From lazy rivers and quiet mountain lakes to roaring creeks and the surf along the Oregon Coast, Oregon offers a wide variety of paddling delights for kayakers

"You can see a lot more from a kayak," said Sandra Uesugi, a member of the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club and safety instructor. She counts the Little North Santiam and Owyhee rivers among her favorite places in Oregon.

But kayakers of every ability - from beginner to expert - need to be prepared and safety conscious. The Willamette River is just one example of a river that has been flowing unseasonably high and strong recently because of dam releases, snowmelt and rainfall. And it's been a rough spring already on Oregon waters, with a number of drownings and water rescues.

That's not to say that you shouldn't consider learning to kayak. It's just a reminder that rivers are serious business, and kayaking is not a sport to rush into without proper training and equipment.

"It shouldn't be something to keep you from the river, but the more you know, the more equipped you are to explore such treasures," said Sera Janson, a 15-year kayaking veteran and former whitewater safety instructor.

"In fact, kayaking is a great sport with room for all types of recreationalists. There are three main types of kayaks - whitewater, recreational and touring (or sea) kayaks and a myriad of variations in between to fit people's tastes.

"It's a pretty welcoming environment for beginners," said Uesugi. "But it's important to know your limits. It's great to go with people who know the river, but ultimately it's up to you."

"Prevention is huge," agreed Kate Howell, another longtime kayaker and a member of the Kayak and Canoe Club board.

Howell started kayaking at age 13 and was a competitive kayaker in her native Wales. She became a surf-kayaker when she moved to Newport after college and now lives in Corvallis.

"I think the thing to do - before you even step on the water - is to take a course," Howell said.

Take time to take a class

In the mid-valley, many groups offer opportunities to bone up on your skills and network with other kayakers.

Both the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club and the Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club host annual water safety weekends, and the Albany and Corvallis Parks and Recreation departments offer classes and trips throughout the spring and summer.

Dixon Recreation Center at Oregon State University and Osborn Aquatic Center in Corvallis also host regular "roll sessions" where kayakers can practice their skills.

In addition, the Outdoor Recreation Center at Dixon rents out some paddle sports gear and hosts kayaking classes and trips, and gear shops such as REI and Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe in Portland also offer private classes.

In Corvallis, Peak Sports hosts semi-annual events where customers can try out various boats and ask questions. The next event will be June 21 at Michael's Landing. Another local shop, White Water Warehouse, specializes in supported kayaking trips on the Rogue River.

Be sure to plan ahead, as all of the classes mentioned above fill up quickly. Most of the above-mentioned groups are already at capacity for their next round of classes.

"I think if you're interested in paddling, there are so many resources in Oregon," Janson said.

"Oregon's actually has more Wild and Scenic rivers - nationally designated rivers - than anywhere else in the U.S.," she said. "It's an amazing place and rivers specifically are an amazing place. They are the veins and arteries of the Earth."

Essential gear

Helmet: A good helmet is an absolute requirement for whitewater kayaking. Your head is especially vulnerable in fast water because of rocks and other debris. Helmets are optional for recreational types.

Personal Flotation Device: A PFD designed for kayakers has extra-large armholes and is cut high in the back to allow for a comfortable seated position. Good PFDs start at about $40. Cheaper ones might fit basic safety requirements, but may chafe at the arms. This is not the place to save money. The law says you must have a PFD at all times.

Spray skirt: The spray skirt keeps water from seeping into your boat through the cockpit (top opening). Whitewater skirts are usually made from Neoprene, while nylon is used for touring kayaks.

First aid kit: Kayakers need to be self-sufficient on the water. It's also a good idea to enroll in CPR, first aid and swift-water rescue classes.

Whistle: The only other item required by Oregon law for canoers and kayakaers. A whistle can help rescuers locate you in an emergency.

Clothes: Invest in appropriate footwear (sandals with gripping bottoms for recreational paddlers or Neoprene booties for whitewater kayakers) and kayak-specific clothing, such as drysuits, designed to help whitewater kayakers stay warm.

River ratings

The international scale of river difficulty, developed by the organization American Whitewater, ranks sections of river by difficulty from Class I (easiest) to Class VI (nearly impossible). The ratings can be used as guidelines, but boaters should always check local conditions before attempting a new area. Rivers can change character in the space of a few hours because of rainfall, storms and dam releases, so rapids that are Class II one day can be Class IV the next.

Willamette runs

(These likely are Class II runs right now, but in warmer weather when the river level drops, they would be Class I.)

Peoria to Corvallis: Launch at Peoria Park, just north of Peoria. Take out at Michael's Landing in Corvallis. You'll see farmland, the head of Booneville Channel, which defines Kiger Island, and Willamette Park in south Corvallis. Average time: 4 hours. (10 miles).

Corvallis to Albany: Launch at Willamette Park or Michael's Landing in Corvallis. Take out at Hyak Park or Bowman Park in Albany. You'll see farmland, Truax Island Access, Half Moon Bend Landing and Riverside Landing (three remote spots perfect for a picnic lunch). Average time: 2 to 4 hours. (12 miles).

Albany to Buena Vista: Launch at Hyak Park or Bowman Park in Albany. Take out at Buena Vista Park near Independence. You'll see farmland and a wider slower channel. You'll pass by Black Dog Landing, Luckiamute Landing, the mouths of the Luckiamute and Santiam rivers and white cliffs just above the ferry landing at Buena Vista. Average time: 6 hours. (14 miles).

(Remember to always check river conditions and paddle with a group. The Willamette River has had above average flows for the past few months. For more trip ideas check out the links to paddling resources and suggested reading.)

Paddling resources

Albany Parks and Recreation: www.ci.albany.or.us.

Corvallis Parks and Recreation: www.ci.corvallis.or.us.

Dixon Recreation Center, Oregon State University: oregonstate.edu/recsports.

Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club: www.okcc.org.

Oregon Kayaking: www.oregonkayaking.net.

Paddle Oregon (Aug. 18-22): www.paddleoregon.org.

PDX Girl Paddlers: groups.yahoo.com/group/pdxgirlpaddler.

PDX Kayaker: www.pdxKayaker.org.

Peak Sports: www.peaksportscorvallis.com.

White Water Warehouse: www.whitewaterwarehouse.com.

Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club: www.wkcc.org.

Access and Conservation

American Canoe Association: www.americancanoe.org.

American Whitewater: www.americanwhitewater.org

Coalition for Oregon River Rights: www.riverrights.org.

Stop Oregon Littering and Vandalism (SOLV): www.solv.org.

Surfrider Foundation: www.surfrider.org

WaterWatch: www.waterwatch.org

Willamette Riverkeeper: www.willamette-riverkeeper.org.

Suggested reading

"Basic Kayaking, All the Skills and Gear You Need to Get Started," (2005), by Wayne Dickert.

"Canoe and Kayak Routes of Northwest Oregon, Including Southwest Washington," (2007) by Philip N. Jones.

"Soggy Sneakers: A Paddler's Guide to Oregon Rivers," (2004) By Pete Giordano and the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club.