Hopefully your kayak is stored in a safe dry place.
If you live in a warmer region you may still be paddling, although with the weather lately even the warmer regions haven’t been too warm!
Have you protected your kayak from the elements?
The best storage area would be indoors like a garage, basement, or shed. I’ve seen kayaks stored under a house (in the crawl space), a large bedroom closet, and in a living room on its side between the couch and the wall. You would not have even known it was there if you didn’t look.
If you do not have room to store indoors than store under a shelter or overhang.
Whichever storage method you use will depend on the space you have available.
How will you store your kayak?
You can hang them on straps, stand them upright, and store them upside down or on their side. I have stored my kayaks using all of these methods.
Storing your kayak off the ground will protect your kayak from moisture and extreme temperature changes.
Don’t forget the cockpit cover! This will help keep bugs and other pests from making your kayak their home.  I have cockpit covers on all my kayaks. This way I don’t have to check for spider’s every time I go paddling!
No shelter available?
If you do not have a shelter you can build a very simple one using a weather resistant tarp. You will want to hang the tarp over your kayak. Do not wrap or cover your kayak with the tarp because this may promote moisture and mold.
You can hang your kayak from straps or place it on sawhorses. You will want to support your kayak and distribute the weight evenly at several points along the length. You can use straps or cradles to distribute weight evenly.
Have you protected your kayak against theft?
If you are storing you kayak outside, find a spot that is hidden from view. You don’t want to make it easy for someone to just carry it off. You may want to consider locking your kayak to heavy or non movable objects using a cable and lock.
Where do you store your kayak? We would love to hear from you.

Check out these upcoming kayak and canoe events and races. Now that kayak and canoe season has begun, there are tons of paddling events happening all over the country. Be sure to bookmark this site or subscribe to the BornToPaddle.com RSS feed to keep up to date on all the best paddle events and races!

For more information on all of these upcoming events, click here to check out our kayak, canoe and paddling events and races calendar.

Michigan
The Black River Canoe and Kayak Race, Saturday June 6th in Port Huron, Michigan. Pro Class, Business Class and Recreational Class.

Texas
The Great Castell Kayak Race, June 6th in Castell Texas, Llano River RV Park. . This is a family event to raise money for Chemo Therapy Patients. All Ages welcome. According to their website, you can register the day of the race but they prefer you pre-register. The put in is between Mason and Fredericksburg, TX.

Massachusetts
The Westport River Watershed Alliance is having their 6th Annual River Run Race on the Westport River, Saturday, June 13.Westport, MA (Rain or Shine). This is a Canoe & Kayak Race and also a Family Fun Paddle. You can enter the 3.5 mile family fun course or the 8.5 mile Challenge course. According to their website, the Race starts at Hix Bridge Landing and finishes at the Head of Westport River with a free shuttle to pick up your car at Hix Bridge.

New York
The Adirondack Mountain Club is having the 8th Annual Mid-Hudson ADK Paddlefest, June 20th at Plum Point Park, New Windsor, NY. According to their website, this event is free and open to the public. Activities will include, kayak lessons for beginners, kayak lessons for experienced paddlers with their own boat and gear, kayaks to test paddle and guided paddling trips for experienced paddlers with their own boat and gear. Pre-registration may be required.

Do you have a kayak, canoe and paddling event you’d like us to feature on BornToPaddle.com? If so, Click here to send us the info using our handy contact form.

Click here to visit our kayak, canoe races and events page to find the links to these websites and to find many other races and events that are going on all year all over the U.S.