Mike Aronoff: Hi! I am Mike Aronoff with Canoe, Kayak and Paddle Company in the Virginia area, Washington DC.

I am an Instructor, Trainer and Educator with the American Canoeing Association and I have been at this most of my life which you can look at me and tell it's a pretty long time. We are going to talk today about the most popular and fastest growing segment of outdoor sports which is recreational kayaking. This is going to be Flatwater Kayaking as opposed to Whitewater or kayaking on the ocean. This is what more people are doing, thats appropriate for paddling on lakes, easy moving water rivers, space and protected tidal areas. We are going to talk about the gear, well talk about the kayak, well talk about the paddles, well talk about the essential piece of equipment, the life jacket and we will take a look at the basic and rudimentary strokes that go with propelling and controlling this type of craft.

This is an introduction and a method to give you some information. We strongly suggest for both safety, efficiency and the fun you will have that you shorten a learning curve by taking formal instruction by a certified instructor. So, let's move on. s, base and protected tidal areas. We are going to talk about the gear, we ll talk about the kayak, we ll talk about the paddles, we ll talk about the essential piece of equipment, the life jacket and we will take a look at the basic and rudimentary strokes that go with propelling and controlling this type of craft.

This is an introduction and a method to give you some information. We strongly suggest for both safety, efficiency and the fun you will have that you shorten a learning curve by taking formal instruction by a certified instructor. So, let's move on.