The far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 virus and the measures being taken to reduce its spread are applicable in many areas you may not have thought about. While state and local regulations vary, a common sense approach to healthy paddling will have a minimal impact on your paddle sports activities.

A graphic from the American Canoe Association gives a quick summary of the simple steps that may help to keep you safer on the water as far as spreading or becoming infected with the coronavirus.

As always, wearing an appropriate life jacket all times and being aware of the serious and immediate dangers of cold water immersion should still be your primary safety concerns while enjoying any paddle-sports activity on Maine’s beautiful but unforgiving waters.

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is America’s premier boating safety education provider; for more information on paddle-sports safety and education, as well as a broad range of boating education resources, visit the national CG Auxiliary site at cgaux.org or the Boothbay Harbor flotilla’s site at: flotilla25.org