Our club hosts official club (ACA sanctioned) events, including trips and skills clinics, and common adventure trips. You can find more information about trips in our Forums and our Events Calendar.
Navigate the Resources Menu
The Resources Menu Tabs contains links to several collections of content:
- Our Favorite Trips: These posts capture some of our favorite trips and places to paddle around town and beyond.
- Safety: Safety is an important value and priority of our club! Life jackets are required at all times on or near the water, and we don’t allow the use of alcohol, cannabis, or other substances while paddling at our events. We also host an archive of articles related to safety such as safety guidelines for our outings, how to dress or cold weather, and a story about a near miss on an icy cold Mississippi River.
- Common Adventure Model: Read more here on our page about the Common Adventure Model we use in our club, adopted from resources originally developed by Ron Watters.
Other Resources
- Information for new kayakers: paddling_101-aca.pdf (ymaws.com)
- River Hazards & How To Survive Them | Paddling.com
- Kayaking on Rivers | Paddling for Beginners (youtube.com)
- Strainers: A River Angler’s Biggest Threat to Survival (youtube.com)
- Cold Weather Kayaking: Preparing for Cold-Season Boating | NRS
- Boating with Children: Boating Safety for Infants & Small Children | NRS
- First Aid presentation by Kathy Pszonka 3/6/2025: First Aid.pdf
- Kayaking Locations Near St. Louis area: Paddling, Canoeing, Kayak Launch, Fishing & Kayaking Spots Near Me (boardandkayak.com)
- 9 Best Places to go Kayaking in Missouri [LAKES & RIVERS] (kayakguru.com)
- 12 Missouri Rivers You Need to Float, Kayak or Canoe This Labor Day Weekend (vacationsmadeeasy.com)
- Lower Meramec River – Section III – St. Louis Outdoor Adventures (stlouisoutdooradventures.com)
Minimum (Basic) Required Gear
- PFD (Personal Flotation Device), also called a lifejacket – All must wear one when on the water (Club Requirement)(Those 13 years and younger are required to wear a PFD when on the water – Federal Law)ir
- Whistle – should be “pealess” (no internal moving parts) so it will work when wet. (Coast Guard Requirement)
- And, of course, a kayak, canoe, or SUP, and paddle. (Duh)
PFD
- Life Jacket Wear / Wearing your Life Jacket (uscgboating.org)
- How To: Choose the Right Life Jacket – YouTube
- How to choose a PFD for yourself or someone else – YouTube
- The Proper Way to Fit a PFD (Life Jacket) – YouTube
- https://safeboatingcampaign.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/life-jacket-label-infographic.pdf
- Life Jacket Wear / Wearing your Life Jacket (uscgboating.org)
Parts of a Kayak and Kayak Paddles
The Kayak Paddle (Euro paddles)
- Paddles 101 – Design – YouTube
- Flat Paddle vs Feathered Paddle – YouTube
- Choosing the Right Size Kayak Paddle | How Long Should Your Paddle Be? – YouTube
- (The paddle manufacturer’s website usually has recommendations given your height and boat width.)
Loading, transporting your kayak or SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard)
- How to lift your yak – YouTube (One person)
- How to Solo carry a Sit In Kayak to and from your vehicle using your shoulder. – YouTube
- Kayak Cart for Sit-On-Top You Are Using Your Kayak Cart Wrong – YouTube
- Kayak Cart for Sit-In-Kayak Using a kayak trolly – how to do it right with Olly Sanders – YouTube
- How to Transport a Kayak | Kayaking for Beginners – YouTube – PaddleTV channel
- The Easiest way to Load a Kayak on Top of a Car or Truck by Yourself – YouTube
- Loading a Kayak at 80 – YouTube
- How to Load a Kayak onto a Roof Rack – YouTube
- Solo Kayak Loading Hack – Car Top Easier in 2 Minutes (100lbs +) – YouTube
- How to Transport a Kayak: Solo Loading and Unloading [NO LOAD ASSIST] – YouTube
- How to tie down your kayak or SUP to your roof rack – YouTube
Knots
Stand Up Paddle-boarding specific instructional videos
- Basic SUP Safety | Paddling.com
- StandUpPaddlingTV – YouTube – an instructional series
- Top 10 Stand Up Paddle safety skills – Bing video
- SUP tips to INSTANTLY improve your BALANCE! Stand Up Paddle Boarding for beginners -YouTube
- INFLATABLE vs. HARD PADDLE BOARD. – YouTube (Also inflatables are more forgiving when you fall on them.)
