Spring paddling can be dangerous. Here are some tips for staying safe.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • April 1, 2021

As ice melts from the landscape and waterways open up in the spring, you might find yourself itching to toss a boat in the water. That’s perfectly fine, but there are a few things to consider before you start paddling or motoring around. First and foremost, the water — both inland waters and the ocean — is especially cold in the spring, which heightens the risk of becoming hypothermic or drowning if you fall out of your boat or it capsizes.