Watersport Safety

Christmas may be over but we've got a new list that you should be checking twice...

We're just as eager as you are to get out on the water, especially with any new snazzy kit you were lucky enough to recieve recently, but safety still needs to be in the forefront of your mind.

We've put together a basic checklist of what you need to consider before heading out. This checklist is generalised for most watersports but over on the RNLI website, you can select your activity and find a checklist of precautions tailored to that sport for more details: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity 

1. Communication. 
Always make sure to have your phone with you. Not only does it allow you to capture moments on camera, but if you get in to any trouble, you are able to call for help. Be sure to have your phone in a waterproof pouch for protection but also somewhere that you can reach it in case of an emergency; it's no good to you being tucked away at the bottom of a dry bag. 

2. Buddy up. 
This follows on nicely from communication. Try and go with a friend. The memories are shared and if either of you have a struggle, there is someone there to help you out. If this isn't an option for you for whatever reason, make sure to tell someone your plans before you head off; tell them where you are going, the route you are planning on taking and how long you are expecting to be. They will be able to alert the right people if you have been gone too long. 

3. Wear your buoyancy aid.
It doesn't matter if you are a great swimmer, alway wear your buoyancy aid. With so many different shapes, styles and sizes to choose from, there's no reason why you shouldn't be wearing one. Get a buoyancy aid that is more tailored to the activity you are taking part in and it shouldn't be a burden; i.e. get yourself a high back BA when taking out your kayak so you can sit comfortably, or find yourself a low profile BA for your paddleboard journeys so you can have full range of movement for paddling and making it easier to pull yourself back on to your board after falling in. For wild swimmers, take a brightly coloured tow float with you to use as floatation as well as allowing others to locate you easier. You can find more about choosing the right BA for you here.

4. Wear the right gear.
Similar to the point of finding the right BA for the activity and person, make sure you are wearing the right gear for the seasons. If you're planning on surfing in the winter, get yourself a thicker wetsuit to avoid your body getting too cold. If you are kayaking, get yourself a drysuit to avoid sitting with soaking wet clothes for long periods of time. Drysuits are ideal as you can alter what you wear underneath them, allowing you to use them all through different seasons.

5. Know your location.
Decide on a location and a route before heading out, allowing you to plan your journey and take any equipment you'll need. Knowing your location will also mean checking the water pollution, tide times, the weather forecast and wind direction/strength. The environment of your chosen location will change due to all these elements so make sure you are prepared. If the wind is too strong and weather forecast looks too rough, try and choose another time to go. The water will be there another day.

You can check these through different platforms: 
Water pollution: Download the Surfers Against Sewage app, Safer Seas & Rivers Service
Tide times: Met Office , Admiralty Easy Tide 
Wind and weather forecast: Met Office 

Finally, listen to your body and if you do get in to trouble, try to relax and remember float to live.