HOW TO STAY SAFE ON THE WATER
There are many ways for you to enjoy getting out on the water, whether it be paddleboarding, kayaking or jet skiing. A seemingly calm, sunny morning can turn into a windy afternoon, which brings high waves and strong currents. Before you know it, you could be fighting the ocean to get back to shore.
This is not something that happens unexpectedly. Developing an understanding of how the sea behaves is the best way to stay safe on the water.
HAVE A PLAN
It is an essential part of getting out on the water that you are prepared for your trip. While you are not expected to plan for every eventuality, consider how to get there and back, as well as the environment you are boating in. To determine whether it is the right time to go out, there are few easy checks to perform.
Before heading out, follow these simple steps:
Check the forecast for the weather and wind
Have a look at the swell forecast
Find out if and when the area is affected by currents
Look up what time the tides are
Scan the chart of the area on Deckee to look for rocks, fishing farms, and more
All this information can be found online, for free. In fact, the Deckee weather button allows you to look at all this data in one place. The only thing you need to research separately is the local currents, which is easy to Google.
INTERPRET THE WEATHER FORECAST
It is all well and good to have all the information on hand, but while you are boating, you should be constantly checking the conditions to notice any changes in the weather.
Here’s a few things to bear in mind, in order to interpret this information:
Over 20 knots of wind is a little too much
A swell bigger than 1.5 metres can generate big breakers
Even a 1 knot current can be hard to fight without an engine
If the tide or wind are in opposite direction to a current, the sea will be rough
In a strong current, paddle perpendicularly to it to get to safety
Some rocks can be near (or on) the surface at low tide
WEAR A LIFE JACKET
Every time you go on the water, you should be wearing a life jacket. It has been proven that wearing a life jacket significantly increases the odds of surviving recreational boating accidents.
If you find yourself parted from your boat or watercraft, a life jacket will keep the user afloat in the water, giving you more time to be rescued.
It is advised that any lifejacket you purchase should adhere to the proper safety standards and regulations in your region.
THIS IS TOO MUCH! I JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN ON MY HOLIDAY
If this sounds like too much research for a casual excursion, you can always contact the local authorities, or ask the shop you rent your craft from for advice.
Alternatively, you could simply choose to paddle or windsurf in an area near a lifeguard tower.
Don’t rely on others to save you in an emergency, though. Make sure you are able to swim to safety (or on the spot), should you fall in the water.