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SEA KAYAKING SAFETY
By Team OEX Pro Staff Member Cris Provancha
By Team OEX Pro Staff Member Cris Provancha
Surf and Safety Tips for Kayak Anglers
S
ea kayaking offers physical exercise from relaxing to strenuous. Its participants seek adventure
exploring our local bays and inshore angling, with active paddle jocks well into their 70’s still
enjoying their wilderness.
exploring our local bays and inshore angling, with active paddle jocks well into their 70’s still
enjoying their wilderness.
Paddling a sea kayak is easy to learn, perhaps too easy. A novice can easily paddle and make mistakes
in many situations that a more advanced kayaker would avoid. In skilled hands kayaks are very
seaworthy craft. Proven to be a safe sport for those that have taken the time to learn the basic skills,
kayaking can be a richly rewarding form of recreation. The following information will provide you
with the equipment and skills needed in the event that hazards are encountered.
BE PREPARED
You must have skills and equipment adequate for whatever conditions you may encounter.
in many situations that a more advanced kayaker would avoid. In skilled hands kayaks are very
seaworthy craft. Proven to be a safe sport for those that have taken the time to learn the basic skills,
kayaking can be a richly rewarding form of recreation. The following information will provide you
with the equipment and skills needed in the event that hazards are encountered.
BE PREPARED
You must have skills and equipment adequate for whatever conditions you may encounter.
- Know the latest weather forecast. Wind is one of the kayakers most dangerous adversaries
and can increase in velocity quickly, take control of your kayak and make the paddle difficult.
Santa Ana winds here in Southern California are prominent and pose a real threat to the ocean
going kayak anglers. If caught in these strong offshore winds, then paddle forward to turn the
bow into the wind and backward to turn the bow downwind. Use powerful sweeping strokes
to one side that finish by strongly pulling the stern over. Do not brake or reverse, this will only
hinder the progress. A rudder will do more good if lifted in the up position for more windage at
the stern when turning into a strong wind. If left in the water take care not to angle the rudder
too much or the braking effect will hinder your ability to turn by slowing your speed.
- Understanding wave hazards. Learn to become comfortable paddling in the surf zone and
you will expand you fishing opportunities. Avoid shore breaks and look for beaches with
crumbling surf. Observe the surf before you launch. Big waves come in sets separated by
periods of relative calm. During this lull period commit to the launch and paddle aggressively
powering out past the zone. Hit any oncoming waves straight on. Angled approaches will turn
your kayak sideways and possibly send you back to the beachhead. Landing can be a more
difficult task. Once near the impact zone wait for the biggest wave of the set to pass, and then
paddle aggressively on its back. Soon the following wave will catch up to you. Learn to lean
back to keep the nose of the kayak from burying itself into the wave. If the wave turns your
kayak sideways, lean into the foam pile using your paddle for support. Take a surf, paddle or
fishing class from a local kayak shop or guide. It will pay dividends latter. We have all lost
gear at one time or another and the tips given in this class will help prevent any costly
donations to Davey Jones locker.
- Understand Currents and Tide. Calm inshore water can become very rough in the course
of a days outing. Currents can slow or stop your progress so plan paddling times to take
advantage of them. Currents create rough and confused water where they meet – a riptide.
When a current is moving in the opposite direction of the wave motion the wave length is
shortened, thus steeping the wave. If you paddle where currents are a factor then get a tide
chart and learn how to read them. “Tidal Current Charts” are available through NOAA or chart
dealers.
- Watch out for other boats. Stay well away from commercial vessels, and avoid crossing
channels and thoroughfares, especially in restricted visibility. Large vessels often cannot
deviate from their course and fishing vessels should be expected to operate on highly erratic
courses as they tend gear. Make yourself visible. Brightly colored kayaks, PFD and clothing
will help, but the most visible gear from a powerboats eye level will be the blade of your
paddle. Consider reflective tape if you use a black paddle.
- Be prepared for fog. In fog you will need a compass or a GPS.
Without it you will paddle in circles. If you do get stranded in a fog
bank without these navigation tools, then look for some means of
judging direction such as wave angle or a distant repeating sound.
CHOOSING SAFETY GEAR
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Make sure that your PFD keeps your head above water if you find yourself in a
capsize situation. Always wear a PFD as it is near impossible to put a PFD on in the
water. The PFD will also act as another layer to keep you warm while in the water.
Make sure that your PFD keeps your head above water if you find yourself in a
capsize situation. Always wear a PFD as it is near impossible to put a PFD on in the
water. The PFD will also act as another layer to keep you warm while in the water.
Knife
Make sure you have a stainless steel knife attached to your PFD to cut away anything that wraps
around you. Be careful with your equipment so as to not create a trap with your ropes, loose gear,
paddle leash (don’t use one in breaking surf).
Make sure you have a stainless steel knife attached to your PFD to cut away anything that wraps
around you. Be careful with your equipment so as to not create a trap with your ropes, loose gear,
paddle leash (don’t use one in breaking surf).
