Basics for Paddling the Cuyahoga River in Kent

Last week I shared a video and story summarizing how you can kayak or canoe the stretch of the Cuyahoga River from River Bend Park into downtown Kent.

While great fun, this stretch of the river can pose some hazards to beginner paddlers and should be approached with extreme caution.

My friend Dave Herpy, the outdoor adventure coordinator for Kent State University and a certified ACA River Kayaking Instructor Trainer reminded me of the potential dangers and shared the YouTube video featured in this article about the basics for kayaking whitewater rapids — some of which you’ll experience in this section of the river.

“I’ve seen a lot of near misses on this section, so it’s important for folks to understand what they’re getting themselves into before attempting to paddle this section,” Herpy said.

Kent State offers a variety of whitewater paddling classes you can take to learn the basics and advance your skills.

Watch the video for the basics to safe paddling, and check out the links below for more information about safe kayaking.

• Glossary of Basic Paddling Terms
• Beginners Guide to Kayak Equipment Terminology