Thank you for purchasing a Jackson Kayak.

Please take the time to view the user’s manual carefully.  It will help you better understand your new kayak and it’s outfitting, care, and use.

General Safety Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF SAFE PADDLING PRACTICES AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR TRAINING BY A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR.

The following equipment is required for safe use of your Jackson Kayak:

PADDLE

Typically, a whitewater paddle will be shorter than the average touring or fishing kayak paddle and have a larger blade face. Your local kayak dealer should be able to help you decide on a paddle to suit your needs. It is always a good idea to carry a backup paddle that can be broken down in the stern of your kayak.

PFD (PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE)

Safe use of any kayak or canoe requires that you be wearing a personal flotation device at all times. If you have to exit your kayak the extra flotation a PFD provides can make the difference between life and death. US Coast Guard PFD regulations

HELMET

You should always wear an appropriate helmet while paddling whitewater.

SPRAY SKIRT

For boats with enclosed cockpits you should paddle with a spray skirt in place to facilitate rolling and prevent the kayak from getting swamped. Every time you fit the skirt to the cockpit rim, double check that the skirts grab loop is on the outside.
FLOAT BAGS

If you are forced to exit your whitewater kayak and it becomes swamped, recovery becomes more difficult. By installing float bags you can reduce the volume of water a swamped kayak will take on. The Fun Float is a single horseshoe shaped bag that goes behind your rear wall and is fit to stay in place, even through the worst swims. (Not applicable to the Rogue series.) Check out our website or call your local kayak dealer for more information.

STORAGE AND TRANSPORT

Your kayak should be stored on its end or side out of direct sunlight. A cockpit cover is useful for keeping debris and critters out. Security bars are provided for securing your kayak by means of lock and cable. When transporting your kayak by car or truck it is imperative that the boat be secured to the vehicle so that no single point of failure would result in the kayak coming loose. Failure to do so endangers both you and other motorists. The kayak may be transported on the roof of a vehicle by using racks or foam blocks to support the boat. The kayak should be tied or strapped to the roof or racks at the bow and the stern and two more lines should be run to the front and rear bumpers from the bow and stern. If the kayak is transported in the bed of a truck, lines should be run through the bow and stern security bars and tied off to the vehicle. If the kayak is to be carried within the vehicle make sure it will not shift during transit.

SAFETY WARNING

Paddlesports can be very dangerous and physically demanding. The user of this product should understand that participating in paddlesports may involve serious injury or death. Observe the following safety precautions whenever using this product:

• Always wear a nationally approved personal flotation device.
• Always wear a helmet.
• Get paddlesports instruction from a licensed or certified instructor.
• Obtain certified first-aid and rescue training and carry first-aid and rescue equipment.
• Never paddle alone.
• Be aware of appropriate river water levels, tidal changes, dangerous current, and changing weather conditions.
• Scout unfamiliar water; portage where appropriate.
• Consult your physician prior to beginning your paddlesports training.
• Do not use alcohol or mind-altering drugs prior to or during the use of this product.
• Do not impair entry or exit.
• Do not exceed your paddling ability; be honest with yourself.

The user of this product acknowledges both an understanding and an assumption of the risk involved in paddlesports.

Required Reading

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