VHF Radio
Always carry a VHF handheld radio in your PFD and know how to use it. Typically
kayakers monitor channel 71 while private boaters monitor channels 69 and 72. The
Coast Guard can be hailed on channel 16 for emergency situations.
Always carry a VHF handheld radio in your PFD and know how to use it. Typically
kayakers monitor channel 71 while private boaters monitor channels 69 and 72. The
Coast Guard can be hailed on channel 16 for emergency situations.
First Aid and Signaling stuff
Always carry a first-aid kit. It contains everything I will need to bandage a
small cut or burn. If I embed a hook in my ear or hand, I want everything
to remove it, and patch it up. If one of your hands gets a 2/0 hook in it and
it stays there, how are you going to paddle back in? Also carry a real pair
of cutting dykes just for this. They are like King Stahlman’s Bail Bonds - I
would rather always have them and not need them, than to need them, and
not have them.
Always carry a first-aid kit. It contains everything I will need to bandage a
small cut or burn. If I embed a hook in my ear or hand, I want everything
to remove it, and patch it up. If one of your hands gets a 2/0 hook in it and
it stays there, how are you going to paddle back in? Also carry a real pair
of cutting dykes just for this. They are like King Stahlman’s Bail Bonds - I
would rather always have them and not need them, than to need them, and
not have them.
Make sure you have kit in your hatch that includes a whistle, flares, mirror or horns. In addition to
rendering first aid – you must have a way to attract other boaters or people on land to help you.
Without communication gear, you won’t be found or saved. Radios are only as good as the
batteries in them that are fully charged and operational.
rendering first aid – you must have a way to attract other boaters or people on land to help you.
Without communication gear, you won’t be found or saved. Radios are only as good as the
batteries in them that are fully charged and operational.
Extra set of paddles
What happens if one of your paddles breaks? Always use a paddle leash to prevent your main
paddle seperating from the yak. You may never use the extra set, but when the time comes, you
will be thankful they are there.
What happens if one of your paddles breaks? Always use a paddle leash to prevent your main
paddle seperating from the yak. You may never use the extra set, but when the time comes, you
will be thankful they are there.
Tow Lines
A simple rope can be attached onto the kayak deck at all times to be used in an
emergency. The tow line can be used to pull you to safety.
Bailing device
Have a means of removing water from a gear laden kayak. A hand pump and a
sponge can make quick extrication of unwelcome water in your hull. If in a
pinch and without either of these tools use your bait tank pump as a bilge pump
to eject the water.
A simple rope can be attached onto the kayak deck at all times to be used in an
emergency. The tow line can be used to pull you to safety.
Bailing device
Have a means of removing water from a gear laden kayak. A hand pump and a
sponge can make quick extrication of unwelcome water in your hull. If in a
pinch and without either of these tools use your bait tank pump as a bilge pump
to eject the water.
BE RESPONSIBLE
Know your limitations: You alone are the best judge of your own physical limitations, the capabilities
of your kayak, and most importantly, your ability to operate your craft and gear. Respect the
indiscriminate power of the sea along the exposed coast, and carefully avoid operating in restricted
visibility, including fog, rain, and darkness.
Voyage planning: When planning a voyage, no matter how short or simple you intend it to be, take a
few minutes to leave a float plan, including departure/arrival times, number of people and color of
kayaks, with a responsible friend. If it's a spur of the moment trip, write a plan just before you go and
leave it in an envelope marked "FLOAT PLAN" on the dashboard of your vehicle.
SAFETY IS A VERY PERSONAL ISSUE. WHAT EACH OF YOU DOES TO ENSURE YOUR
OWN SAFETY IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU AND TOTALLY IN YOUR CONTROL.
ACCORDINGLY, OEX, AND ITS PRO STAFFERS CANNOT/WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY RESULTING FROM THEIR ADVICE OR OPINIONS IN
THIS ARTICLE.
Know your limitations: You alone are the best judge of your own physical limitations, the capabilities
of your kayak, and most importantly, your ability to operate your craft and gear. Respect the
indiscriminate power of the sea along the exposed coast, and carefully avoid operating in restricted
visibility, including fog, rain, and darkness.
Voyage planning: When planning a voyage, no matter how short or simple you intend it to be, take a
few minutes to leave a float plan, including departure/arrival times, number of people and color of
kayaks, with a responsible friend. If it's a spur of the moment trip, write a plan just before you go and
leave it in an envelope marked "FLOAT PLAN" on the dashboard of your vehicle.
SAFETY IS A VERY PERSONAL ISSUE. WHAT EACH OF YOU DOES TO ENSURE YOUR
OWN SAFETY IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU AND TOTALLY IN YOUR CONTROL.
ACCORDINGLY, OEX, AND ITS PRO STAFFERS CANNOT/WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY RESULTING FROM THEIR ADVICE OR OPINIONS IN
THIS ARTICLE.
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