Learning from on the water

By: Bryan Martin

I love to paddle.  I have written about it more than once here (including here and describing what it means to me, June 2024).  It is my favorite way to interact with the water around me. Regardless of the craft, being on the water provides a different vantage point than being on the shore.  It can also allow you to explore further than being in the water. I like to get on the water for several reasons.  It could be for exercise, to restore my connection to nature, to further my learnings about the critters that call these waters home (you can float effortlessly over vast eelgrass beds!), or simply as an opportunity to get in the water when the paddle session is over.  Sadly, over the last few decades, I’ve witnessed some near misses and have read about more unfortunate mishaps related to vessel accidents than I care to remember.  What makes some of these particularly tragic is that many could have been easily prevented.  A near miss can be enough to scare someone away from paddling for years. Although we are nearing the end of the paddle season for many people, for this month’s blog post, I wanted to focus our attention on water safety, something we may often overlook.

Know the weather, know the water (training)

Growing up trying to emulate a surfing culture, the old adage was “when in doubt, paddle out!”.  It didn’t take me long to realize that this only applied to experts. The reality is that, before you even step on the seashore, by the lake, or the river, you should have some knowledge of the local conditions. When in doubt, ask somebody!  Even if you don’t plan on getting your feet wet.  Too many times people have ventured too close to the pounding waves and gotten swept out to sea before they knew what hit them. I’ve seen this over and over again in both comical (ah my shoes are wet!) to life threatening situations. If you are unsure, check with the locals.  Is it a sandy beach or rocky beach (steep rocky beaches tend to be exposed to bigger, more powerful waves). When you get a sense of the area, ask about tides, currents, and wind effects.   All too often I neglected to look at the weather and tide charts and gone out only to have the tide change and wind shift, cursing myself for not checking as I struggle to get back to shore.  The local weather can change on a dime when you are by the water with local squalls seemingly coming out of nowhere. Have an exit plan or at least a backup if a squall comes up and you need to bail quickly (more on that later). If you are at a local spot – keep track of the weather and tides when you paddle and learn to recognize where your limits are and try to stay within them. Remember that wind direction matters.  Is it blowing offshore? The sea might look calm from shore but it may blow harder the further you go out leading you to struggle coming back in.  Ideally you can get some training, such as through Paddle Canada’s skills training.  I’ve had the pleasure of doing many different safety courses for different vessels but one of my favorites has been Waterman 5 surfer’s recue clinic that I took with the Rustico Surf Club (https://www.rusticosurfclub.com/blogs/news/waterman-5-surfers-rescue-clinic, https://waterman5.com/ ).

Image 1: Surfer rescue training through the Rustico Surf Club.

Although not so much about your own safety, this was a wonderful course on how to help spot someone in distress and how to perform rescues. Not only might a course like this help you spot people in distress, but it might help you spot people that should not be heading out in the first place.  Don’t be shy to speak up if you know of tidal currents, big waves, or rip currents.  They will probably thank you for letting them know. Last tidbit before you step onto the beach – show up sober. Not only can alcohol and recreational drugs impair your judgement and reaction time, but it can also vastly affect your paddling abilities, including cardiovascular endurance.

Just wear it

You’ve decided to step into the blue – excellent. Now what else do you need? There are lots of bits and bobs that you could bring with you to increase your personal safety on the water, but I want to highlight a few key pieces. Unless you are surfing waves on a surfboard or sailing on a great big ship, you should always be WEARING a personal floatation device (PFD/’life jacket’). It doesn’t matter how well you can swim – you probably can’t swim that far, and I have yet to meet someone who can swim while unconscious. A rogue wave on a SUP and you smack your head going down is all it takes. According to the Drowning Prevention Research Center, the majority of recreational fatalities occurred with people who were not wearing a PFD.  I swim laps at the pool twice a week, regularly bodysurf, and practice cold exposure, yet I still wear a PFD every time I go out (bonus, it is a high-visibility orange) – you should wear one too.

Here are some other great tips for paddle safety:

Image 2: Summer kit – high-vis PFD, water, snack, sunscreen, phone with light in waterproof case, sunglasses, sandals, whistle tied to PFD, high-vis hat, VHF radio. I’m not affiliated or an ambassador but Vaikobi is one of the only paddle specific companies I’ve seen with good high-vis gear that has reflectors.

