Photo by Rob Varela / Star staff Beth Powis of Glendale practices recovering after her kayak capsizes last week off the beach north of Channel Island Harbor. Related graphic

Steve Holtzman has been kayaking since 1997 and didn't go through any training before his first trip.

"Looking back, I certainly suggest it," said the 58-year-old Agoura Hills man, a member of California Kayaker Friends. "It's usually very relaxing but it can be as exciting as you want it to be. It all depends on the weather, and that's something most beginners don't think about."

That lack of experience might have been a factor in last month's death of a woman off the coast of Santa Cruz Island. She had received an orientation and was wearing a life jacket, but still was swept away in the rough Pacific waters.

As summer approaches, the death serves as a reminder of the dangerous ocean conditions kayakers can experience, particularly first-timers.

"Someone gets injured or they die often because they are not experienced," said Amy Rigby, boating accident analyst for the California Department of Boating and Waterways. "Or, they may be experienced, but not in the Pacific waters. They are surprised by the conditions and not prepared for them."

Beth Powis of Glendale, right, helps fellow kayaker Chris Wood of Arleta right himslef while they rehearse techniques on recovering when a boat overturns

Grace Haung was thrown from her kayak when the weather turned rough May 29. She and six other Taiwanese visitors had been oriented about the Pacific Ocean's behavior and basic kayaking at 12:30 p.m., about three hours before they went into the ocean, said Yvonne Menard, spokeswoman with Channel Islands National Park.

By then, the winds had begun to pick up. Just two hours into their trip, the kayakers, seated in three vessels, were separated from one another. They floated in various directions, and two of the kayaks capsized, Menard said.

Haung was hoisted up by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and flown to St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, where she later died.

In the past 10 years, 105 canoeing and kayaking accidents have been reported throughout the state, Rigby said. Of those, 62 resulted in injuries and 47 in deaths.

During that period, 18 people were injured in coastal water accidents. Eleven were killed -- four in Ventura County, she said.

Kayakers should wear a wetsuit and life jacket and have devices to signal for help, experts say. They should always file a float plan that details their departure time and location, their destination and their estimated time in the water with park rangers or other officials who can look for them in case there's an accident.

Ari Danesh, right, of Agoura Hills watches as Rachel Morris of Ventura climbs onto her kayak while practicing safety maneuvers off the beach near Channel Islands Harbor

They are not required by law to take a course that teaches them how to kayak, but taking a boating safety course is key to being safe, experts say.

"It's a great sport to be fit. It's relaxing and it's fun," said Dawn Brooks, a kayaking and sailing instructor in Ventura. "It's not that expensive, but the best way to do it is to take a class."

Training courses can teach first-time kayakers how to maneuver the vessel in lakes and other flat, clam waters, and in the ocean with its swells. Guides also teach about basic safety equipment.

"Most people think they can't do it," Brooks said, "but it can be done."