Sit-On-Top specific instructional videos
- How to Re-Enter a Sit-On-Top Kayak – YouTube
- How to get back on a sit on top kayak from the water… – YouTube
- How to get back on your kayak (Larger Person Version) – YouTube
- How to Kayak in 5 Minutes: sit on top kayak – YouTube
Sit-In-Kayak Fitting
- How To Adjust The Fit Your Touring Kayak – YouTube
- Touring Kayak Fit – Stellar Kayaks & Surf Skis – YouTube
- Using MiniCel/Closed Cell Foam for Control & Better Fit – Kayaking Tips #45 – Kayak Hipster – YouTube
- Making a Custom Kayak Seat – YouTube
- How to Make a Foam Kayak Seat – YouTube – Nick Schade
Getting in and out of your kayak
- 5 Mistakes Every New Kayaker Makes… And How To Avoid Them – YouTube
- Entering- Exiting a Kayak – YouTube using the paddle as a support
- Getting in and out of a kayak – YouTube from the shore
- Entering & Exiting the Kayak – YouTube also from the shore
- How to Get Into and Out of a Kayak Smoothly and Safely – YouTube – PaddleTV channel
- Oru Kayak How To: Getting In and Out of Your Kayak Safely – YouTube
- How to Get In and Out of an Oru Kayak – YouTube – young and older adult
- How to launch a kayak from a high dock – YouTube
- Launching a Kayak from a Dock – YouTube
- Getting in and out of a sea kayak | On any shorelines – YouTube – greenland paddle
- LLBean has an entertaining educational series of videos. Start with How to Get Into Your Kayak at https://global.llbean.com/llb/shop/518725.html
- How to Get In a Kayak + How to put on a kayak spray skirt – YouTube (also see Sprayskirts below)
Basic Kayak paddle strokes
- 3 Kayaking Strokes You Need To Know | How To Kayak – YouTube – Forward, sweep, and draw strokes
- Forwards Paddling Online Course – Develop an efficient forwards paddling technique – YouTube
- Efficient Sea Kayak Forward Paddling Technique – YouTube
- Forwards paddling stroke with a Greenland paddle – how to paddle efficiently with a Greenland paddle – YouTube
- Sculling 1 – YouTube
- How To Turn A Sea Kayak – YouTube
- Most Important Sea Kayak Beginner Skill? – YouTube – skulling
- How to Avoid Flipping Your Kayak | How to Kayak – YouTube
Other kayaking techniques/strokes
- Turn Your Kayak Quickly – Sweep Stroke + Edging – YouTube
- Edging your Kayak – For Better Control – YouTube
- How to Edge and Lean a Kayak – YouTube
- How to balance, edge and lean in a kayak. Kayak Instruction. – YouTube
- Kayak Low Brace – How to Paddle Series – YouTube
- The Low Brace – 3 Things to Try – Paddling Tips – Kayak Hipster – YouTube
- Learn the Sea Kayak Low Brace Turn for Fast, Stable Turns – YouTube
- Linking Strokes in Kayaking – a Quick Discussion – Kayak Hipster – YouTube
- How to turn a sea kayak efficiently – online course – YouTube
- Learn The Sea Kayak Bow Draw – Paddling Magazine – not a video
- Strokes & Techniques – Paddling Magazine – not a video
- Draw Stroke – Strokes and Concepts – YouTube
- EJ’s Strokes and Concepts Draw Stroke – YouTube
- Whitewater Basic Technical Skills – YouTube – works with non-whitewater kayaks too – just with a slower response
- Learn the Fastest Sea Kayak Turning Stroke – The Deep Diggity Dig | Adventure Kayak – YouTube
Towing (This could be necessary when a paddler becomes injured or tired)
- Master Contact Towing for Fast Kayak Rescues and Recoveries – YouTube
- Towing – Sea Kayak Rescue Technique – YouTube
- How to Tow a Kayak: Contact Tows – YouTube
Kayaking in current
- Kayaking on Rivers | Paddling for Beginners – YouTube
- Kayak Instruction – Reading the River – YouTube
Kayaking in rough water
Self Rescues
- Kayak Wet Exit – How to get out of your kayak – YouTube
- Kayak Paddle Float Self Rescue – YouTube
- Kayak Self Rescue – Paddle Float – YouTube
- Paddle Float Re-enter and Roll Kayak Rescue – YouTube – advanced technique
- Sea Kayak Self Rescue: Cowboy Rescue / How do I get back into my kayak alone? – YouTube
