David Park knows a thing or two about kayaking. He’s the author of Kayaking in and Around the Norwalk Islands, and an advocate of safe paddling.
“Unfortunately, each year a few kayakers have used poor judgment resulting in a few kayaking mishaps, most of which have had happy endings,” he said.
On April 2, the USCG Auxiliary Base in Calf Pasture Beach Park will be host to free Paddlesport Safety Workshop.
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Last fall, Park initiated the idea of a "Kayak and Canoe Safety Awareness Week" supported by both Norwalk’s Mayor Richard A. Moccia and Wilton’s First Selectman William Brennan. That week ran May 23 through May 29.
While Park says that information for safe paddling has always been available, he thinks greater efforts need to be taken to alert the public that safety needs to come first.
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“I always have encouraged people to try kayaking with some knowledge before heading out,” said Park.
As part of the workshop, The American Canoe Association (ACA) and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have partnered to broaden outreach and education to the paddlesports community.
Paddlesports boating is one of the fastest growing recreation activities in the United States. In 2008, the Outdoor Industry Association reported that approximately 17.8 million people participated in paddlesports getting out on the water nearly 50,000 times daily.
A new classroom based training program. The Auxiliary Paddlesports America Course is available for paddlers to learn the basic knowledge needed to safely operate their vessels. The American Canoe Association and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will also offer a paddlecraft vessel safety check program. Experts will be on hand to examine safety gear and provide personalized paddlesports safety guidance.
