Though any boat can capsize or sink, canoes are notably unstable on the water. Canoeing is a lot of fun, but if you don’t know the dangers, you could get into serious trouble on the water. Here are some tips for keeping dry and steering clear of danger. These tips are for using canoes but can apply to other watercraft as well.

• Best practices for getting into a canoe:

When getting in the canoe from shore or a dock, if you can, have someone hold the canoe steady. You don’t want to tip the canoe before you even get out on the water. Crouch low and keep your knees bent while grabbing the sides of the canoe for balance as you walk to your seat. Always walk along the center. Keeping your feet on the centerline will help keep the canoe from rocking.

Stay low – do not stand up or walk in the canoe when you are away from shore.

Always wear a life jacket – you never know when you might fall out or tip over unexpectedly.

Avoid sudden or jerky movements – rocking from side to side could cause the canoe to tip over.

Be aware of the currents in the water – you don’t want to end up floating farther downstream than you planned. If the current starts to pull you along faster or you see lots of rocks in the water ahead of you paddle away from them or paddle towards the shore.

Always sit on the seats or in the center of the canoe – sitting on the side of a canoe will cause it to tip over.

Stay away from low hanging trees and branches near the shore.

Do not get on the river in bad weather.

Avoid letting big waves hit the side of the canoe– always try to keep the canoe at a right angle to the waves otherwise the wave might push the canoe over.

Related Article: Safety tips for river excursions

If the canoe or other watercraft tips over:

• Don’t panic
• Stay with the watercraft if it is still floating and try to get upstream of the watercraft
• Release it if it is sinking
• If the craft is floating and it is safe to stay with it, paddle or push the watercraft to shore– If you have a tipped canoe, with the help of the other person in the canoe, you can get out in shallow water and flip the canoe to dump out the water and climb in. Most canoes will float even if full of water until you can get to shore to empty it.

Read more about canoes on the Canoe Guide at www.canoeing.com