Paddling is the most enjoyable way to discover nature and waterways wherever you live, whether canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding. The only problem with paddling trips is that they can be challenging to plan and execute.
Anyone who has traveled by sea knows that it can be both an exciting and peaceful way to see the globe. However, a paddling vacation needs a lot of planning, which can be scary for newbies to water activities. So, we will guide you through the choppy waters of paddle board trip planning.
Planning for Safety
When arranging a paddling excursion, safety is first and foremost.
Check your local watercraft restrictions and make sure you have the necessary in your canoe or kayak, such as life jackets, throw bags, and bailers. If you intend on running any whitewater portions, a helmet is also an intelligent choice.
Also, leave a copy of your itinerary with someone, especially if you're going to distant places with little mobile phone service.
Finally, always scout ahead if you're on an unknown river length. Canoeists with a lot of experience can stand up in their canoes, but pulling over to the side and looking around works just as well for the rest of us.
Pre-Planning for A Paddling Trip
Know the waterways you'll be paddling in. River and coastline guidebooks and topographic maps are excellent resources for trip planning. Consider other routes.
Determine the distance and time. Consider rest stops and a lunch break, and take-out points.
What you bring on a journey is everything you need to survive and save yourself. Water, food, maps and charts, emergency tools, and additional clothing are all included.
Make a Float Plan and contact someone who will notify others if you do not return on time.
Paddle to the best of your and your group's ability and constraints.
Water Etiquette and Behavior
Be a good swimmer who can handle themselves underwater, in flowing water, and surfing or current.
Wear a properly fitted lifejacket (Personal Flotation Device - PFD)!
Maintain control of the craft. Enter a rapid only if you are relatively confident you can manage it or swim.
Keep an eye out for risks and avoid them.
Keep an eye out for fog, especially near the shore.
Understand your mental and physical limits.
Members of a group must continually evaluate the conduct of others in their group.
When paddling, respect the rights of anglers and landowners.
Elements To Consider Before Embarking on A Paddling Expedition
The elements are powerful forces to be reckoned with, and we are talking about the following.
Water
Several elements are at work here, but the flow rate is the most important. River levels rise only when flow rates exceed safe paddling levels. When flow rates increase, it's best to travel upstream first when you're fresh and let the river assist you on the way back—fighting it when fatigued might lead to unintended consequences and sore muscles.
Keep in mind that you only have control of your board if you are moving faster or slower than the speed of the water. If you go with the flow, you are handing up control of your board to the water, which will take you anywhere it wants to go.
Check this Website to understand the tide and plan your trip.
Temperature
Wear proper attire for the temperature and other weather conditions, such as rain, and keep adequate spares on hand for the season.
Wind
You look out of the window and it looks like an ‘ideal’ paddling day - sun is shining, water is ‘looking calm’ But once out on your SUP you’re battling against a crazy wind and questioning whether you’re even moving forward with every stroke you take!!
The wind has the potential to wreck your paddling plans. It's not only that it has a chill element; if you have to fight against it, it may slow you down. Remember to think about the wind direction where you're paddling and how far you want to travel. Most decent applications will show both average and gust wind speed.
Everyone will have their own limits (it comes down to location, type of paddleboard, strength, confidence and willpower of the paddler) however as a guiding principle my wind limit for She SUPs paddles is 12 knots. Typically, 12 knots is going to make paddling challenging and risky for a group of beginner paddlers.
There are LOTS of sources that you can utilize from around the world to check the wind conditions, We recommend asking your local SUP School for what they use to find out what they’d recommend for your local area. different sources can show different forecast, always check a few sources before heading out. we suggest the following sources :
Sun
Seeing the sun out on our paddles is a lovely sight at this time of year. Although it is lower in the sky, it may still radiate harmful UV and HEV (High Energy Visible light) directly into your eyes. As a result, there is the possibility of both short-term and long-term eye impairment. It is essential to wear polarized sunglasses or, at the absolute least, a hat with a peak.
Conditions For the Paddling Trip
For use in flatwater:
Keep an eye out for changes in the water and weather, and be wary of fog.
Keep an eye out for types of boat traffic.
Pay close attention to all safety precautions.
Make sure that you are visible.
For Rivers and Whitewater
Stay on the inside of bends, and watch out for strainers! Strainers are anything like fallen trees, bridge pilings, undercut rocks, or anything else that lets the stream flow past it while holding you. Filters are pretty dangerous.
Circumnavigate low-head dams.
Keep an eye out for and avoid hydraulics (recirculating water back on itself)
If in doubt, go scouting!
For Coastal Regions
Keep close to the coast.
As you move away from the shelter, be sure you have the abilities you need to return.
Keep an eye out for wind and fog.
Understand the influence of wave height, wind speed (Beaufort Scale), and fetch on your journey.
Keep an eye out for any boat traffic or traffic trends.
Learn re-entry procedures BEFORE you need them, know how to re-enter your boat and how to assist others in getting back into their boats. Stay informed on tidal currents and how they affect you and your boat.
Keep an eye out for landings in the surf or traveling through the surf zone on the way to shore.
Conclusion
Paddling trips are a terrific way to see the sites and remain active. Still, they also have an unusually high percentage of accidents and deaths compared to other hobbies like motorized boating. Our purpose in describing how to organize a paddling trip is to enhance your knowledge of safer paddling techniques.
Follow these rules to have a fun trip while keeping yourself and your paddling mates safe. With appropriate preparation, we can lessen the likelihood that paddlers from all over may be injured. After you've taken these measures, you're ready to go! Have fun and happy paddling.
If you want more information, contact info@paddlengo.ca right now.