10 Basic Safety Tips for Sea Kayaking

Are you planning a sea kayaking trip?

It truly doesn’t matter if you are you just going for an afternoon paddle in a nearby sea or curious to enjoy Sea Kayaking Whitsundays. There is nothing more important than safety underwater. To understand the term “safety”, it’s crucial for you to know the essential things to get or not to get while kayaking.

Many severe climatic hazards or conditions can harm you during a kayaking adventure. Therefore, safety is a vital concern to discuss. So, in this post, we will give you 10 most important safety tips that you never overlooked while sea kayaking.

Read on to the tips below thoroughly and know what can make your kayaking adventure an enjoyable one & what can lead you to face complicated challenges.

Always Carry Essential Safety Gear

When you are a new paddler, it’s good to avoid miss happening or accident during the trip. You may have undergone some specific kayaking training or lessons. But carrying essential accessories with you must be your top-notch priority to minimize complications. Below are some of the vital sea kayaking accessories that you always carry with you.

• PFD
• Communication Device
• Headlamp
• Spare Paddle
• Bilge Pump
• Whistle
• Paddle Float
• Towline

Dress Up According To Weather

You never know the exact temperature of that place where you are moving. If you know it very well that you will get water everywhere; it’s essential to take hypothermia seriously. According to the Cold Water Survival Guide by the American Canoe Association, it’s necessary to wear a wetsuit or drysuit when you are going below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Always Wear a Life Jacket

Kyankers mostly avoid life jackets as they feel uncomfortable. But it’s the biggest mistake they ever made while going in the water.The lifejacket will provide you a high level of buoyancy and keeps you in a safe floating position. Try to carry lifejacket with high visibility colors & reflective patches.

Don’t Drink While Kayaking

Drinking, just for fun, can turn your enjoyment into a hazardous situation that can hurt or injure you severely. It doesn’t matter if you are drinking soft drinks or kayak many times, drinking alcohol; both can call unexpected risks.

Paddle Carefully

Choosing an appropriate paddle location will help you enjoy sea kayaking thoroughly. If you are going into the water that is not protected from wind and waves, then make sure you utilize your paddling skills carefully. Paddling into the peaceful bays, tranquil lakes, and narrow riverways without noticing current can lead you to face many challenges.

Don’t Go beyond Limits

Always be honest with yourself about your level of skill set and knowledge. If you’re not comfortable with some paddling conditions, don’t go. We know, challenging yourself and enhancing skills is one of the best pleasures of sea kayaking, but always kayak in a safe environment where you can seek help quickly. Don’t cross limits and practice new skills when you’re alone or in inadequate situations.

Prefer Going With Partner:

No matter how many times you’ve experienced sea kayaking, it’s always essential to avoid going solely. So, always prefer having a guide cum buddy with you. As partner’s rescue is faster than a self-rescue. Wherever you go under danger, your partner will help you to save your life.

Go on Smaller Practice Runs

“Practice makes human perfect”. If you believe it, then you can surely achieve it. And when it comes to the sea kayaking, if you don’t go for a smaller practice run, especially when you know your capabilities, then you can lack in having enjoyable kayaking.

Right?

Therefore, just for the sake of making your group happy, you should not go for longer kayaking trips. You give yourself small practice runs that help you to know your weaknesses or vice versa.

Check Local Weather Forecasts & Hazards

It’s another crucial thing to check before sea kayaking.

Checking the weather of a particular area can help you know what to bring during kayaking to avoid collisions. If you observe iffy or stormy weather, then don’t plan kayaking. If you are on the trip, then checking the vessel’s position regularly can help you stop your boat or pass others’ first.

Don’t Forget to Create & Share Float plan

Always create and share a float plan with your family or friends waiting for you on the island. And leave it to your beloved ones. It will help them analyze your location, kayaking direction, and boat in an emergency or an accident. Also, please keep a copy of the plan along with you & attach it to your vehicle.

Final Words:

These best 10 tips will surely help you to have a safe and enjoyable sea kayaking, no matter in Whitsundays Sailing Adventures or other islands of the world. If you follow them correctly, you will definitely enjoy your trip.

And, if you want to know more such tips, then comment us below. Nevertheless, if you have any doubt, then you can also ask us there.

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