Information on kayaking trips

A few tips on how to prepare yourself for a kayaking rally:

Choose a river or waterway that you would like to explore (take the difficulty level into account).
Set the starting and finishing point of the kayaking rally (an average daily distance in 20 km).
If you travel in a group discuss the route and time of rally beforehand in order to avoid confusion.
Keep in mind that children or the disabled must always be accompanied by an adult or guardian.
Health status of the participants must enable them to take part in the rally, which is attempted at their own risk.
If you choose a multi-day trip with an overnight stay in a tent do not forget to take a few necessary things such as: sleeping bag, mattress or sleeping pad, tourist gas bottle, etc.
Get individual or group personal accident insurance because NAVIGO company cannot be held liable for cuts, fractures etc. or for lost or stolen belongings.
If you are going on a kayaking trip in your car you can leave it at our company’s free car park and we will provide transport to or from the kayaking trail.
Are you arriving by bus or train? The bus stop is 50 meters, and the train station 300 meters from our company’s headquarters.

WARNING!

It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol during the rally.
You have to cancel the trip for reasons beyond your control or to change the date, route, number of kayaks? There are no financial consequences for you, just give us a phone call or notify us by e-mail.
If you still have any questions regarding the route, transport or equipment, please call us! We wish all kayaking tourists knee-deep water in the rivers.
We issue VAT invoices.

Kayaking is an extremely pleasant way of experiencing nature. It is also very safe, as long as you act sensibly by following a few basic rules:

Any non-swimmers who board a kayak take a risk. You can reduce it by putting on a life jacket. If you transport children in a kayak, remember that in the event of an accident one adult will be able to save only one child.
People who can swim should consider the fact that their capabilities may be limited by clothing, fast river current, waves on the lake or sea and low water temperature. Therefore, in difficult conditions, a rescue vest should be worn at inland waterways, and a life jacket at sea.
Never travel alone. There should always be someone next to you who will help you in the case of an accident.
Never travel at night. Providing help in the dark is very difficult or even impossible.
Never get into a kayak after consuming alcohol or narcotics. They slow down your reactions and limit your common sense. Alcohol does not warm you up but accelerates heat loss.
Accidents happen unexpectedly. In critical situations, there is no time for democracy, and therefore each group should choose a person who, if in doubt, will make a quick decision. Such decisions must be absolutely respected.

Find out as much as possible about the route you want to take before starting off. Remember that the greatest danger is the water damming: you should know if and where artificial rapids, dams or mills are located – be especially careful there. Flowing water creates a horizontal swirl downstream of the damming, which constitutes a trap for a person who is drawn into it. You should not try to paddle through such places, because the consequences of capsizing are much more serious there than elsewhere.
Remember that rivers are particularly dangerous when the water rises: swimming in flood water is dangerous, always and everywhere.
Always check the weather conditions before entering open waters (large lakes, the sea, etc.). Choose a body of water that you can handle in the actual hydro-meteorological conditions using the available equipment.
Mountain and sea waters pose particular risks. If you want to sail there you should possess the appropriate skills and the right equipment.

Pay attention to larger vessels and always give them way: you are the smallest and the most agile. Always keep a large distance from ships, barges and ferries.

Your kayak should be unsinkable.
Always have a rescue vest at hand (preferably on your body) (in the case of open waters – a life jacket).
Remember about the appropriate clothes: especially in bad weather and in cold water, the right clothes can save your life. Clothing cannot restrain your movements and be too heavy: a thick coat and wellingtons can pull you down like a stone to the bottom after capsizing.
In mountain waters, remember to put on your helmet and take your rescue tube with you.
It never hurts to bring a sealed first aid kit with you – if you don’t have it at hand it will most certainly be necessary! Learn how to provide first aid.