Touring Kayak Safety
Touring kayak safety doesnt have to be hard, and following a few commonsense guidelines will help keep you safe as youre learning kayaking skills.
- Kayak Touring
- Safety
Expert Advice: Learn Articles, Tips & How-To’s
Search our extensive collection of how-to articles and videos to help you safely raft, kayak, SUP, camp, fish and care for your NRS gear and apparel.
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How Much Risk Should Boaters Take?
Life is about balancing risk and reward, and so is boating.
- Rafting
- Whitewater Kayaking
- Kayak Touring
- Stand-Up Paddling
- Safety
Winter Rolling Tune-Up
Your local swimming pool is a great place for perfecting your kayak roll. Team NRS kayaker Devon Barker-Hicks gives valuable tips for getting it dialed in.
- Whitewater Kayaking
- Kayak Touring
- Safety
How to Choose the Right Life Jacket for Kayaking
The life jacket is your most important on-the-water safety tool. Choose one that fits well and will be comfortable enough to always wear.
- How To
- Safety
- Gear
How to Wet Exit a Kayak
This video will show how to wet exit a kayak, helping you to get out smoothly and safely, while hanging on to your paddle and the boat.
- Whitewater Kayaking
- Kayak Touring
- Safety
Rescue Film Series: Ep. 8: Boat Extractions
This video demonstrates how to retrieve a pinned kayak or canoe using methods ranging from pushing and pulling to setting up a mechanical advantage system.
- Safety
- Rescue
How to Dress for Kayaking
Ken Whiting shares how to dress for kayaking and covers the base layers, insulating layers and outerwear pieces you need to safely extend your paddling season.
- How To
- Whitewater Kayaking
- Kayak Touring
- Safety
How to Choose the Right Life Jacket
Learn about the types of life jackets most commonly worn by boaters so you can choose the right life jacket for your paddling needs.
- How To
- Safety
- Gear
Rescue Film Series: Ep. 7: Live Bait Rescue
This video shows several different live bait techniques and describes the best ways to do them safely
- Safety
- Rescue
SUP Board Flip Rescue with Nikki Gregg
This SUP Board flip rescue technique allows you to rescue an unconscious, unresponsive or physically compromised victim using your SUP as an aid.
- How To
- Stand-Up Paddling
- Safety
How to Fit an Adjustable Bungee Sprayskirt
This video gives tips on how fit an adjustable bungee sprayskirt for a snug fit, while still allowing the skirt to be removed safely in a wet exit.
- How To
- Kayak Touring
- Gear
Winter Paddling at its Warmest
Team NRS kayaker Devon Barker-Hicks gives gear recommendations for staying warm while paddling in icy waters.
- Rafting
- Whitewater Kayaking
- Kayak Touring
- Safety
Four Golden Rules of Stand Up Paddling
Watch to learn the four Golden Rules of SUP: good paddle technique, proper body position, use of core muscles and efficient SUP board propulsion.
- Stand-Up Paddling
- Safety
How To Stretch a Sprayskirt
In this video, we show you how to stretch a sprayskirt to prevent water leakage and implosion.
- How To
- Whitewater Kayaking
- Kayak Touring
- Gear
Rescue Film Series: Ep. 6: The Rescue Harness
This video shows you how to safely and effectively use the quick-release rescue harness on your life jacket.
- Safety
- Rescue
Rescue Film Series: Ep. 5: Victim Contact Techniques
This video covers victim contact techniques for safely paddling, swimming and wading out to the victim
- Safety
- Rescue
How to Install D-Rings and Footcups
NRS Repairs shows you the best ways to install D-rings and footcups and permanently glue them to Hypalon-, PVC- and urethane-coated materials
- How To
- Repair
- Rafting
- Gear
Inflatable Repair Adhesives Guide
This video helps you understand when to use such glues as Clifton Hypalon, Shore, Stabond, Clifton Urethane, Vynabond and G/flex Epoxy.
