PADDLING:
A Guide to Getting Started

So, you've seen some folks kayaking on the local lakes and rivers; you've read a few articles or saw kayaking and canoeing on TV and now you're interested in giving it a try. Wonderful!

Here are a few suggestions on how to get started with little effort and no investment.

Call local parks and recreation or outfitters and enroll for an half day guided "sampler" or tour.
Most paddling schools, instructional programs and outfitters offer an easy outing for first-time paddlers. Go out on the water for a few hours. You'll get a feel for paddling. You'll experience the joy of gliding across the water effortlessly. You'll meet and chat with other folks seeking the same expiences. Your host will adjust and fit your gear, provide you with a boat, paddle, life jacket, minimal instruction, an easy and safe route and answer your questions.

Take a lesson.
This is great fun! Your local paddling school, instructional program, outfitter, parks and recreation teaches the basics of paddling (both canoe and kayaking), how to get into and out of a kayak, how to use a paddle efficiently, how to steer and navigate and how to rescue yourself and others. You'll get good and wet, meet another group of fine people, have a fun frolic on (and in) the water. Once you've completed "basic training", you'll be able to renta a kayak/canoe and start going out on Friendship Paddles and easy social paddles with other local paddlers.

Go on easy Friendship Paddles.
Check-out a statewide paddlers calendar of events, call your local retailer, outfitter or paddling club for dates and locations of fun social paddles and grow stronger and more confident. Start exchanging names, phone numbers and email addresses to build a list of boating buddies.

Contact Paddling Clubs
Here are some Arizona Paddling networks for you to check out:

Arizona Dragon Boaters

Arizona Outrigger Canoe Club

ASU Dry Wash Kayak Club

AZ Monsoon Warriors

Central Arizona Paddlers Club

Desert Paddlers

Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association

Northern Arizona Paddlers

Paddle Arizona

Prescott Paddlers Club of America

Rio Salada Rowing Club

Southern AZ Paddlers Club

Southwest Outdoors Club

Tucson Pagan Paddlers

Paddling Clubs organize a variety of events -  Paddling Club Meetings, Social and Friendship Paddles, Killer Training Work-outs, Paddlers Garage & Swap Meets, Full Moon Floats, Rolling Clinics,   Weekend Paddling Trips, Spontaneous Paddles...there's something for everybody! 

Join a Paddlers Club & Network!
You'll find a good resource for advice, meet many friends, learn other kayaking tips, tricks and techniques from experienced paddlers.

Go on a trip
Nothing beats the fun of a kayak or canoe adventure to an exotic paddling destination. Local and statewide paddling clubs, outfitters, retailers and paddling schools can help you land on a secluded Baja beach where you can frolic with dolphins off the shore of La Paz,
camp in a quiet cove at Lake Powell or paddle with Orcas in British Columbia.

Get to know your local kayaking & canoeing instructors, rentals, outfitters and retailers
They're a good source of information for GREAT places to paddle. Many of them are experienced paddlers with local information about Arizona waterways.

Check out Statewide Paddlesport Rentals & Outfitters.

Kayaking and canoeing is a friendly, community-minded sport. The folks that have started business in paddlesports have done so because they love to paddle and share their love their backyard waterways with others. Those of us in the Arizona Paddling Community "welcome you" and hope that you find as much enjoyment on the water as we have.

Join the fun...come paddle with us!

Canyons & Coastlines Paddlesport Resource
Formally Canyons & Coastlines Kayak School