Michigan Sea Grant’s kayak safety training workshops and online resources are meeting needs for paddlers around the state — and prompted at least one paddler to make a potentially life-saving switch.
Paddlesports are a rapidly growing recreational activity in Michigan. However, as the use of canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards increases, safety incidents are also rising. The U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency services regularly rescue kayakers in distress because of rough water, poorly chosen kayak styles, cold temperatures, and even drowning. Many reports note that paddlers were not wearing life jackets.
In 2024, several Michigan Sea Grant Extension educators obtained certification as American Canoe Association Level 1 kayak safety instructors. When weather permits, they now offer occasional kayak safety training programs around Michigan to help paddlers identify river hazards, adopt key safety behaviors, and practice flipping and re-entering a tipped kayak.
In post-training surveys, participants have strongly agreed that they now feel prepared to make decisions about whether to go out kayaking based on weather, wind, and other conditions. They also report feeling more comfortable rescuing themselves or someone in their group after the training. Multiple participants said they had practiced and shared lessons learned during the training, such as adding reflective stickers to their kayaks for added visibility.
One participant said that, “This training may have saved my life.” A solo paddler, the participant hadn’t previously realized that her style of kayak was notoriously vulnerable to tipping and filling with water. Since the training, she said, “I bought a different style of kayak that keeps me safer when paddling alone. In addition to increasing my own personal safety when I’m on the water, I tell all of my paddler friends about kayak safety considerations.”
In addition to the training workshops, Michigan Sea Grant’s “Playing Safely in the Water” webpage also offers resources for paddlers looking to plan safe, fun trips into Michigan’s lakes and rivers with key skills such as:
- Ensuring the type of kayak is suitable for the location and conditions
- Recognizing common river features like “strainers” and “sweepers”
- Checking recent rainfall and stream flow conditions to avoid unexpected hazards
- Providing a float plan to someone who is staying on shore
