Flatwater kayaking on the Delaware River

This kayaker videotaped his adventure on the Delaware River. It was the typical casual flatwater paddle until the sudden mishap. The ending of the video is sort of funny and certainly put the paddlers video camera to the waterproof test, but it also shows how easily trouble can find us even on basic recreational paddle trips.

One of the reasons I chose paddling as a hobby might be the variety of experience offered in the sport, and of course, it helps to reside within one of the top paddling regions in the Mid-Atlantic. I can be paddling whitewater on the Youghiogheny River in Western Pennsylvania on a Saturday afternoon and then find myself on a flatwater kayak paddle on Locust Lake State Park the very next day. From my location in Allentown, Pennsylvania I have choices of paddling coastal, creek, river, class 2-3 whitewater or flatwater lake pretty much throughout the year, and it’s all within a two to three hour drive of my house. And Maryland is my most recent discovery for great paddling and most of that paddling is within the three hour driving radius of my home.  

Top Maryland Paddling Trips

 Maryland offers paddling opportunity ranging from flatwater excursions for novice paddlers, to guided birdwatching, historical and cultural adventures along intricate waterways.

1. I love paddling the Antietam Creek in Sharpsburg, Maryland. You’ll appreciate Antietam Creek’s combination of American history, scenery and tricky current that will certainly test your class 1 paddling skills if you approach it with a cavalier attitude.
2. Assateague State Park is located on Maryland’s Assateague Island, a barrier island bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by Sinepuxent Bay. The island’s coast offers paddlers the chance to explore secluded coves by canoe or kayak. The marsh areas have a variety of wildlife, including deer, waterfowl and feral horses. And there is plenty of camping opportunity at Assateague.
3. Gunpowder Falls State Park offers paddling opportunity ranging from Class l to lll.  The upper river between Falls Road to the take-out at York Road is comprised of  fun riffles and fast flat water but moderate paddling skills are required to navigate the fallen trees that can act as a strainer on the narrow stream.
4. Janes Island State Park Water Trail offers 30 miles of paddle trails for either a full day or overnight paddling experience. Within the 2,900 acre Chesapeake Bay natural paradise you’ll experience solitude and excellent scenery in the shallow bays and marshes. Most of the trails are protected from wind and current, providing perfect relaxed nature viewing flatwater paddling. If you are searching for a tranquil paradise to paddle then Janes Island is worth checking out.

Afraid of Your Kayak? Take a Whitewater Kayaking Class!
Whitewater kayaking is a very exciting sport but if you’re one of those paddlers who’s been reluctant to take up the sport of whitewater because of the dangers involved, I urge you to put your fears behind you and try it.

Possibly the greatest fear of most beginner whitewater kayakers is the fear of being trapped upside down in your kayak. To many paddlers this fear can be so overwhelming that it could interfere with your enjoyment of the sport. And it is a legitimate fear. Although rare, there are cases where a wet exit might have prevented drowning. But there is hope for you, and the easiest way to conquer your fear of being trapped upside down underwater wedged inside that cockpit is by taking a whitewater kayaking class.

Taking a kayaking class with knowledgable, confident instructors will increase your confidence in only the first few hours. The first thing you’ll probably learn in a basic whitewater kayaking class is the ever important wet exit. Learning the wet exit can be a stomach churning experience if your anxiety is high - like mine was. In my case I had been canoeing for about twenty years and had been tour kayaking for about five years, but having never actually done a wet exit I was petrified of being rolled in a rapid or current. But once you learn the proper way to wet exit you’ll be surprised at how easy it really is. Once you pop that skirt you simply take you kayak off just like taking off your pants. The water lubes your body and gravity does most of the work. To get the confidence you need you’ll have to practice wet exits until it’s second nature. You know it’s second nature when you can relax underwater for a few seconds before executing your exit. You’ll want to get to the stage where you can attempt a roll several times with confidence that you can wet exit any time you want.     

Once you master that wet exit your paddling experience will change dramatically. Ferrying across fast current and doing peel outs will be much more fun. And you’ll find that as your skill level and confidence increased so will your willingness to increase the level of challenge and risk.  

Check out the Northeastern PA Kayak School near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. They give a two day course covering all the basics, and the instructors are great. You’ll know how to do a wet exit, bracing and maybe even how to roll and surf waves by the end of the course.