Kayak Safe 2023 by KASK base presentation

1. KayakSafe NZ
A presentation from the
Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers
(KASK) kask.co.nz
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2. Skills
Safety
Fun
Giving Voice to
Paddlers Since
1992
New members welcome – join at kask.co.nz
KASK
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3. Why do we kayak?
• Friends and
whanau time
• Fitness
• Exploration
• Fishing
• Expeditions
• Fun!
Over 10% of Kiwis
kayak each year
BUT
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4. New Zealand kayaking fatalities
2015-2020
Other kayaks - 7 deaths
4 capsized or went overboard
3 pinned
on rocks
(river)
Sit on top kayaks – 8 deaths
All capsized
Plus many other near misses……
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5. Which two items should you
ALWAYS take kayaking?
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6. 1. Life jacket or personal flotation
device (PFD) – which one?
Size on chest
circumference
(not weight, except for children)
Women-
specific PFDs
available
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Life jackets
PFD

7. 2. Two means of
communication
• Mobile phone
• VHF radio
• Personal locator beacon
• 2-way Satellite
communication device
(SPOT, InReach etc)
• Whistle
Pro tip!
Protect electronics in
waterproof pouches
and keep them on your
person
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8. What three things should you
do before you leave shore?
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9. 1. Check your W’s
Wind Waves
Water temperature Weather
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10. https://www.metservice.com/marine
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11. How to read a marine forecast
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12. Wind – when should I paddle?
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
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Beaufort
number
Description Wind speed Sea
conditions
Land conditions
0 Calm < 2 km/h
< 1 knot
Like a mirror Smoke rises
vertically
1 Light air 2-5 km/h
1-3 knots
Ripples like
scales
Smoke drifts,
wind vanes still
2 Light
breeze
6-11 km/h
4-6 knots
Small
wavelets, not
breaking
Wind felt on
face, leaves
rustle
3 Gentle
breeze
12-19 km/h
7-10 knots
Large
wavelets, crest
start to break
Leaves, twigs
move. Flags flap
4 Moderate
breeze
20-28 km/h
11-16 knots
Longer waves,
white horses
Small branches
move, dust lifts
5 Fresh
breeze
29-38 km/h
17-21 knots
Many white
horses, chance
of spray
Small trees
sway, flags fully
extended
6 Strong
breeze
39-49 km/h
22-27 knots
Large waves,
white foam,
spray
Larger branches
shake, wind
whistles

13. Beware of offshore winds
Kayakers can be pushed out to sea and into rougher
conditions
It can be hard to get back!
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Pro tip:
Check windy.com
for overview of
wind, waves,
water temp

14. Beginner: < 0.5m swell
Intermediate: up to 1.0m swell
Pro tip:
Time your paddle
to go WITH the
tide!
Waves – when should I paddle?
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15. Local conditions
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16. Cold water?
Dress for
immersion
(even on a hot day)
Water temperature – what to wear?
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Cold shock
Hypothermia
Vertigo (cold
water in ears)

17. Weather
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Rain Electrical storms
Fog Darkness
May affect your paddle in many ways (apart from wind)

18. 2. Check your gear
Deck and bungee lines solid?
Rudder or skeg cables working?
Straps and seats all sound?
No leaks?
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19. 3. Tell someone your plans
• Tell a friend or whanau member
• Leave a note on your vehicle
• Log an entry on the Coastguard
app
• Check in with your local
Coastguard via VHF
Available at coastguard.nz
Intended
route
Number/
names in
party
Expected
return time Vehicle reg
VHF call
sign
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20. One Page
Summary
- July 19.docx
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21. What should you NOT do before
or during your paddle?
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22. 22

23. What two things should you be
aware of on the water?
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24. 1. Boat traffic
• Be aware
• If it’s bigger than
you, give way!
• Be seen!
(bright colours, reflective
tape, flags, white light at
night)
• Keep right
• Keep out of
shipping channels
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25. 2. Changing conditions
Watch for rising winds, changing
tides, currents, incoming squalls,
changing water
Keep an eye on
other kayakers in
your group
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Take a head count.
Tired? Hungry?
Dehydrated? Sea sick?
Hypothermic? Sun
burnt?
COMMUNICATE!

26. Have
PFD
Marine
forecast
OK
Checked
gear
2 forms of
comms
Left your
intentions
Not
drunk or
high!
Aware on
the water
BUT
Something still goes wrong?
Dressed
appropriately
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27. What should
you do in an
emergency?
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28. • Stay calm
• Hold on to your kayak and your paddle – wind and waves
can easily push kayak out of reach!
• Right the kayak and get back in/on if you can
• If needed, seek help
• Other boats
• Call Coastguard
Pro tip:
Seek instruction
on how to
rescue yourself
and others
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29. Seek help early
• VHF radio: Channel 16
• Mayday (life in danger)
• Pan Pan (non-life threatening)
• Call 111
• Activate Personal Locator Beacon
(PLB) or SPOT, InReach
• Wave paddle / hands to indicate
distress
• Use whistle to attract attention
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30. Local VHF radio channels
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31. Want to learn more?
• KASK Paddler Information Centre: kask.co.nz/info/
• Australia NZ Safer Boating Education Group
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyP15whl2LU
• Maritime NZ:
https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/content/recreational/kayaks-and-
canoes.asp
• Online Sea Kayaking – subscription-based. Discount available for KASK
members: https://www.onlineseakayaking.com/
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32. Please don’t be a statistic!
Be safe.
Be prepared.
Be aware of the environment.
But still have fun.
Photo courtesy of Stuff.co.nz
Prep. Check. Know.
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