4-H 365.04 Natural Resources OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

PROJECT IDEA STARTER Paddle Water Sports By Ashley Hughey, County Educator, 4-H Youth Development and American Association Instructor; Reviewed by Andrew Hudak, Executive Director, Camp Whitewood

Paddle water sports have increased in popularity over the years. While is what started the paddle sports industry, and stand-up paddleboarding have grown in popularity recently. is an enjoyable sport for all ages and a wonderful way to experience the outdoors. To stay safe on the water, study some basics about water safety, equipment, and techniques. Before you know it, you will be planning and enjoying your own paddling adventure!

Safety is the #1 priority. howtochoosetherightlifejacket_brochure.pdf and Paddling can be dangerous, watching this brief video, “Choosing the Best Life but having the proper gear Jacket” at youtube.com/watch?v=6tLZIsCB5aA. can save a life! Wearing a The next step to being safe is selecting appropriate life jacket (also known as a clothing. Dressing for the weather and the water personal flotation device or temperature is extremely important, especially in PFD) is the single most early spring or late fall when temperatures are lower. important way to protect Layers are the best defense. Picking the correct yourself. In Ohio, it is layers is easy if you follow the 3 W’s. Start with a required by law to have a wicking layer, the one closest to the skin, made of PFD for each person on the A life jacket is essential for any polyester or polypropylene. On top of the wicking , including paddle craft. boating trip. Finding layer is the warmth layer, which should include fabrics More than 430 drownings the right fit is crucial to like wool or synthetic fleece. The last layer, called occurred nationwide in saving your life. the weather layer, goes on the outside and should 2019. Individuals not be waterproof. A good rule of thumb is to wear a wet wearing a life jacket accounted for more than 80% of suit and the proper layering if the combined air and these deaths. Be sure to always wear your life jacket water temperatures are below 120 degrees. In colder when on the water. temperatures, cotton is rotten! Cotton clothing does Learn how to choose the right life jacket for not hold your body heat and can lead to hypothermia. you by reading “How to Choose the Right The final safety check is to make sure weather Life Jacket” at uscgboating.org/images/ conditions are safe for paddling using your favorite

PLAN YOUR PROJECT Use this idea starter AND publication 4-H 365 Self-Determined Project Guide as the starting place for your 4-H self-determined project. TheSelf-Determined Project Guide is available from your county OSU Extension office or on the Web atohio4h.org/selfdetermined . You may choose to do a little or a lot depending on your level of interest. Be sure to register your project with your county OSU Extension office. – 2 –

Know the water! Beginners and first-time paddlers should always practice first on flat inland lakes or ponds. Rivers sometimes have strainers, fast moving waters, and low-head dams, and can be very dangerous. Higher rain levels can make rivers even more hazardous.

Low-head dams look deceptively calm. The water under this small waterfall turns in a strong, circular motion, making it very difficult for someone to escape. weather app. Even if the weather up paddleboards (sometimes AREAS OF INTEREST AND is warm and sunny, a windy day abbreviated SUP). THINGS TO DO can be a challenge on the water. Taking this project can get you Every self-determined 4-H project Various weather conditions can started on your paddling has various areas of interest. create or affect waves on a pond adventures. We also encourage Each area offers specific things or lake. Wind and waves make you you to take a course with trained members can address during more susceptible to tipping your instructors who teach these skills their project adventures. Using boat over and falling in the water. and can supervise your practice. the 4-H 365 Self-Determined Anyone planning on paddling This allows you to learn advanced Project Guide, identify at least should assess the weather, wind, skills, including how to perform a three areas of interest with at least and water before venturing out. self-rescue if your boat capsizes three activities per area to explore. After you know about paddling (flips over). Take your ideas from the list below or make up your own. safety, practice your paddling Ohio has many waterways to skills. Paddling can be paddle. And, lots of parks have Know About Safety—Required overwhelming, so no matter what access to boating equipment, if ☐ Go online to learn the type of paddle you will be using, you need it. Check out your local importance of having a float practice these skills on land first. or state parks for more information plan and paddling in groups. Each technique is different, but and start paddling to explore the Explain what you found to you can use your paddling skills outdoors on the water! on , , and stand- your club or group and why you should always make a float plan. ☐ Find out why float plans are important and then make a form to use whenever you go paddling. For some ideas, go to ohiodnr.gov and search for “File a Float Plan.” ☐ Explain the importance of the 120 degrees rule and what Practicing your paddling skills on land first builds confidence. clothing you should wear – 3 –

