Dangers
As with all water sports, surf kayaking carries inherent risks. Participants should gain experience in various swell heights, and wear suitable safety equipment. One should wear a helmet, and suitable PFD. The dangers of cold water immersion, leading to Hypothermia should be addressed by wearing a Wetsuit, Drysuit, or other suitable insulation.
Sea kayak touring sees many injuries associated with accidents in the 'Surf Zone'. Techniques used in landing loaded sea kayaks through surf generally involve following behind the crest of a wave to avoide broaching in following seas. It is very helpful for the sea kayaker who wishes to land through surf to develop a very strong "low brace" in which he/she leans out to sea on the flat blade of the paddle, thereby providing support and hopefully avoiding have the kayak flipped toward the beach.
When kayak surfing in areas frequented by traditional surf boarders, follow surf zone ethics (do not drop in or snake waves, and give right of way). If possible consider paddling a break free of surf boarders. Collisions between other surf kayaks boats or surf boarders can cause significant injury. It is suggested that novice surf kayakers select breaks which are small and gentle (just look for the typical beginner spots that novice surfers frequent). Also, because it is fairly easy to paddle a kayak several miles in search of waves, the surf kayaker can often explore sections of the coastline which are inaccessible to the average board surfer.
At least one surf kayaking death has been recorded:
- A 27 year old male died while kayak surfing on Bastendorf Beach, Oregon. He was surfing alone, and was wearing a helmet, PFD, medium weight insulation. He was known as an experienced paddler.
Read more about this topic: Surf Kayaking
Famous quotes containing the word dangers:
“Anyone with a real taste for solitude who indulges that taste encounters the dangers of any other drug-taker. The habit grows. You become an addict.... Absorbed in the visions of solitude, human beings are only interruptions. What voice can equal the voices of solitude? What sights equal the movement of a single day’s tide of light across the floor boards of one room? What drama be as continuously absorbing as the interior one?”
—Jessamyn West (1902–1984)
“One of the dangers of the American artist is that he finds himself almost exclusively thrown in with persons more or less in the arts. He lives among them, eats among them, quarrels with them, marries them.”
—Thornton Wilder (1897–1975)
“Fearlessness is a more than ordinary strength of mind, which raises the soul above the troubles, disorders, and emotions which the prospect of great dangers are used to produce. And by this inward strength it is that heroes preserve themselves in a calm and quiet state, and enjoy a presence of mind and the free use of their reason in the midst of those terrible accidents that amaze and confound other people.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)