A local kayak enthusiast flirts with the mistress that is the Eau Claire River,
near downtown Eau Claire.

Jonesing to hop into a kayak and splash into a Chippewa Valley river ... for the very first time? Sweet. Here's a list of tips to help the beginner kayaker avoid some common mistakes ...

1. Wear lots of sunscreen and always wear a hat. It's not just for the looks – that hat will protect you from the vicious sun hovering over your head all day. Just because you’re surrounded by water doesn’t mean you won’t overheat, and in many cases you will without a supply of freshwater on hand.

2. Try to go kayaking with a friend whenever possible. When you make mistakes your partner will hopefully be there to save your butt.

3. Join a local kayaking club! There’s nothing as helpful to the beginner (besides a personal trainer) than simply joining a local group of kayakers and learning from the experience of others.

4. Sit up straight! Even though your mom may or may not keep telling you this,  your kayaking instructor will. In a kayak you have less control when you are leaning back too far which is no good when you’re paddling for dear life.

5. Stick to “flatwater”, or unmoving water, before moving on to anything too extreme like a fast river. Some great places for practice are placid lakes or large ponds.  

Source: Rodale.com

Ready to grab some gear or join a club? You can find a list of local kayak and canoe resources, as well as  retail locations over in Volume One's Hot Spots guide.