based on the weather and ☐ Learn about the advantages water temperatures. Go to and disadvantages of different ohiodnr.gov and search for boat materials such as plastic, “120 degrees.” Write down a wood, fiberglass, aluminum, situation of when you would carbon fiber, and others. Make need to use this rule. Include a list a list of pros and cons the water and air temperatures for each boat material you and other weather conditions. research. Talk through your mock ☐ Go online to help you make a situation with your project list of supplies and equipment helper. needed for a paddling outing. ☐ Ask an experienced paddler A life jacket should be at the or look online to learn the top of your list! Don’t forget importance of checking the other basics. wind, weather, and water before getting on the water. Paddles and Strokes Share what you learn with your ☐ Research online to find three project helper. Your Boat and Equipment different types of paddles for ☐ Make a list of all the safety ☐ Research online to find the water sports . Make a equipment you should have differences between a canoe, list of tips about how to pick when paddling and how to use a , and a stand-up the correct size of each one each item. paddleboard. Make a chart for yourself. Share what you showing the differences. learned with your club or group. ☐ Do a demonstration for your Include the hull, rocker(s), club or group about selecting a ☐ Ask an experienced paddler length, and any other important properly fitted life jacket. or look online to learn how to features. Review the two resources on perform and when to use these page 1. Explain why it is ☐ Draw a picture of your boat or strokes and skills: important to wear a life jacket find a picture of it online. Label • Forward its parts. at all times while on the water. • Reverse • Forward sweep • Reverse sweep • Draw strokes (in-water and out-of-water recovery) • Rudder • “J” or “L” stroke, for canoe only • How to stop while paddling using a variety of these combined strokes ☐ Interview family members or friends who are experienced paddlers. Can they share tips? Even better, paddle with them to practice the strokes and The Ohio State University State Ohio The skills listed above. Kayaks come in different varieties such as sit-on-top, touring, recreational, sea, and whitewater kayaks. – 4 –

☐ Register and attend an American Canoe Association’s “Introduction to Paddling” course in your area. This course will give you the practice and skills needed, including self-rescues.

Prepare for Your Trip ☐ Go online and find some basic stretches you should do before you start paddling. Show your project helper what you learned. ☐ Work with an adult who has experience in transporting and hauling a boat, and learn the steps, equipment, and straps needed to haul safely. RESOURCES ☐ Practice self-rescues using ACA American Canoe Association, standards with a family member americancanoe.org or friend. Ohio Department of Natural Canoe: youtube.com/ Resources, Division of Ohio watch?v=mg7T8nyV17Y State Parks and Watercraft &feature=youtu.be Boat Operating Laws, ohiodnr. Sit-on-top kayak: youtube.com/ gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/ watch?v=0MKR__0X4jk rules-and-regulations/rules- Sit-in kayak: youtube.com/ and-regulations-by-division/ watch?v=O_-a5ngnRew state-parks-and-watercraft/ SUP: youtube.com/watch?v=P boating-rules/ohio-operating-laws iQlJwb73dc&list=PL1whape9 Statistics for Outdoor Gts06-RsZxUG1S6NwzSs807 Recreation, outdoorindustry. sI&index=1 org/resource/2019-outdoor- ☐ Find an online map of the participation-report water you plan to paddle and print a few copies. Bring them with your other supplies. Unless otherwise noted, all images Review and share your copies are from iStockphoto.com by Getty with those who are paddling Images. with you.

ohio4h.org/selfdetermined

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