Labeling our kayaks and canoes is a small thing, but it can help to avoid big problems.

Kayaks and canoes that go adrift can trigger the Coast Guard and other marine patrollers to initiate a missing boater search. This costs a lot – not just monetarily but emotionally as well.

Very easy to avoid, simply labeling your kayak and/or canoe, as well as your other paddling gear such as your PFD, paddles, etc. can help prevent any turmoil should they go adrift.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary has introduced “Operation Paddle Smart” through their “Vessel Safety Check” program in many locations around the country, here’s what it is all about:

The Vessel Safety Check is a complimentary check of your boat conducted by members of the Auxiliary, confirming that it meets both federal and state requirements for safety.

No citations are issued and the results of the safety check are not reported to any enforcement agency, but a decal is awarded to display if the vessel has passed the examination.

An example of some of the items checked include:

• Life Jackets
• Registration and numbering
• Navigation lights
• Ventilation
• Fire extinguishers
• Distress signals (flares, horn, etc.)
• Battery cover and connections

All of these items are currently required by state and federal laws and, if missing or non-operating, can result in a citation if your vessel is inspected by the Coast Guard.

The Vessel Safety Check gives you a risk-free way to check that you meet the legal minimums and to potentially avoid a citation later.

You can contact your local USCG station to see what they offer – many have waterproof stickers with space for you to write your name, address and phone number. For more info, visit: http://www.cgaux.org/vsc/

Or do it yourself – just write out your name, address and phone number in the cockpit of your kayak or canoe with an waterproof marker. Doesn’t get much easier than that! But imagine how much time, money and man-power simply labeling your kayak or canoe can save.

If you are looking to kayak or canoe on the Hudson River then you might want to volunteer for The Hudson River Swim for Life event this Sunday, September 12^th, at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow, New York.  

According to their website:

This annual event is non-competitive three mile and one mile swim to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Although the swimmer registration is closed they still need kayakers and canoers to volunteer to guide and assist the swimmers in the water for safety.  They are looking for 150 kayakers.

Kayakers can sign-up the day of the event, but they would like you to contact them by Friday, September 10^th for details.

If you would love to help out but do not have a kayak, kayak rentals are available.

For more information on the Hudson River Swim for Life event or to find other paddling races, events, festivals, paddlefests or triathlons all over the U.S.,   click here to go to our kayak, canoe & paddling races and events page.

Looking for paddling locations in your state?

Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak or canoe for flatwater or whitewater.  Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State.

Do you have a paddling event, kayak race, canoe race you would like listed on our paddling races and events page? Please use our handy contact form to send us the details.