Finger Lakes Sea Kayakers

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Finger Lakes Sea Kayakers is basically just a group of people that like to paddle. We enjoy the social aspect of paddling. We believe in and promote in safe paddling practices. We encourage everyone to work on their skills and meet regularly to practices all aspects of safe paddling (e.g. strokes, rescues, rolling, navigation, etc) We are not a club, per se, but rather just a group of paddlers. The Finger Lakes Sea Kayakers group is primarily composed of people in the Finger Lakes Region. Currently most of the members are from the Ithaca area but anyone in the Finger Lakes area is welcome to join. We mostly paddle on Cayuga lake but members often take trips out of the area as well. How to join

Joining the group is easy. When we meet on the water we want to ensure that everyone meets a set of minimum requirements in terms of safety equipment and skill level. A member of the group will "sponsor" first timers to ensure that these minimum levels are met.

Minimum Skill requirements - Paddlers must be able perform a wet exit, paddle forward in a reasonably straight line, and have ability to swim with paddling gear on.

Minimum Equipment requirements - Every paddler must have a paddle, whistle, water pump, PFD, sprayskirt, appropriate dress for the water temperature (see below), appropriate footwear (sandals not recommended under any circumstances). The sprayskirt & PFD must be worn whenever the paddler is on the water.

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Mission Statement - mission statement goes here

Appropriate dress

Members of the Finger Lakes Sea Kayakers should always dress "appropriately". This means that one should dress for current or potential paddling conditions on any given day.

The primary criteria upon which one must based their decision on what to wear is the water temperature. As a general guideline, the 100 degree rule can be used. When the water temperature plus the air temperature is less than 100 degrees, a wet suit or dry suit (with a warm undergarment) should be warn. This is only a guideline; when in doubt dress for the water temperature.

Clothes made of cotton should not be worn as cotton retains water. Instead wool, fleece, or some other moisture wicking material should be worn to provide warmth.

Some sort of foot protection should always be worn. This does not include sandels such as Teva's as the straps can easily get caught on footpegs or rigging. Shoes will not only proved warmth in cold water but will protect the feet when entering and exiting on land as well as provide protection from glass or other sharp objects in the water.

When paddling in extreme cold conditions, appropriate attire should include a wet suit or dry suit, shoes, neoprene gloves, and a neoprene or fleece lined hat.

At the other extreme, when paddling on a sunny day, a large hat and long sleeves should be worn as well as sunscreen as protection from sunburn. It's probably not a bad idea to carry along some bug repellant as well. Don't forget to bring extra water.