WHere you at? I'm sure someone would invite you out for a trip. A lot of states have bowfishing clubs. I started out wading, but the boat is better, just cause you can cover more water. Below dams can be good for bank fishing as well.
As for the safety slides see here:
http://www.sullysbowfishing.com/snapback.asp

Both kinds seem to work the same to me. (Cable or AMS) As long as I don't look like the guy in the picture...