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Repair
Your canoe or kayak is built to last. With proper care and maintenance, as described on the previous pages, your boat should give you and your family years of enjoyment.
Though our canoes and kayaks are built to withstand years of use and abuse, mishaps can occur and your boat may at some point become dam- aged and need repair. In the event of a problem, we recommend you contact your local dealer for the appropriate repair kit or parts. These same dealers can repair the boat for you or give you assistance in getting started in the right direction.
Remember that no kayak is com- pletely watertight. It is normal to take on a cup or two of water through rivets or hatches. However, if your kayak is taking on significant amounts of water, you may have a pin hole leak. Either locate the leak yourself (by filling the boat with water and observing leaks), or take it to your dealer for servicing. Contact us any time for assistance, and we’ll see to it you’re back on the water in no time!
Instruction
Before you set out, it is important to get good instruction. Check with your dealer or local club to find out about classes offered locally. You should look for a course that covers basic strokes, braces and rescue techniques. With any outdoor activity, it is also good to be familiar with first aid, especially CPR and treatment of hypothermia.
Place the blade in the water near your toes
How to Paddle A KAYAK The Paddle: Place your hands on the
paddle shaft a little further apart than shoulder width. As a guide, hold your arms out to the sides then bend them to 90 degrees at the elbow. This is about how far your hands should be from each other as you grasp the paddle. Remember you only want to hold the paddle, not choke it. Over grip can tire your arms.
You may notice some paddlers us- ing
The Paddler: Sit all the way back in the cockpit of your kayak. Careful adjustment will make your backrest a comfortable aid in maintaining proper body position.
Also adjust your foot braces before you leave the shore. To properly adjust foot braces on a
Some boats are equipped with thigh braces. For boats with easily adjusted