Safety at Sea

Seafaring is more enjoyable with knowledge. Following these guidelines does not guarantee your safety on the ocean, but will help.

  1. Evaluate the weather: Check weather forecasts, on the Internet (www.weathersa.co.za) and newspaper, look and understand clouds curling, wind strengths and direction.
  2. Fast moving or developing clouds usually indicate dangerous weather approaching. Beware of mist. If you have no worthwhile opinion of future weather, rather don’t paddle!
  3. Offshore wind conditions should be avoided.
  4. Always paddle with at least one other person. There is safety in numbers. If alone, only paddle as far from the shore as you are prepared to swim.
  5. Avoid the areas of rogue (unannounced) breaking waves. Talk to the locals about sea conditions in the area and dangerous spots.
  6. If conditions are challenging, don’t bow to (or apply) pressure to go out. Never exceed your level of competence.
  7. Always tell someone that you are going paddling. (Make sure that they know to call the Port Captain at 021-449-3500 if they suspect that there is a problem). (NSRI is 083-677-0664).
  8. Give full details: where you’re paddling (start and finish); Estimated launch time and expected return time; Boat identification details (size, colour, boat make); Your identification details (e.g. clothing type and colour); Your skill level.
  9. Remember contact your ‘shore buddy’ on your return. Time is critical: quick action from you or your ‘shore buddy’ will bring about a quick response. Always do ‘the right thing’ on the water to avoid unnecessary searches.
  10. Attach a leash between your paddle and foot strap. This will help you to keep your boat that may save your life.
  11. Ensure that your surf ski, paddle, rudder etc are in a good working condition. Leave rudder cover off for emergency repairs.
  12. Safety equipment should be attached to yourself not to your ski.
  13. Wear clothing appropriate to the conditions, as hypothermia sets in quickly, e.g. thermal top, neoprene shorts and booties. Wear bright colours so that you can be spotted easily in the event of a rescue. Apply sunscreen before starting out (SPF 15 or above), and also wear a hat.
  14. Never leave shore without wearing a life jacket. Your life jacket should have pockets to hold safety equipment such as a whistle, flares (read operating instructions before you start paddling), glow stick, a signaling device (e.g. mirror), cell phone (in a waterproof pouch) and a compass.
  15. Drink plenty of liquids before and during a paddle, especially on longer distances.
  16. Take care exiting and entering the shore. Wait for a break in the wave sets before making your move. Watch out for others in the surf.
  17. Should practice getting into your ski in deep water.
  18. If you fall out of craft in windy conditions, the wind will push your craft to the board side to the wind. Do not attempt to fight this. The wind will always win. When you attempt to get back onto the boat, do so from the up wind side of your craft. If you attempt to get back onto your craft from the downwind side, you will be unstable. i.e. in windy conditions get back on your craft from the upwind side of your craft, submerge yourself and use the rebound bouncy (energy) to assist in the rebound. Especially if wearing a PFD.
  19. Exit and enter harbours on the right hand-side. Make sure other craft are aware of your intended path. If on a head -on course, both craft should generally move to the right. Over accentuate your intended change of path as an indication to the approaching craft. Keep out of high speed ferry routes. Remember many craft will not see you. Be aware that you may be invisible to vessels looking into the sun" while your view is perfect.
  20. If you fall out your craft in windy conditions, the wind will push your ski broadside to the wind. Do not attempt to fight this. The wind will always win. When you attempt to get back on the boat, do so from the upwind side of your ski. If you attempt to get back onto the ski from the downwind side you will be unstable. IE In windy conditions get back on the ski from the upwind side of your ski.
  21. If you find that you are unstable and keep falling off your boat. RELAX. Throw your torso over the ski. When you are comfortable, straddle the ski still lying down and then sit upright still with your legs on either side of the ski. Start paddling with your legs still out the ski. When you feel more stable put your legs into the foot wells. If you are paddling with a mate, Get him/her to come next your boat and steady it.
  22. A Helicopter rescue. Take note that the down draft will knock you off your boat.
  23. When rescued, must lesson to all instructions and obey the instructor.
  24. When paddling around river mouths, remember sharks hang out in these areas.
  25. If you do ride the wake of any vessel, only do so if you are SURE the skipper is aware of your presence and you are not distracting him / her. If you are waved off, do so immediately.
  26. During a race in heavy weather never raise your voice or shot unnecessary. Paddlers around you are bound to pay attention to you as you maybe in trouble. This is distraction to competitors and could result in other paddler swimming while trying to look around and behind them to identify the source. Remember competitors face exclusion from the event if assistance is not given to other competitor in trouble.
Reason to Wear a PFD or Life Jacket
  1. Pockets cellphone / Flares / radio
  2. When cramping will help you float and relax.
  3. Dehydration that may cause possible fainting / black outs when training or in racing conditions.
  4. Will protect the torso if washed against rocks.
  5. Provide buoyancy in case of severe medical complication, i.e. heart attack / stroke related problem.
  6. Easier for assisting paddler
  7. Helps to retrieve conscious and unconscious paddlers abroad a support boat.
THE GOLDEN RULE:

NEVER LEAVE YOUR CRAFT.

It is your most reliable form of buoyancy and will indicate where you are to rescue craft.