More than 1M people are now taking part in kayaking and canoeing every year in the UK. These are traditionally river and lake sports but in recent years the RNLI has seen a significant increase in canoeing and kayaking incidents for both lifeguards and lifeboats.
While many participants get plenty of training and make sure they carry safety equipment, there has been a significant increase in more casual users taking up the sport. With discount shops and online stores selling cheap entry-level kit, including inflatable kayaks, people that don’t have any previous experience on the water are trying the sport out for the first time.
The Beach Safety team has produced a new kayaking safety guide, with the help of the Sea Safety team and the British Canoe Union (the sport’s governing body). It is targeted at both sit-on-top and sea kayakers and includes basic tips and kit recommendations to ensure kayakers stay safe while enjoying their paddling experience. To download a copy of the leaflet, click here.
To read the Article in full click here
