Editorial: Before You Go

May 1994

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

by Alan Wilson

With the sport of kayaking growing at an amazing rate, there are many more paddlers on our waterways than ever before. While basic kayaking is easy to learn and the sport has an excellent safety record, we should all be constantly stressing the need for adequate preparation and appropriate gear.

It would do us all well to remember Joanne Turner's analogy from last year's TASK Symposium, that safety is like a three-legged stool, dependent on the paddler, the gear, and the environment. In preparing for any outing on the water, each of these requires attention.

The paddler - What shape are you in? What level of experience and skill do you have? Are you familiar with the area you are paddling in? Assuming you are paddling with at least one other companion, is this person more competent than you, or less? Are they relying on you? Are you relying on them? Have you both practiced self-rescues in various conditions? Have you done assisted rescues? Have you established an understanding on destination, the limit of the conditions you will paddle in?

The gear - Is your boat in good shape, with adequate flotation, waterproof hatches and a sprayskirt? How does it handle in varying conditions? Do you have all required and recommended safety gear (approved PFD, pump, means of self-rescue, signalling device, paddle and spare, flares, first aid kit, tow line, charts, tide book, compass, weather radio, VHF radio, repair kit, appropriate clothing, a wetsuit in cooler waters, rain gear, some emergency source of energy, a water bottle, matches, some shelter, a light if there is a chance of being out after dark)? Do you know how to use each of these? Are they all in working order?

The environment - Have you listened to marine broadcasts? Have you consulted a chart for the area? Have you consulted the tide/current tables? Are you familiar with the development of weather patterns in the area? Have you consulted local guides, residents, or kayak shop owners for advice and warning of local hazards? Are you prepared for deteriorating conditions?

The commercial kayaking industry through the Alliance of BC Sea Kayak Guides is currently hard at work refining safety guidelines for guided trips, recognizing the need for high standards. But all of us in the kayak community need to go out of our way to promote safety in recreational paddling and always remind less experienced paddlers of the preparations they need to make before heading out.

We strongly urge novices to seek the advice of experienced paddlers, find a club to join, visit a local kayak shop, take a course or trip with some of the expert-led companies listed in WaveLength, or attend events such as the Ocean Kayak Festival or the SKABC Symposium.

Inside this issue:

• The outline of a recent kayaking tragedy.

• Examples of well-organized group paddling.

• An article about an incident which arose very unexpectedly in the Baja this winter, proving the need to always be prepared.

• A book about marine weather hazards which suggests what to watch for.