Paddle With a PFD

Light Paddling
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

Some sad paddling news came in from Texas this week. Note: the Dripping Springs mentioned in the article is not the same Dripping Springs Lake area that I paddle in often here in Oklahoma.

Austin, TX -- A Dripping Springs man was still missing and presumed dead Tuesday night after disappearing on a kayaking trip in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.

Stephen Stafford, 19, was on a fishing trip with a co-worker when they decided to go kayak fishing early Sunday morning. Both kayaks were capsized by waves, and although Stafford's co-worker was found, the Coast Guard said Stafford got lost in the waves while yelling for help.

Stafford was not wearing a life jacket, something his mother and girlfriend want others to think about twice. Water safety is something everyone should take seriously. -- KXAN.com.

Shop Online for a Paddller's PFD

Speaking of Kayak safety, Yakker dropped a great comment on my recent posting about picking a out a kayak for Oklahoma paddling. Yakker mentioned another very important thing to consider: capacity. Every kayak is designed for paddlers of a certain weight range. if you are old and a bit heavy, like myself, don't assume that any kayak will effectively bear your weight. Whitewater kayaks are often for paddlers under two hundred pounds, so check the specs for Paddler Capacity before buying any kayak.

Then get yourself a PFD in a color that nicely accents your boat. Buy a kayak, don't buy The Farm!


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