TIDES AND CURRENTS
All paddler's should have a copy of the Tide Tables for the area they are paddling. In addition they should have a set of Current Tables and if one is available a current diagram for the area.
WEATHER
One of the most important things every paddler should do when planning a trip on the water is to first check the local marine weather forcast. While paddling a good habit to get into is to periodicaly check the forcast enroute using your vhf radio.
The most important part of
the forcast to pay attention to is the speed and direction
of the wind. The wind can and will keep a tide
from
flooding or ebbing. I was once on a trip with a group
of paddler's on the Hudson River. It took us three hours to
paddle a distance of one statute mile. According to the
tables we should have had a 2 knot current pushing us up
river but the wind and the rain, did I forget to mention
the rain, were blowing down river with such force it was a
struggle to gain every inch. Another thing that added to
our dilema was that the shore was lined with duck hunters
so we were forced to stay out in mid-channel. We finished
that paddle with big grins on our faces. We all knew that
this was one of those trips that we would all remember for
years to come. Aids to
Navigation I dont
want to write a long and boring text on this subject. All I
advise is that you obtain and study a copy of Chart # 1.
BOOKS
Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation by David Burch