- Seven ways of Solo-Kayak-Reentry – YouTube
- Simple stirrup self rescue – YouTube – also useful for assisted rescues with a tired or weak paddler
- The Release Line Paddle Float Rescue – YouTube
Assisted Rescues
- How to Re-Enter a Sit Inside Kayak for Beginners – YouTube
- Sea Kayak T-Rescue: Deep Water Rescue / How to get back in your Kayak with help – YouTube
- Heel Hook – Kayak Rescue – YouTube
- 30 second kayak rescue – YouTube
- Master the Sea Kayak Scoop Rescue for Injured Paddlers | Adventure Kayak | Rapid Media – YouTube
- Hand of God Rescue – YouTube
- Empty A Flooded Kayak Hatch With Cleopatra’s Needle – body boat blade – YouTube
Paddling Gear
- Protecting Your Hands | Paddling.com
- Paddling Footwear | Paddling.com
- Body Gear: Ep1 – footwear – YouTube
- Must Have Paddling Safety Gear | How to Kayak or Canoe – YouTube
- How to Choose the Right Kayak for All Types of Flatwater Paddlers – YouTube
- How to Choose a Kayak | Beginner Tips – YouTube
- How Kayak Design Affects Performance – How to Choose the Right Kayak – YouTube
- Before you start sea kayaking | select the right kayak – YouTube
- Top 5 Pieces of Paddling Gear | The Essential Kayak and Canoe Gear – YouTube
- Must Have Paddling Safety Gear | How to Kayak or Canoe – YouTube
- Kayak Paddles – Everything You Need to Know About How to Choose a Paddle – YouTube
- What’s the difference in Kayak Paddles? Watch This – YouTube
- A beginners guide to Greenland paddles – YouTube
- What’s Up With Greenland Kayak Paddles? | Gearlab Outdoors IPIK Review – YouTube
Sprayskirts
- Seals: How To Choose A Recreational Kayak Skirt – YouTube
- How to use a Seals Zippered Sneak Kayak Sprayskirt – YouTube – Ben Lawry demonstrating
- How to Select a Seals Kayak Sprayskirt – YouTube
- How to Install a Nylon Kayak Sprayskirt – YouTube
- How to Correctly Wear a Neoprene Kayak Sprayskirt – YouTube
- How to Install Bungee-Corded Neoprene Kayak Sprayskirt – YouTube
Wetsuits and Drysuits (also see Cold Water Safety below)
- Drysuits vs Wetsuits – What’s the difference? – YouTube
- Wetsuits vs Drysuits | What’s Best for Paddling? – YouTube
- 8 Tips for Choosing a Drysuit for Kayaking – Kayak Hipster – YouTube
- Dry vs. Semi-Dry Suit, Latex vs. Neoprene Gaskets – Kayak Hipster – YouTube
- How to Care for a Drysuit or Dry Top – YouTube
- Drysuit/Dry Top Gasket care part 1. Getting dressed – YouTube
- How to Put On a Front Zip Drysuit – YouTube
- How To Put On A Back Zip Drysuit – YouTube
- Tip: A neck gaiter worn over the face and head makes it much easier to get the neck gasket over the head when putting it on and taking it off. Remove the neck gaiter from underneath the neck gasket once the neck gasket is in place.
- How to get into and out of a front-zip wetsuit with eBodyboarding.com’s Jay Reale – YouTube
- How To: Drysuit Zipper Care and Maintenance – YouTube
- Finding a leak in a drysuit – YouTube
- Fixing leaks in your drysuit – YouTube
Safety on the water
- Paddlesports Safety Online Course (americancanoe.org)
- Paddle Safety | Paddling.com – not a video
- Must Have Paddling Safety Gear | How to Kayak or Canoe – YouTube
Kayak Camping
- What Gear to Take While Kayak Camping / How to Pack a Kayak and Set up Camp on a Beach – YouTube
- How to pack for Kayak Camping – YouTube
- Kayak Camping Gear List 2022 – Literally Everything – YouTube
- How to Plan a Kayak Camping Trip | What You Need and How to Pack – YouTube
- River Camping 101 by Jim Moody
Kayak Materials:
Plastic or Composites
- Plastic VS Composite Touring / Sea Kayaks – YouTube
- Kayak Materials 101: Which One Is Best For You? – YouTube
- Kayaks fiberglass vs plastic which is better – YouTube
Other References
Common Adventure Model: Read more here on our page about the Common Adventure Model we use in our club, adopted from resources originally developed by Ron Watters.
How to Become an ACA certified instructor: