Paddle Resources

Paddling Resources
(Any reference to a specific dealer is not an endorsement, but only a suggested source.)

Gear
A selection of links that help you decide what type of paddling gear you need.

A good place to start is the Atlantic Kayak Tours center. It has good suggestions that will give you a good introduction to sea kayaking before you visit one of the local kayak dealerships.
Spring time is a good time to take advantage of "demo days" or "paddle days" where many kayak manufacturers come to one location (usually sponsered by local retail dealers) so potential buyers can try out many kayaks. The largest in Rhode Island is sponsored by Kayak Centre of Rhode Island and is held usually in the first week May at the Wickford Town Beach. Events like this may have up to 100 different kayaks that you will be allowed to try out. They are all held in a safe location, so beginners will be safe. Other demo days throughout the year are usually listed on message boards of the local kayaking associations. Local recreational stores like EMS and REI also offer demo days.
Another way to start kayaking is to take beginner lessons from one of the local kayak dealerships. There are several in the Rhode Island and Southern New England area. Contact any of the dealerships for information. All your basic gear is supplied and each course usually will occupy a full day, costing in the $100+ range. An advantage of this method of learning about sea kayaking is that you will be able to try different kayaks out.
Purchase a good book or two on sea kayaking. There are many on the market. Check your local book store or go online. Several that offer good beginners advice are: "Sea Kayaking, A Manual for Long-Distance Touring" by John Dowd. While touring is the main theme, there is much good basic information that will help you learn about kayaks. Another Book is "Complete Sea Kayak Touring" by Jonathan Hanson. Again with a touring theme but good on basics. The Narragansett Chapter of the AMC also has a collection book and videos on kayaking that you can check out.
There is a large variation in the feel and handling of sea kayaks and the only way to find the one that you are comfortable with is to try them out. Once you have the basics of kayaking, ask others fellow paddlers if you can try their kayaks. Most are more than willing to allow you to try out their kayaks. This is probably the best way to find a kayak that you like because owners are usually quite knowledgable about their own kayak and how they handle in variable sea conditions. In practical terms, a trial paddle at a local beach or launch site will never inform you how a particular kayak will handle under all wind and sea conditions. Only after many paddles in your own kayak, after learning how to handle it well, will you get to know a kayak. If you find that you are not happy with your kayak, you can sell it and buy another one. If you buy a used kayak for a starter, the kayak will already have depreciated in value, and if it is still in good condition you can resell it for about what you paid for it. Then purchase another kayak based on your experience.

Safety Notes
Here are some rules and practices that are best followed to decrease your chances go being lost, injured, run over, drowned or picked apart by crabs.

Take a kayaking course as suggested above. Read the books that you purchased or borrowed and reread the sections on safety. Know and practice rescues, both self and assisted. Several times during the spring and summer, and after paddles, the AMC will practice rescues.
Again the Atlantic Kayak Tours has a good section on kayak safety that includes coldwater safety, how to dress, rescue skills, signaling and towing skills.
For a different method of self rescue and articles on hypothermia, heat exhaustion and high winds the Kayak Lake Mead site is interesting.
Be sure to read our equipment list to see required and suggested gear.
If you are considering a paddle late in the evening or night, read the section on required equipment.
Know the Federal and State Marine Laws. You don't have to be a lawyer, but just as you would not drive on the road without knowing the rules of the road, you should not paddle in the open waters with out knowing the marine rules. A good link on the subject has been compiled by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association.
For an excellent book on just kayak rescues, read "Sea Kayak Rescue" by Schumann and Shriner. It covers just rescue and recovery techniques with clear text and good photos. (2nd ed. due in April 2007) A more advance book on safety is "Sea Kayaking: Safety & Rescue" by John Lull. This book includes safety issues besides rescues, including navigation and really dangerous surf conditions.
Another huge safety guide is from the Frontenac Outfitters. While some of the list includes gear for touring and camping, the guide is a good list worthy of looking over.

Resources
Web sites that promote, support and provide information on kayaking (in addition to ours.)

