Mike Clark — aka Muddy Mike — is Big Muddy Adventures’ founder and senior guide. He answers your questions about paddling and beyond.

Hey Mike, I’ve never paddled before, but I’d like to try. Do you have any advice for those starting out?

MARIA, AFFTON, MO

Yes, Maria, I do. Find an organization or a place that has boats and people with some know-how, and go try it out in a group format. This will give you the opportunity to experience the activity for yourself, and then that will refine your thinking about what’s next and what to get.

From there, your next step may be to rent a boat — say, a canoe with a relative or friend, or a one-person kayak for yourself. I don’t think you want to rush into buying a boat. Rent a boat, try it out, and over time, see what type of paddling you enjoy the most. You might find that you like to do whitewater kayaking or down-river kayaking. Those activities would require different boats. So, I would rent a boat and try it out. Rent the appropriate equipment to go with it as well, such as a personal flotation device.

Got a question for Muddy Mike? Send it to shawn@terrain-mag.com.

Top image: by Reiss Wegman.