Safety Tips

Securing canoe on vehicle using proper straps.  Saddles come in handy on windy days.  Remember to unload the small items (iako and ama) before the canoe, that way upon placing the canoe on the ground for rigging, you will have the iako and ama there to rig.  If it is windy and you walk away from your canoe to get the small items, the wind may roll the canoe and damage it.  It is also advisable to have two people loading or unloading a canoe on a windy day with high gusts.  Many canoes have blow off racks or rolled on the ground. 

It is also a good habit to wash and put away the small items first (iako, seat, paddle, camelpak, ama) before washing and putting away the canoe.  You may forget one or two of the smaller items, but you won't forget your canoe. 

Disabled canoe due to broken cable, ama, iako...Cell phone w/waterproof bag for emergency call or to communicate with other paddlers in the group, innertube tire strips to secure rudder in case cable breaks or secure broken iako, cord to tie broken cable to foot paddle or rudder control bracket, extra paddle in case paddle breaks, small swim fins (Zoomers) to aid in rescue or (hopefully this never happens), swim to shore with or without your disabled canoe.

Check, Double Check, Triple Check

Check the condition of your equipment frequently, fraying of cables, hull damage, plugs. Make sure all is intact before entering the water. If you happen to huli (flip over), upon uprighting the canoe, double check the plugs to make sure they are securely in place before climbing on and continuing your paddle, especially with plugs on the rear portion of the canoe or ama because they are closer to the waterline.

Leash Safety

Always wear a leash that is connected to the canoe.  If you fall off the canoe, the leash will keep the canoe from drifting away from you, the stronger the wind, the faster the drift.  If you do have to swim for your canoe, toss your paddle, in the direction you want to swim.  Catch up with your paddle, and toss it again.  It is very difficult to swim with paddle in hand.  Remember, if the canoe is upright and the wind is blowing, you probably will not be able to swim fast enough to catch your canoe, so always wear a leash and always wear it the same way, so you can unleash quickly even with your eyes closed.  When you are in the water and have to unleash, you will have to do it by feel.

Remember to always have a good, secure grip on the canoe if you have to unleash after a huli to get to the opposite side.  Do not unleash and swim around the canoe, you may lose your hold of the canoe.  Swim under the canoe while holding the foot well to get between the ama and canoe, so you can climb back on. If you can climb back on from the right side without unleashing, that would be the preferred and quicker method.

Wind Safety

Observe the wind direction when trying to upright the canoe. It is easier to lift the ama with the wind as compared to against the wind. If you have to turn the canoe around, so the ama is on the windward side, it is easiest done from the back iako. As you swim clockwise, the front portion of the canoe, which has the most volume, will swing around easier with the wind. Using the back iako, lift the ama over and down holding the hull with the other hand. Remember to keep a good grip on your canoe, more so if you had to unleashed to turn the canoe.

Know When to Say When

Know your limits:  Work your way up to rougher conditions.  Gain confidence as you get better.  Taking on too much, too soon may set you back mentally.  Everyone has different levels of comfort when it comes to the ocean and its different conditions  When starting out, paddle with others who have some experience.

To Leash or to Unleash

To leash or to unleash while surfing on your one-man or being faced with a good size wave heading towards you.  Because I have personally been dragged underwater by my canoe being pulled by a wave after wiping out on more than one occasion, I will usually unleash while surfing waves at

Waikiki

.  I would rather swim for my canoe than stretch my leash (have to buy another because it doesn't coil back like before) or damage my canoe due to the stress of dragging me underwater.  It takes a while for your body weight to pull the canoe out of the whitewater, in the meantime, all you can think of is AIR.  If caught in that situation and you still have your paddle in your hands, turn the forward part of the blade up and it will take you up to the surface immediately.  A friend once told me that he used his hands in the same situation, and it brought him to the surface also, though probably slower than the paddle since the paddle has ! a bigger surface.  Of course, surfing without a leash on depends on where you are surfing.  You surely don't want your canoe to be taken into the exposed reefs or rocks on shore.  Also remember that the bottom has sharp reef and sea urchins that can cause you a lot of pain.  When swimming, don't stand up unless you are wearing reef walkers and keep your legs close to the surface when kicking.  This is one of the few situations where not wearing your leash could be considered.  The wind and environment (wave size, other paddlers present) should always be considered in your decision.