Basic surf kayak safety

Beaches can be a fun and safe place to learn and develop kayaking skills. However surfing is not without its dangers and some safety knowledge is a must before getting on the water. A few basic points are listed below. If you don't get what they mean, or are new to the surf, you should seek instruction or join a club and go surfing with them. Intermediate and even advanced paddlers should take advantage of local knowledge about suitable breaks and their dangers; try the local surf shop, kayak club or ask on the NI Surf Kayak Forum (accessed via the forum link on this site). Surfing is all about having, fun but you owe it to yourself and others to be safe.

Safety Guidelines

Have the right equipment and know how to use it
(see equipment guide)

• Your kayak should be filled with buoyancy. Air bags or foam blocks should fill all the empty space behind the seat and in front of your feet. This can be a life saver as well as making your boat easier to lift and empty.

• A helmet will help protect your head, not only from hitting the bottom, but from impact with other surfers or your paddles.

• A buoyancy aid provides impact protection and warmth as well as helping you float.

• A full wetsuit, for surfing, is safer than a dry suit (or dry top and trousers). It is easier to swim in, adds buoyancy, can protect you from rocks or other impact and isn't life threatening if it gets a tear in it. You can wear a cag over it to prevent water going down your spraydeck tube and for extra wind protection.

• A good neoprene spraydeck will not implode as easily as a nylon one when a wave hits it, helping you avoid unnecessary swims.

• Ear plugs or a tight fitting skull cap can help protect against surfers ear (more info at http://www.faldoc.co.uk/surfers_ear.htm)

• Make sure all your equipment is in good working order

Choose the right break for your ability and find out about its hazards.
( see - surf spots guide)

• Is it sheltered or exposed?

• Are there rips or currents that can carry you out to sea?

• How strong are the rips, do you know how to recognise them and what to do if you are caught in one?

• Is the bottom sandy or rocky?

• How shallow is it where you are surfing?

• Does the bottom shape make for steep, powerful waves or sloping gentle ones?

• Is there easy access with nearby facilities or is it remote and hard to get to?

• Are there life guards on duty?

Get a good surf and weather forecast.
(see guide to surf forecasting link)

• Will the waves be big, powerful and dangerous (the bigger the waves the stronger the rips) or will they be smaller and more manageable?

• How strong will the winds be and will they be blowing offshore, making the waves steeper and adding to the risk of getting swept out to sea, or will they be onshore turning the waves into masses of white water?

• How cold will the water be and do you have the right equipment to keep you warm?

• What about the weather; is it nice with good visibility and will it stay like that or deteriorate?

On the water

• When learning stay away from other water users as collisions can be potentially fatal and a flooded kayak being carried to the beach by a wave is a real danger.

• Until you can consistently catch and surf green waves with ease and control it is best to stay clear of other surfers. You don't need the best waves for learning and by moving down the beach to an empty peak you will be able to catch many more waves.

• Paddle out around the surfing zone to avoid collision and spoiling other surfer's rides.

• When paddling out over a wave, make sure there is nobody behind you in case you get carried backwards by the wave.

• When paddling out, if someone is surfing towards you, paddle for the white water that they are surfing away from to avoid collision and spoiling their ride. Don't hesitate or change direction at the last minute as this will make it harder for the surfer to avoid you. If they haven't seen you, call out and be prepared to capsize if collision is unavoidable.

• Before catching a wave look right and left for someone already surfing, and straight ahead so you don't run anyone over.

• If you are surfing towards someone it is up to you to avoid collision as you have more manoeuvrability on the wave than they do paddling out. To be on the safe side the best course of action is usually to turn off the back of the wave. If you can't do that then it is generally safer to go straight down the wave and turn round the back of the person than to try and surf across the wave, in front of them. If all else fails capsize to slow your speed and protect yourself.

• In the event of a swim hold onto your boat and paddles and try and make your way in to the beach. If it's not too deep wading is the easiest way; remember to keep your kayak in front of you so that waves can't knock it onto you. If it's too deep for wading, lie on top of your kayak and swim in using the waves to help. If you are in a rip, swimming against it is exhausting and you are unlikely to make any progress, much better to swim across it, parallel with the shore, to an area where the waves will help push you to the beach. Otherwise wait for assistance from other members of your party and follow their instructions as they help. When you get to the beach, be careful handling your flooded kayak.

• When rescuing a fellow kayaker, a few of the many options are:

  1. Shepard them into the beach, taking care not to get carried onto them by a wave

  2. Assist them (swimmer lies on your back deck holding onto the cockpit rim) or their equipment to the beach.

  3. X rescue beyond the break line

  4. Don't get caught out by a bigger set of waves.

  **All these techniques need practise - go on a course or train with your club.

• Come in before you are exhausted. It can be all too easy to keep going back for one more wave until you have no energy left. Then your chances of a swim or other incident will be much greater and your ability to deal with it much less.

• Learn about surfing etiquette [link - guide to surf etiquette]. This is not just about good manners but is based on common sense and safety as well as fair play.