GRAND RAPIDS, Ohio — The warmer weather and relaxed restrictions have more people wanting to be out on the river. But, the Waterville fire chief and a local kayak shop owner want to make sure you're safe before you go.
With the multiple water rescues over the last week, there are some things you need to know before you take a trip on the river.
"Absolutely always wear a life jacket while you are kayaking on the Maumee. If you get separated from the kayak without a life jacket on, there's a good chance you might not survive," Tim Buchanan, owner of Riverlures Kayak Adventures, said.
According to Buchanan, there are multiple factors you have to consider before going out on the water.
"First and foremost, you have to know what the river is doing. The river fluctuates constantly as far as its level, water flow and speed," Buchanan said.
Those components change drastically as you travel from Grand Rapids toward Waterville.
Waterville Fire Chief Doug Meyer says currently, parts of the Maumee in his area are not for leisure kayaking.
"The rapids are still changing, the construction has made it difficult, this is for people that are experienced kayakers that know swift water," Fire Chief Meyer said.
With the lock down and people wanting to enjoy the river, Buchanan says he understands them wanting to go out but there are days that some people should not be on the water.
"I have a team of scouts. We go out ourselves and inspect the river, all the different channels around the islands and we make a judgement call based on what we see and what we find whether we actually let people go down the river in our kayaks," Buchanan said.
If you're not experienced in swift water kayaking, Fire Chief Meyer recommends finding an area that has calmer water.