East paddleboarders urged to stay safe after increase in the number of callouts
The number of people in the UK and Ireland whose lives were saved by crews while kayaking or canoeing more than doubled last year
A Local instructor says people need to be aware of the dangers before trying to paddle board.
This follows the number of people in the UK and Ireland whose lives were saved by crews while kayaking or canoeing more than doubled last year.
The RNLI has teamed up with British Canoeing to educate those using kayaks, canoes or paddleboards about the risks.
We spoke to Rory Townsend from Bush Adventures UK, which is based in Suffolk, who recommend doing some research into paddle boarding and taking classes before going out onto the water.
Bush Adventures UK welcome groups from Essex.
What you should know?
- Wear appropriate clothing:
- Clothes that won't get heavy. Clothes that will keep you warm. Make sure you wear a buoyancy aid, even in shallow water and make sure it fits you properly. Wear leashes.
- Don't go out on your own:
- Make sure you have at least 3 people. If an accident occurs one person can stay with whoever is in trouble and the other person can go get help.
- Bring your phone:
- You'll want a way to contact people
- What's the weather like?
- People need to keep in mind that just because it looks sunny, it doesn't mean it will stay that way, and it doesn't mean the water's warm. Which can lead to cold water shock. Wind speeds and the tide can also impact your safety.
Things that can keep you safe
Rory went on to tell us about some of the things they teach beginners, such as how to get yourself out onto the bank, or how to get yourself back into your boat or onto your board.
How to rescue other people from the bank or their board safely. Rory explained how if you jump in to try and rescue someone, the person in trouble's reaction is often to grab onto the other person, which can put both people in danger.
Rory recommended using a throw line.
Rory explained how accidents can happen quickly and shared some that he knew of.
"I had someone capsized kayak on white water and smash their front teeth out.
"...A friend of mine got caught in recirculating water at the bottom of a Weir and almost drowned.
"The only incident I've ever had when I was coaching was a canoe capsized. But the old couple were in the water, but the heads were in the air pocket of the canoe, it's a very tame one. That's the only one I've ever had while I was coaching."