For now, a sense of excitement about paddling, tempered with good judgment, is the secret to becoming a self-sufficient paddler. You're new to paddling, or you're an experienced paddler in a new town, skilled enough to be out on your own but a little short on paddling buddies or ideas about where to go. A whole list of trips, paddlers, and paddler-oriented training and social activities is waiting for you. Canoe and kayak clubs are everywhere, and most accommodate paddlers of all skill levels. They're perfect places to meet others with compatible interests or skills, or informal mentors who can help you advance.
Most clubs sponsor club-organized training programs at very little cost.
You can have a great time at any skill level. How advanced you become depends on your own goals, dedication, and the amount of time and effort you put into it. It doesn't require the level of commitment that some other sports do. Bill Stewart, co-owner of the Northwest Outdoor Center in Seattle and an expert sea kayaker, agrees. Just about anyone can go out in a lake after about 10 minutes.