RICKA, the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association is the largest group of paddlers in Rhode Island has a sea kayaking section. There are paddles almost every weekend during the Spring, Summer and Fall of varying difficulty.
The AMC has three guide books on sea kayaking; The ""Sea Kayaking along the New England Coast" 2nd ed, 2004. "Sea Kayaking Coastal Massachusetts: From Newburyport to Buzzards Bay" , 1st ed. 2000. "Sea Kayaking Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast : Coastal Paddling Adventures from New York to Chesapeake Bay" 1st ed, 1994
For day paddles specific to Cape Cod, look at "Paddling Cape Cod: A Coastal Explorer's Guide"
For day paddles in Narragansett Bay, look at “Day Paddling Narragansett Bay”
For day trips to Maine, you can study the ""Kayaking the Maine Coast: A Paddler's Guide to Day Trips from Kittery to Cobscook" which discusses kayaking in Maine and then goes on describing specific locations along the Maine Coast. The link photo shows the 1st ed. 2000, a 2nd ed has been published in 2006.
If you plan on doing a longer trip along the Maine coast, consider joining the Maine Island Trail Association. For a nominal ($45, 2006) you get a good guide book (updated every year) to the Islands along the coast and as a member you are allowed to use the islands. Many of the islands are available for camping.
For maps of coastal areas, waterproof maps are the best for use in a kayak. Since you are not navigating in deep waters and not going great distances that might involve the full detail Nautical Charts, the Maptech waterproof charts series are adequate for planning and locating yourself on day paddles. Look at the index map from Maine to Cape Cod Bay and the index from Cape Cod to New York Harbor. Most marine stores carry the maps for their area.
The expert page of the Atlantic Kayak Tours has a complete range of topics.
See Kayaks is a directory of sea kayaking activities. It has categories for Business, Clubs and associations, Discussion Groups, Events, Publications, and Reference Resources.
The Sea Kayak Forum is a place for discussion on technique, kayaks, phototography, camping, and kayak building.
Kayak Online is a site that maintains many lists of companies, and their web sites, that make or sell kayaks and kayak related gear.

Retail Sales
Stores in Rhode Island, and nearby Massachusetts, that sell kayaks, canoes and paddle gear. (Note there is no state sales tax on boats sold in RI.) Some stores offer discounts to various outdoor club members with proof of membership.

Recreational Equipment Inc. a national Co-op for all outdoor sport and activity gear. Carry a reasonable amount of kayak and paddle gear in their Cranston store in season. A larger selection can be ordered on line and delivered to the Cranston Store.
Eastern Mountain Sports, a large regional sports store has their kayaking office in Lincoln Woods State Park where rentals and lessons are offered. Their Rhode Island Stores are in Cranston and Middletown.
Canoe Passage Outfitters in Taunton, MA and Warren, RI offer sales of new and used kayaks. They also offer river trips, kayak and bike rentals, and canoe restoration.
The Kayak Centre in Wickford offers sales of new and used kayaks, instruction and tours, rentals and a large selection of kayak gear. They have direct access to Wickford Harbor via a small tidal branch.
OceanState Adventures I currently relocating. They specialize in kayaking and coastal exploration for the entire family.
Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures in Westport, MA has direct access to the East Branch of the Westport River at Head of the Westport. They offers sales of new and used kayaks, sponsor oversea kayak trips, and beginning through advanced training. They also offer extensive kayak repair.
QuakerLane Outfitters in N. Kingston has no web site, but located at 4019 Quaker Lane, North Kingstown RI 02852, 1-800-249-5400
Dick's Sporting Goods is a large "box" retailer specializing in sporting goods and equipment. They sell recreational kayaks, of which some are available in local stores. See the store locator to find local stores.
Blackstone Valley Outfitters is located in a new store next to the Blackstone River in Lincoln. They offer kayak sales, rentals, guided trips, paddling instruction and livery services. They have access to the Blackstone Valley Bike Path from the store and offer bike rentals. They also sell backpacking, camping, hiking, and fishing gear.