Dallas Fox

Dallas Fox and Emma Ford learned about buying boats the hard way.

The kayaking novices and recent Birmingham, Ala., transplants arrived at the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club’s paddle school last May with kayaks bought from a friend in Atlanta.

After a day of being dumped into the Hiawassee River’s 58-degree water, Mr. Fox and Ms. Ford gave up the boats.

“They were tragically incorrect,” said Mr. Fox, 53, a retired irrigation company owner.

Attending a paddle school — like one to be held this year in Reliance, Tenn., May 31 to June 1 — is a good way to find a boat that fits, Ms. Ford said.

For $35, you can hit the water with a rented boat of any type. Classes range from whitewater freestyle to sea kayaking. Skilled instructors work with new students, added Ms. Ford, 61, a retired schoolteacher.

Outventure Chattanooga also offers summer programs in a wide variety of popular, self-propelled watercraft, said Ruth Cartlidge-Thompson, events coordinator.

But whether you take a class or grab an oar and head out on your own, you’ll want to choose your gear with care.

Even the gentle and classic canoe has its perils.

“If you lean too far over the side to catch your hat that blew off your head, you’re going for a swim,” Ms. Cartlidge-Thompson said. “But that’s the nature fo the beast with any of these boats. Don’t plan on learning how to kayak or canoe unless you want to get wet.”