Top Tips: Sea Safety and Equipment

The basics

·      Lifeguarded beaches are a great location; you can ask advice on launching, tides, wind etc.

·      Check the weather forecast – always avoid offshore winds.

·      Check the conditions when you arrive – wind direction and speed, waves and sea state (avoiding white horses).

·      Wear an appropriate buoyancy aid or personal flotation device (PFD).

·      Carry a means of calling for help (mobile phone in a waterproof pouch).

·      If paddleboarding use an appropriate leash (waist leash with quick release unless in surf).

·      Tell someone where you’re going (we recommend using the RYA SafeTrx app).

·      If in doubt – don’t go out!

Wind – the difference between onshore and offshore wind

This is the thing that probably catches out most paddleboarders, kayakers and canoeists. You can be having a great time on the water, zipping along and feeling super strong … then you turn around to head back to the shore and you get slapped in the face by a headwind that pretty much stops you dead. You realise the wind has pushed you away from the shore and you now have to paddle back against it. It only takes around 12mph (force 3) of headwind to make paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing difficult. And the Welsh coastline is a windy place! 

Avoid offshore winds!!!

Get the weather forecast and check the wind speed and direction; will the wind blow you towards the shore (onshore wind) or carry you away from the shore (offshore wind)? Offshore winds should definitely be avoided (unless you’re a pro surfer!). 

Get a forecast

There are two websites that can help you with this. The MetOffice is the go-to place for weather forecasts and includes wind direction and speed (if you select the ‘full beach forecast’ for a location it shows onshore/offshore wind graphics and tide times too). If you prefer something a little more visual, Windy.tv is a great secondary resource; it shows live (and forecast) wind direction and speed on a map, so it’s easy to see the wind direction and how it will change during the day. It also shows waves and swell direction, which can be handy. Both of these are also available as apps for iOS and Android.

Check the conditions when you arrive

When you arrive at the coast, look out for any windsocks and flags; if they’re flying fully extended then it’s probably too windy! Check which way they’re lifting - towards the shore (onshore) or away from the shore (offshore). Look at the sea ‘state’ too. Flat and calm usually means little wind. Waves or whitehorses usually means lots of wind. If it’s flat and calm near the shore with waves and whitehorses further out, that’s a sign that it’s an offshore wind and there’s more wind further out, which is best avoided – stick to the calm, inshore waters and be really careful not to be blown out!

Tides – know the flow!

OK, we’re going to be honest – tides are pretty complex and can be challenging to understand and master. Whole books have been written on them so it’s tricky to sum them up in a few paragraphs. The first thing is to have a healthy respect for tidal waters. Wales has some big, fast tides which change really quickly. The Severn Estuary has the second biggest tidal range in the world(!), up to a whopping 15m difference between low and high water and has flows of up to 6mph – which is hard (impossible?) to paddle against. That definitely deserves some respect! 

Tidal basics

So, here’s a quick tidal overview. The tides are driven by the position (and pull) of the moon and sun, so vary in height and time across a month. This means they follow a regular, predictable pattern; it takes a little over 6 hours for the water to rise from low to high (flooding tide) and a little over 6 hours to drop from high to low (ebbing tide). So high water occurs twice a day and low water also occurs twice a day. Knowing the time of high and low water is a good starting point! 

Generally, as the tide rises (floods) it will carry you towards the shore, and as it falls (ebbs) it will carry you away. However, the tide also flows along the coast, like a big river that changes direction every 6 hours, so it will also carry you up or down the coast as well as away or towards it. 

The speed of the tide varies from location to location and throughout the ebb/flood (usually the most powerful flow is mid-tide or 3 hours after high or low water). Where the tide is squeezed around headlands, between islands, or over shallows it will speed up (sometimes causing tidal races and overfalls). If you’re looking to venture out along the coast it is essential to know and understand the tidal flows in the area, as tidal races and overfalls can appear and build incredibly quickly.

What equipment do I need?

A ‘seaworthy’ paddlecraft is essential! If you’re not sure whether your paddlecraft is designed for the sea, check the manufacturer’s recommendations (usually available online). For hard-hulled (plastic/composite) boats check that the hull is intact (no cracks or holes), that the fittings are secure (seats, grab handles etc.) and the plastic isn’t brittle/UV-damaged. For inflatables check the board/kayak is rigid when pumped, has no leaks and any attachment points are secure.

A buoyancy aid or personal flotation device (PFD) is essential, whether you’re paddling a canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Ideally one that has been designed specifically for paddlesports (easier to paddle and swim in). 

For paddleboards a leash is also essential, so you don’t become separated from your board if you fall off (the wind can carry it quicker than you can swim). In tidal or moving water this should be a waist leash; it can be virtually impossible to reach and release an ankle or calf leash if snagged on moorings, buoys etc. in tidal flow/moving water. 

Another essential bit of kit is a way of calling for help; a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch is perfect. This should be carried on you (buoyancy aid pocket), not on your boat/board (in case you get separated from your boat/board). 

You’ll also need clothing for the weather (consider carrying spares in a dry bag), water, food, and sunscreen (fingers crossed you need it!).

Where to go

The safest option is to paddle at a lifeguarded beach, where you can get guidance on the tides and local conditions and have a safe and enjoyable time on the sea. 

Alternatively, a sheltered bay can offer a relatively safe environment. One that has a watersports shop or activity provider is ideal as you can ask their advice on tides and conditions (if they rent out paddlecraft then it’s probably a relatively safe location). If you know what time high/low water is you can show you’ve done your research before you ask them! Easytide will show the tide times for most locations around Wales.

If you want to venture further out or along the coast for an adventure the best advice is go with a certified activity provider or with a local canoe club. Alternatively get some training and gain some sea skills and knowledge! A few hours of training can really open up the coast for you, and you can get the most out of your boat or board! 

Some great courses are:

Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning Training (8 hours – for all paddlecraft, can be online or on the water!)

Paddle Safer (2 hours – all paddlecraft)

SUP Safer (4 hours – paddleboards)

Sea Kayak Award (2–3 days – sit-on-tops or closed-cockpit kayaks)

Coastal Sea Kayak Award (2– 3 days – sit-on-tops or closed-cockpit kayaks)

To find out about courses in Wales visit the Canoe Wales website or contact the Coaching and Development manager coaching@canoewales.com

If you do head out remember:

Floatation – use a buoyancy aid or PFD (and appropriate leash on a SUP).

Location – understand the local tide and wind effects.

Navigation – do you know where you are going? Take a chart, GPS or map.

Communication – taking a method of calling for help, telling someone where you’re going.

Education – do a course or some online learning.

Want to know more?

If you’d like to learn more about tides, tidal planning and nautical charts, or about carrying and using VHF, personal locator beacons (PLBs) or other ways or calling for or attracting help then keep an eye out on the Canoe Wales website. We’ll be releasing more sea-related blogs over the coming weeks! So, keep your eyes peeled!