid. Also, set a return time. Try not to go out kayaking without a plan, as that could lead to disaster.