• Got a leash? Put it around your ankle (if you are on a SUP).
• If you are in a kayak, make sure to have a hand powered bilge pump to help you get water out of your kayak if it flips over. As well, try to practice tipping out at least once per year.
• If you are in a sheltered harbour, stream, or lake – bring your cellphone with you in a double ziplock bag. You never know when you will need to call for assistance – either for yourself or for someone else in distress. Bonus here is, if you have a ‘find my friend’ activated, folks on shore can see your last know location.  Just be aware that phones don’t work under water and unless you are wearing a PFD, good luck dialing for help while treading water. If you are going out further than cell service? Get an inexpensive handheld marine radio, just make sure you get the required training (ROC-M) that is required to use it.
• Water and emergency snacks. When the wind picks up, that 30-minute cruise might turn into a 1.5-hour slog.
• Make sure to have the appropriate clothing on – weather for sun, for cold, or for visibility. While you are at it, toss on some sunscreen, a hat, and some shades – the reflection off the water can double the feel of the sun’s rays.
• Have some sort of footwear on or strapped to your craft. You never know when you’ll end up in a pickle and need to walk – without shoes you could really cut up your feet (spoken from experience!).

Being seen

When on the water, it is best to be seen.  I used to wear my black wetsuit or my black PFD and grey hat while out paddling. It never really occurred to me that other people couldn’t see me – whether that was other vessels or safety personnel.  Tragically, a friend of a friend lost their life when, reportedly, their kayak was struck by a powerboat. Just like with land-based vehicles, drivers are not always paying attention to people engaged in active transportation. The news was shattering, as my regularly paddle across busy sections of our local harbour.  I still remember watching my wife paddle down the beach a few weeks later and noticing how quickly she “disappeared”, even while sitting in a yellow kayak and wearing light coloured clothing.  We have been focusing on replacing our old gear with high visibility versions, as these can be seen from much further away (see image 2 below).  Of course, bright colours alone can’t help you in all situations and you must remain vigilant where there is boat traffic. I certainly wouldn’t want to drift off to sleep while relaxing on a paddle board, as I have seen more than once.

Image 3: If the light reflects into your eyes at each stroke off your arm or your paddle, stand up folks can put the headlamp around their thigh instead, it works wonders!).

With changing of the seasons comes shorter days. In the fall, I often get out for early morning paddles hours before the sun comes up. If you are out in the dark, you absolutely need to have a light (it’s actually a legal requirement to have a light (see page 16 to see what else you need https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf ).  Even with the bright moonlight and lights along the shoreline, other vessels won’t see you – it won’t matter how hard you wave your arms. In the summer, I rely on my phone’s light function if I get caught out after dark but I carry a dedicated headlamp when I know I will be out pre- or post-sun.

Sometimes, a powerboater might have their head down or might not be paying attention. Make sure you have a loud whistle, like a Fox 40, tied to your PFD and in reach if you need to get their attention.  It can also double as getting someone’s attention on shore if necessary.

Oh so cold!

If you have grown up in Canada, chances are I don’t have to tell you that, the water here can be cold. Very cold.  So cold that, a few years ago, a father and young son perished when their April paddle led to disaster and the loss of both lives. If you are out paddling in the shoulder seasons or the winter, please wear a drysuit, wetsuit, or at least a partial. Nobody plans on going in drink but, when you do, you will realize how quickly you will get in trouble. I can “easily” swim 2 km in a pool but put in water that is around 5 degrees Celsius, I can barely make it 25 m!  Try it for yourself in a controlled environment.  It’s unbelievable how fast and how hard it can sap your energy to be in cold water. Add a few waves and some current and it’s even harder. Wear your PFD and have some sort of insulation from the cold water. I don’t want to dissuade you from going out in the cold, it’s a beautiful time with fewer people on the water, changing species assemblages, and even different prevailing wind directions. Oh, and remember those fingers, neoprene gloves or mitts go a long way towards keeping your hands warm and functional.

Don’t get bogged down (with the rest)

As I mentioned earlier, my plan was not to discourage you from playing on or near the water, its simply to help you do it safely.  You would be surprised at how little gear you really need. Take a walk along the shore – just check the weather and know what to expect. If you are going for a quick paddle along the shoreline on a nice day to search for seastars through the eelgrass – tell someone where you are going, put on your PFD, and make sure to paddle to your abilities – you are probably fine. As you expand your range and season, get some training from a professional and slowly incorporate some of the information above. Most of all – stick with a buddy, two is always better than one.  These adventures can be priceless, just make sure they don’t cost you the ultimate price.

Let’s change the narrative: When in doubt – don’t paddle out!

Note: This blog post is a quick summary of certain actions you may be able to take to better protect yourself while out enjoying nature and should not be a substitute for training or research. Know that each body of water, each person, and each paddle craft is different and you must be the judge of what you deem to be an acceptable risk.

About the Author

Bryan Martin grew up near the Baie des Chaleur in northern New Brunswick and, despite living, studying, or working in all four Atlantic Provinces, has never strayed far from the ocean. Being an outright ocean fanatic, you will often find him swimming, paddling, or advocating for the ocean. Bryan loves to connect with people about the sea, currently works as a climate change policy advisor, and sits on the CaNOE board of directors. He currently lives within a stones throw from the harbour in Epekwitk/PEI with his wife, two young girls, and ‘little’ black lab. This photo was taken shortly after getting caught in a squall!