Kayaking can be a great way to make new friends, stay fit, and explore amazing new landscapes. However, there are some risks involved in any sport involving water.
Sudden changes in the weather can make kayaking very dangerous. If you do not check the weather forecast in advance or wear the proper clothing, you could get very sick, ranging from a sunstroke to hypothermia.
Kayak Safety Tips For Beginners
There are certain risks associated with kayaking, but following some basic safety tips will help you enjoy your experience.Our “Golden Rules” list of kayaking safety tips will help you stay safe on your adventure.
Work as a Team
It’s generally advisable to kayak in a group, especially if you’re a beginner. Experienced kayakers can get into trouble too if they’re paddling alone, as the weather and water conditions can be unpredictable.
If there is heavy rain upstream, it can cause the river to have rapids, which can be dangerous. Also, if the wind direction or speed changes suddenly, it can make paddling very difficult and can cause your kayak to tip over. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, it is best to have someone with you who can help keep you safe.
Try joining a kayaking club or taking a guided tour if you don’t have any friends with kayaking experience.
An experienced guide taking you out kayaking lets you have your own safe experience while learning from other more experienced kayakers.
This also allows you to share your emergency gear in case you need to abandon your kayak, which would lessen the chance of losing vital equipment.
Plan Your Route
To reduce the risk of kayaking, plan your route in advance and take into account the skill level of everyone in your group.
Stay close to areas of water that aren’t affected by wind or waves, and that you can swim to from shore.
If you want to go sea kayaking, you have to take a sea kayaking class first so you’re ready for the special challenges of that environment.
If you’re planning on going kayaking in the open sea, it’s important that you choose the right type of kayak and learn the proper paddling techniques.
You should always inform someone who is not accompanying you on your trip of your location and expected return time, as well as how many people are in your party.
The best way to avoid kayaking in dangerously fast-moving water or difficulty paddling due to increased wind speed is to check the weather conditions repeatedly during the lead-up to your trip, and ideally during your trip.
Practice Your Basic Safety Maneuvers
It’s important to learn how to roll your kayak and get back in it from the water before going on your first adventure.
It’s best to practice your drills in safe and shallow water with an experienced partner by your side, until you feel confident enough to do them on your own.
If you don’t think you’re good at rolling or getting back into your kayak, you should stay close to the shore where you can swim if you need to. Here are three basic safety maneuvers to practice.
The Capsize
One of the dangers of kayaking is capsizing, so it’s crucial to know how to handle it. If you’re in a sit-on-top kayak, it’s not too difficult to get out if it capsizes. However, if you’re in a sit-in kayak, you need to be able to release the spray deck and get yourself out of the cockpit while you’re underwater.
The Wet Entry
Exiting and then re-entering a kayak from the water is more complicated than doing so from land. If you have a partner to help support the kayak, it will be easier.
The Eskimo Roll
Rolling a kayak is a more advanced way to turn it upright after it capsizes, without getting out of the kayak. It’s best to learn how to roll from an experienced instructor, and practice in a pool or other area of flat water.
Dress Appropriately
When you are getting ready for your kayaking trip, it is important to wear the right clothes for the conditions. You need to dress for the water temperature as well as the air temperature. Even if it is warm and sunny when you start, being in cold water can make your body temperature go down quickly.
If you are paddleboarding in deep water or cold conditions, you will need to wear a wetsuit and gloves. Wearing thermal clothing underneath will help keep you warm, and wearing multiple layers will give you the best effect.
If you’re spending a lot of time on the water, you need to protect your skin from UV rays by wearing sunscreen and a long-sleeved shirt, and by staying in the shade.
You also want a comfortable shoe for long days on the water. Many people overlook shoes as an important part of their gear for kayaking. A good pair of shoes for kayaking should be usable on both land and water. You need to be able to scout and potentially portage your kayak in them, and they should stay on your feet in case of a capsize. You also want a comfortable shoe for long days on the water.
If you’re going to be frequently paddling in cold water where your feet will likely get wet, neoprene booties would be a worthwhile investment.
Before you set out kayaking, be sure to strap on a helmet. It’s especially important when you’re trying to navigate water that’s moving quickly, or is white water. A helmet will also protect your head if you capsize or fall while you’re getting in or out of your kayak.
Dangers Of Kayak Touring
In my opinion, it is essential to comprehend the risks associated with kayak touring in order to remain safe.
So, let’s talk about the scary part, shall we?
