Safety:
- life jacket ALWAYS- drownings that could have been avoided by wearing a PFD happen every year in our local lakes
- don’t paddle alone, or at least make sure someone knows where you are going
- paddle in daylight
- check weather conditions before you go; beginners should avoid winds >10mph
- only you are responsible for your safety. It is difficult to predict the dangers that you may encounter out there.
Resources
- Weather/ UV/ AQI – I like using the Wunderground website or mobile app because you can select the weather stations that are closest to your destinations. It also provides information on wind, UV index and air quality index. http://www.wunderground.com
- Water quality-This website lists where there are active algae bloom advisories. Not all bodies of water can be tested or be tested frequently enough, of course, so use caution whenever you do see water that is murky, frothy, foamy. https://www.oregon.gov/OHA/PH/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/HarmfulAlgaeBlooms/Pages/index.aspx
- Air quality- wildfires are now a common worry during the late summer months. This website provides up-to-date information regarding fire activity.
- Water permit– it is required for any watercraft 10ft or longer. I have not been to any of the places where they check but I know they’re out there. It’s for a good cause.
Oregon Paddling 