Getting on the Mon: Gearing Up

You need to kayak Part 1 of 3

This 2022 series was updated in the spring of 2023.

Not many years ago, coal barges made the Monongahela River feel more industrial than recreational. But today, industrial traffic is sparse—leaving us with a vast flatwater playground that’s convenient for everything from a lunch-hour nature break to a day-long excursion.

All you need is a boat and a little gear. That can feel like a big research project—not even thinking about canoes, there are kayaks for flatwater and whitewater, kayaks you sit in and kayaks you sit on, kayaks you inflate or unfold, kayaks for fishing and touring and kayaks built for two. 

What seems like a good idea in the store can turn out less than ideal—inflatable kayaks are easy to transport, for example, but a large one can be difficult to paddle in wind. So we asked Mary Wimmer, organizer of the Morgantown Area Paddlers, for tips about choosing a single-person, sit-in, hardshell kayak for flatwater, the vessel she says most people use on the Mon. Much of what follows also applies to a sit-on-top kayak, which can be better for people who have trouble getting inside a kayak, although it may not be dry and warm enough for colder-season kayaking. 

New kayaks range from around $200 for smaller ones with fewer features to $2,000 and more for bigger, specialized boats. These are the key characteristics to consider, Wimmer says:

• Length  Flatwater recreational kayaks mostly measure between 9 and 14 feet. The 9-foot end of the range is lighter-weight and is easier to hoist into or on top of your vehicle, Wimmer says. It may be small for larger paddlers. Longer boats are typically faster and can carry more gear for longer trips but, depending on design, they can be less stable in the water and flip over more easily.
• Tracking  Some manufacturers are smoothing out their front keels—the keel is the center ridge that runs end to end on the underside—to make “crossover” boats that can be paddled on both flatwater and whitewater. But a good keel helps a boat track straight in the water and also keeps it steadier for taking photos or birdwatching. So if you know flatwater is your main terrain, Wimmer says, you’ll be happier if your new boat has a well-defined keel. Online reviews can also tell you how well a boat tracks. 
• Foot space  Foot rests or a molded foot well will help you transfer your paddling effort from legs and core into forward motion. 
• Don’t forget your backside  The cheapest boats have nothing more than a hard molded divot for sitting. An adjustable, padded seat makes a bigger difference in comfort than you can imagine, Wimmer says.
• Seller advice  We encourage you to buy local. Make sure the salesperson asks what kind of paddling you want to do, Wimmer says—that question tells you the person knows about outfitting paddlers. You can also learn a lot with a little internet research. 

Along with a boat, you’ll need a certain amount of gear. Wimmer has a few notes on that, too.

• Car rack  If you’re not tossing your kayak in the back of your pickup or, if it’s short, letting it ride shotgun in your SUV, you need to carry it on top. For securing your kayak to your roof rack, the J-cradle design is popular, Wimmer says—it’s both easy to use and relatively affordable. Most come with tie-down straps. Tying the kayak directly to the roof rack is not as secure as it might seem—“I have a witness to that who twice lost his boat driving down I-79,” she says—and tying the kayak down at its ends as well as at the contact points is essential. If money is not an issue, a Thule Hullavator is a great way to lift and anchor a boat onto a car roof with little effort, she adds.
• Paddle  Manufacturers and retailers recommend paddle length based on boat width and paddler height, although Wimmer cautions against a paddle shorter than 220 centimeters—it’ll drip water on you, she says. Once you’ve determined your length, choose a shaft diameter that’s comfortable in your hands and look for a paddle with blades in the mid-range of width and length to balance efficiency and effort. Wimmer likes Werner paddles but, whatever the brand, it’s mainly about materials: lighter-weight materials cost a little more but paddle with much less effort. 
• Life vest  A rigid vest that goes to the base of your spine rides up uncomfortably when you’re sitting, in Wimmer’s experience, and makes for sweaty paddling on a hot day. She recommends a mesh back below a raised back cushion.
• Rope  Wimmer carries 8 feet of rope with her. It’s handy if you need to tie down or to tow someone who’s become unable to paddle, and it’s required for lockages—details on that in Part 3. It doesn’t matter a lot what kind of rope or strap, she says, as long as it’s strong. 
• Whistle  You need this—the state requires a vessel under 26 feet to have a whistle or horn. 
• Dry bag  Snacks, map, sunscreen, wallet, keys, and phone—a dry bag is a small investment in keeping all of that contained and secure. A foot-long dry bag is plenty of space for outings on the Mon and other local flatwater, Wimmer says, and a bright color stands out in case of mishap. 
• Footwear  If you’re doing it right, your feet don’t get wet, but it’s best to be prepared. You can wear a water shoe or any regular old shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Wimmer  recommends toe protection. As a frequent paddler, her go-tos are Keens that are both made for water and have a good toe cover.

This should get you started!

Click the links for the rest of this series.
Part 2: Where to put in and how to use a kayak/canoe launch
Part 3: How to do a lockage.

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