- Repair
- Gear
Rescue Film Series: Ep. 4: Throw Bag Techniques
This video covers throw bag techniques including throwing, safely bringing in the swimmer, bracing, and how to catch and hold the rope if you're the swimmer.
- Safety
- Rescue
Rescue Film Series: Ep. 3: Swiftwater Swimming
Swimming efficiently in whitewater is essential for self-rescue, rescuing others and building your kayaking, rafting and canoeing confidence.
- Whitewater Kayaking
- Safety
- Rescue
Basic Gear for Kayak Fishing Safety
NRS ambassador Isaac Miller discusses the equipment and apparel that can improve our level of comfort and kayak fishing safety.
- Safety
- Fishing
How to Repair Waterproof Fabric
Learn how to repair waterproof fabric with some simple techniques for applying patches using Aquaseal or Seam Grip, two user-friendly adhesives.
- How To
- Repair
- Apparel
- Gear
Rescue for River Runners: Ep. 2: Team Strategy
Smart teamwork and preparedness make everyone safer on the river with the swiftwater rescue playbook.
- Safety
- Rescue
Rescue for River Runners: Ep. 1: Getting Started
Learn what gear you need to have with you, from your rescue PFD, protective apparel, throw bags, rescue hardware to first aid kit and communication devices.
- Safety
- Rescue
How to Safely Get In and Out of Your Kayak
Getting in and out of your kayak can be tricky, especially for beginners, but there are easy techniques to safely launch and land your boat.
- How To
- Kayak Touring
Kayaking for Fitness
If youre looking for a great upper-body workout, kayaking for fitness cant be beat.
- Kayak Touring
- Yoga & Fitness
How to Patch an Inflatable SUP Board
How to repair a tear or hole in inflatable SUP board made of PVC or urethane-coated material.
- How To
- Repair
- Stand-Up Paddling
- Gear
How to Repair Neoprene
In this video, we show how to repair neoprene when it gets damaged. Don't throw that gear away; fix it!
- How To
- Repair
- Apparel
How to Replace a Raft Valve
Here we show you how to replace a raft valve, using a doughnut patch to cover the incisions you make to remove the valves inner piece.
- How To
- Repair
- Gear
How to Fit a Life Jacket
In this video we show you how to fit a life jacket and tighten the straps to ensure it won't ride up when youre in the water.
- How To
- Safety
- Gear
Fall Boating Safety
Fall on the water means thinner daylight, colder water and fast-changing weather. Learn key safety steps—layering gear, wearing your PFD, let someone know your plan—and enjoy boating with fewer risks.
- Rafting
- Whitewater Kayaking
- Kayak Touring
- Safety
How to Clean and Deodorize Neoprene Wetshoes
This video shows how to clean and dry water shoes to head off odor. And if stinky shoes happen, we show how to eliminate it.
- How To
- Apparel
- Gear
Kayaking Fundamentals: Paddle a Tandem Kayak
Two people can paddle a tandem kayak while enjoying time together. This video gives great tips on how to make paddling the tandem easy and fun.
- How To
- Kayak Touring
Kayaking Fundamentals: Basic Kayak Maintenance
Kayaks are simple machines, but some basic kayak maintenance will make yours last longer. Ken Whiting gives some maintenance tips to take care of your kayak.
- How To
- Kayak Touring
How to Fold an Inflatable Boat for Storage
Learn the tips and techniques to minimize stress on seams and materials by folding an inflatable boat for storage correctly.
- How To
- Rafting
- Kayak Touring
- Gear
How to Hand Roll a Kayak Without a Paddle
Learn how to execute the hand-roll in a kayak—a technique for when you lose your paddle or want a challenge. Instructor Ken Whiting walks through setup, catch, recovery and key body positions.
- How To
- Whitewater Kayaking
- Kayak Touring
NRS Gift Card: Always Fits, Always Wanted
