Getting Started - Kayaking
By Todd Callaghan, CZM

If you don’t have your own kayak, you can rent kayaks from a number of outfitters. For an extensive list, go to www.gopaddle.com and click on the link for Massachusetts. Many of these outfitters offer lessons and tours and will allow you to “demo” their fleet of boats onsite if you are interested in buying.

Once you’ve rented a boat or if you have your own, the Boston Sea Kayak Club lists many of the small craft launch areas in the Boston region at www.bskc.org/ putins.htm. You can also use CZM’s Coast Guide (www.mass.gov/czm/coastguide/index.htm) or CZM’s Online Locator of Public Access Sites (www.mass.gov/czm/access/products/access_locator.htm) to help plan your trip. The Boston Harbor Islands Park has a website with useful information about what islands are accessible at www.bostonislands.com.

Please remember to never leave the beach without a personal flotation device (PFD or life preserver)! There are a number of other pieces of safety equipment you should have if paddling out into the ocean, including a whistle, chart, compass, VHF radio, paddle float, extra paddle, and pump. You should also know and practice rescue techniques in case you or your partner fall out of the kayak. And lastly, know the marine forecast for your area (www.erh.noaa.gov).

The most successful and safest ocean kayak trips result from a good deal of planning. The ocean is a highly dynamic environment that is to be respected and, at times, feared. That said, ocean kayaking can be safe and exciting form of recreation with the appropriate planning, gear, and respect.