Kayak & SUP Paddling Safety: Risk Factors
7-minute read
Paddling is a wonderful way to enjoy nature, get some exercise, socialize, challenge yourself and have some adventure. Know and follow basic paddling safety and you’ll enjoy it for years to come.
(Photo courtesy of @blazin_paddles)
Most paddling activities aren’t high-risk compared to many other outdoor pursuits. But the unthinkable can still happen. Each year, there are a few unfortunate cases of paddling injuries and even deaths.
Answering these two questions can help us be more aware of safety when we’re on the water:
- What are the risk factors when kayaking and SUPing?
- What can we do to reduce those risks?
Risk Factor #1: Water
The first risk factor that’s built-in to all paddling sports is water! It’s water that makes the paddlesports possible, but we need to approach it with respect. Thankfully, this can also be the easiest risk to control…
Reduce the Risk
First, wear your life jacket! In the majority of drowning cases each year, most paddlers were not wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device—a life jacket).
You’ll be happiest with one that fits your body shape and size comfortably and that’s designed for paddlers, giving you plenty of shoulder freedom. Many life jackets come with D-rings and zipped pockets to stow away small items like a car key, lip balm and sunglasses.
Another important factor here is to stay off water environments that are above your skill level. Small flatwater lakes and slow-moving rivers with little boat traffic are the best places to start with.
You can always increase your skills by taking local courses or going with friends who are more experienced and learning from them.
One more we’ll mention here: use the kayak that’s designed for the water you paddle. For example, don’t try to use a recreational kayak on whitewater or a whitewater kayak on the ocean. Your local paddlesports retailer can help you find the boat that’s right for you and where you’d like to paddle.
(Photo courtesy of Five2Nine Media)
Risk Factor #2: Hypothermia
Hypothermia can always come into play when the water temperature is below 60º F (15.5º C), or the combination of water and air temperature is below 120º F (50º C). Even with a life jacket, hypothermia is dangerous.
This is something that never crosses the minds of many of us, especially when we’re out paddling on a beautiful, warm day. Anytime you kayak or SUP on a body of water that stays cold all year long, though, it’s a factor.
High-altitude lakes, deep northern lakes, very large lakes like Lake Superior—all can stay dangerously cold even during the hot summer months. Cold water is also a factor in early spring or late fall in northern climates and during the winter in warmer climates.
Depending on the water temperature, hypothermia can set in within a few minutes if you should happen to capsize and can’t get to shore or re-enter your boat quickly.
Reduce the Risk
Embrace: “Dress for Immersion.” Your best option is to wear a dry suit over your other clothing. These are pricey, though, so for a cheaper option, opt for a wetsuit. Dry suits keep the water out completely while wetsuits keep a thin layer of water inside that’s kept warm by your body heat. You’ll still feel the cold from the water, but they’ll give you more time.
The worst thing you can do is wear materials that stay wet and are heavy when wet, like cotton tees and hoodies, flannel and jeans. Apparel made from quick-dry, wicking materials works well for paddling. (Wool is also a solid choice for a natural fiber, as it retains its warmth even when wet.)
When you paddle on cold water, stay close enough to the shore that you can swim there easily if you should need to.
If you’ll be in a remote area like a wilderness lake, bring along an emergency kit in a dry bag that includes items like a mylar emergency blanket, a change of clothes and a fire-starting kit. Just in case.
(Photo courtesy of Headwaters Kayak)
Risk Factor #3: Hazardous Water
Strainers (downed trees and branches), fast currents, heavy rains that cause high water and flooding, strong wind and waves—all can be hazardous for kayakers and SUPers. Other examples are tides and tidal currents that occur in oceans and in larger rivers that spill into oceans.
Some of these hazards can be predicted (i.e., tides), while others depend on the weather conditions (i.e., recent heavy rain). And some can change continually, even from one week to the next, like strainers in a river.
Reduce the Risk
Know what the water conditions will be like before you launch. As we mentioned already, avoid water conditions that are above your skill and experience level. Always check the weather forecast before you go. If it’s available, read online forums or Facebook groups about specific waterways in your area. Members will often comment on recent conditions.
It’s also important that you learn and become proficient at your paddle strokes. Be able to move forward, to back ferry, to turn quickly. And just be aware when you’re on the water. Learn how to read river flow, watch for hazards and use your paddle to keep you where you want to be.
Risk Factor #4: Collision with Other Objects
These can be stationary objects like downed trees, rocks, boulders and even the shoreline. It can also be a collision with a fast-moving object that’s also on the water—a motorboat.
Reduce the Risk
The best prevention is to be aware of your surroundings all the time. In some lakes and rivers, fallen trees and large boulders can sit at or just below the water’s surface.
As far as other boats, your best strategy is to stay away from areas where these bigger, faster boats are common. When you do kayak or SUP on popular waterways, think high visibility. Make yourself easy for others to see with a brightly colored kayak, PFD, paddle or shirt. Drivers of these boats aren’t generally looking for kayakers, so be sure you’re not camouflaged.
If you paddle very big water and you find yourself in the path of a larger motorized boat, keep your group together as much as possible so you’re easier to see. In these types of waters, it’s important to know and follow right-of-way rules.
(Photo courtesy of Emily Hendricks)
Risk Factor #5: Solitary Paddling
One of the best things about paddling is getting away from the noise and bustle of life. Kayaking or SUPing alone can be ultra-relaxing and provide some real self-therapy.
Being on the water alone also means there’s no one around to help if you run into trouble. While that doesn’t mean you should never paddle alone, it’s important you understand the risk and do what you can to reduce it.
Reduce the Risk
Of course, the best prevention is to paddle with others. But that’s not always possible or desirable.
At the very least, let someone else know where you’ll be, your route and when you plan to be back—that’s known as your float plan. Bring your fully-charged phone with you and keep it in a water-tight container like one of those waterproof phone cases you can wear around your neck with a lanyard. Also, bring emergency items like a whistle and light.
Review #2 on our list, and be sure you dress for immersion and the weather conditions. And like we said there, it’s a good practice to stay close enough to the shoreline that you can swim to it if you should capsize.
If you paddle alone routinely, it’s essential to learn self-rescue skills. Practice them on a warm, calm day until they become easy. And certainly stay on water that matches your skill level. One of your best solo kayaking or SUPing strategies is to take courses through the ACA (American Canoe Association) or whichever organization serves paddlers where you live to grow your skills.
(Photo courtesy of Emily Hendricks)
An understanding of the risk factors involved with kayaking and paddle boarding is part of these paddlesports. Reducing those risks by applying the practices we’ve described here will help you stay safe on the water and get real enjoyment out of these activities for many, many years.
[This blog was first written in 2017 and has been revised and updated.]
Our friendly Wisconsin-based customer service team is ready to help you with your paddling questions! Contact us at 715-755-3405 or sales@aquabound.com
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