Potential risks and dangers of kayak touring to keep in mind include:
Sudden Weather Changes
While we might like to complain about weather forecasts, they are usually pretty accurate. However, sometimes weather can take us by surprise, like with a thunderstorm, strong winds and waves, or rain. It’s important to keep an eye on the sky to be prepared for anything.
Low Air & Water Temperatures
If you’re kayaking in colder weather, you’re at risk of developing hypothermia, which can be deadly. Hypothermia sets in quickly, and can kill a person in as little as one hour.
Prolonged Sun Exposure
The sun and heat can be just as dangerous when you’re out on the water because there is no shade and you can’t get away from the Sun’s rays. Dehydration, heat stroke, exhaustion, eye damage, and sunburns can all happen if you’re in the sun for too long.
Unpredictable Water Conditions
Just as the weather is unpredictable, so are water conditions. Tides, currents, and waves can change at any moment, making kayaking a thrilling but also dangerous experience.
Boat Traffic
Since kayaks are smaller than the average boat and sit lower in the water, they can be difficult to spot on the water. If you are kayaking in an area with a lot of boats, be careful of other boats – especially the large ones – and make sure your kayak is visible to others to avoid a collision.
No Land in Sight
Maintaining a sense of direction when there is no land in sight is much more complicated than you think. Getting lost at sea is a genuine risk.
Wildlife encounters
If you’re planning to kayak in an area with inland waterways, be aware of any potentially dangerous wildlife, such as bears, alligators, or crocodiles. You may also be at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and other pests if you spend a long time on the water.
Risk of Shark Attack
Although sharks are present in many bodies of water, the chances of being attacked by one while kayaking are very slim. Out of all fatal shark attacks, only 0.35% of victims were kayakers. However, kayakers are not completely safe from shark attacks as they can sometimes be mistaken for prey.
Essential Skills
Follow these tips to stay safe while kayaking: be cautious, make good decisions, wear the right clothing, and pick your paddling spot carefully.
Suitable Level Of Physical Ability
If you’re a beginner and figured that kayak touring would be a hop-in and hope for the best type of trip, I’m sorry to break it to you, but:
Paddling long distances is much more physically demanding and requires more technical skill than a short paddle close to shore.
Putting your skills and your body to the test can be exciting, but you need to make sure you can handle it. Know your limits and respect them.
In the hopes of helping you assess your level of physical ability and skills as realistically as possible, I’d like to ask you a set of questions:
- What is your current fitness level?
- Are you a strong swimmer?
- How much experience do you have with flat-water kayaking?
- How are your kayak paddling skills and stroke technique?
- Have you developed a kayak training program that focuses on strength, endurance, and core stability?
- Have you ever paddled long distances before?
- Do you know how to do a wet re-entry without assistance?
And since you’ll probably be paddling in a group, remember this:
The strength of your paddling group depends on the skills of its weakest member.
Safety-Related Skills
Beyond just being in good shape, you have to think about your skills. And no, I’m not just talking about your paddling technique:
It is not recommended that beginners go on multi-day, long-distance kayaking trips until they have improved their skills.
I’m talking about skills related to safety – knowing what to do if things go wrong and you have to rescue yourself.
A wet exit is when you bail out of your kayak into the water and then re-enter it. This is a very important skill for anyone who wants to paddle in open waters.
Staying inside your kayak is not always the best option; sometimes it is better to get out. So, you need to learn how to roll a kayak – the so-called Eskimo roll, a technique you can use to “right” a capsized kayak without getting out of it.
Navigation Skills
I’m not trying to scare you, but getting lost at sea is easier than you think. There are no landforms or landmarks you can use for orientation, only water in all directions.
You can’t go without a basic understanding of marine navigation, such as knowing how to use a kayak compass and read a map.
You will be more likely to get lost if you do not use a map.
If you are not confident in your ability to read a map or use a compass, now is the time to brush up on those skills. Knowing how to get around without relying on electronic devices will make travel much easier and safer.
Reading Weather & Water Conditions
I don’t mean to suggest that you don’t know how to check the weather forecast.
After checking the weather forecast and tide predictions, it is important to read the weather and water conditions to understand how they might impact your trip.
When preparing for kayak touring, you need to know how to load your kayak onto your vehicle.
You need to be aware of how the weather can affect the water, such as the effects of winds and waves on high and low tide behaviors and water levels, and the impact of tidal currents.
