Hi Jimmy, Welcome to the club. Check out the “instruction” tabe above and you’ll see we have a beginner/intermediate WW kayak clinic April 21 and 22. It’s great time to get started. Sign up and post here to ask if someone could loan you some gear. You might also check out the St. Louis Canoe and Kayak Club. They have a website and FB page. That group also has a lot of very knowledgeable and experienced WW kayakers. They will have LOTS of advice about what you might need in a boat. good luck,
Dave Dickson