Captain Peg Phillips: ACA Level 2 Kayak Instructor
August is one of my favorite months to paddle. The water is warm, the days are long, and whether I’m slipping through a quiet marsh, exploring a mountain lake, or floating down a river with friends, there are few better ways to spend a day outdoors.
After decades of paddling all kinds of waterways, I’ve learned something important. The calmest looking water can surprise you, and the best paddlers aren’t necessarily the strongest. They’re the ones who respect the water and prepare for what they might encounter. Here are a few lessons I wish every paddler knew before launching.
Your Life Jacket Should Match Your Adventure
People often ask me what the “best” life jacket is. The answer is simple: the one designed for the type of paddling you’re doing and the one you’ll actually wear.
If I’m spending the day on a quiet lake or slow-moving river, I want a comfortable paddling life jacket with large arm openings that won’t interfere with my stroke. If I’m heading into moving water or whitewater, the gear changes. Whitewater paddlers often wear helmets and whitewater-specific life jackets designed to stay secure in fast-moving water. Guides and rescue-trained paddlers may also wear rescue PFDs with quick-release harnesses and carry throw bags.
No matter where you’re paddling, wear your U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket from the moment you launch. If you unexpectedly end up in the water, there usually isn’t time to put it on.
Dress for the Water, Not the Weather
This surprises a lot of new paddlers. A sunny 85-degree day doesn’t mean the water is warm. Mountain lakes, spring-fed rivers, and many northern waterways can stay dangerously cold well into summer. I paddled the Tuckasegee River in May last year, and I wore a Mustang Survival dry suit! Even in May, the moving water was quite cold.
Cold water can trigger cold water shock within seconds of an unexpected fall, making it difficult to breathe or swim. That’s why experienced paddlers pay as much attention to the water temperature as they do the air temperature. Choose clothing that matches the conditions, not just the forecast.
Summer Storms Can Change Everything
Living in coastal areas all my life, one lesson I’ve learned is to never underestimate an afternoon thunderstorm. A river that was calm when you launched can become fast-moving after heavy rain upstream. Rising water can carry logs, branches, and debris downstream. Water levels can rise quickly, and strong currents may create dangerous strainers, where water flows through fallen trees, but people and boats cannot.
That’s why I always check the weather before launching, but I also keep an eye on the sky while I’m on the water. If dark clouds begin building or thunder is in the distance, it’s time to head for shore. No paddle trip is worth trying to outrun a storm.
Every Waterway Has Its Own Personality
One of the things I love most about paddling is that every place is different. Before exploring somewhere new, spend a few minutes learning about it. Is there a dam downstream? Are there tides to consider? How strong is the current? Is the water level unusually high or low? Are there boat ramps with heavy powerboat traffic? Or, if you’re in Florida like I am – what is the alligator situation? A little homework before you launch can prevent a lot of problems later. I also like reading local paddling forums and trip reports before visiting a new area. Fellow paddlers often know about hazards, launch conditions, or changing water levels that aren’t obvious from a map.
Leave a Float Plan
This is something I do on every trip, even if I’m only planning to paddle for a couple of hours. I let someone know where I’m launching, where I expect to paddle, who is with me, and when I plan to return. I also share my location through my phone, so someone I trust can follow my progress if needed.
Hopefully they’ll never need that information, but if something unexpected happens, it can help rescuers find you much faster.
Carry a Few Essentials
You don’t need to overload your kayak or paddleboard, but there are a few things I never leave behind:
• A whistle attached to my life jacket
• Plenty of drinking water – more than you think you’ll need
• Sunscreen and sun-protective clothing
• A phone in a waterproof case
• A basic first aid kit
• A dry bag for extra clothing or snacks
• I carry a Personal Locator Beacon because I wander into places that are out of cell phone range.
If I’m paddling farther from home or in more challenging conditions, I’ll add gear that matches the environment.
Paddle Within Your Ability
Social media makes every adventure look easy. The reality is that experienced paddlers build their skills one trip at a time.
There’s no shame in turning around because the wind picked up, the current is stronger than expected, or conditions aren’t what you anticipated. Good judgment is one of the most valuable skills any paddler can develop. Don’t be embarrassed to say, “this is above my skill level.”
My Favorite Paddling Locations
• Rafting the Chattooga River Section 3 and 4; Bull Sluice is a Class IV rapid (this is where the movie Deliverance was filmed).
• Tuckasegee River; not so much for the river, but because I was paddling with the legendary Chris Stec.
• Turner River; think Jurassic Park – more alligators than you can count!
The Best Days End the Same Way
Some of my favorite memories have come from quiet mornings watching wildlife, paddling through hidden coves, or simply enjoying a peaceful stretch of river with friends. The goal isn’t to paddle the farthest or tackle the biggest water. It’s to enjoy the experience and make it home safely so you can do it again next weekend.
Wear your life jacket, respect the conditions, keep learning, and never stop exploring. Water has a way of teaching us something new every time we launch.