Are you thinking of kayaking in the rain? It’s definitely an adventurous plan and is worth trying. However, before you set out to kayak in the rain you must be aware of various dangers associated with the action and know how to stay safe amidst all that.
It is important for you to understand that if done in the right way and following all necessary guidelines kayaking during rains imposes little threat.
If you kayak when it’s raining but don’t wear the right type of clothing, you might become a victim of hypothermia. Drowning is another possible consequence, particularly if you fail to take the right precautions.
Some novices even tend to get tired midway as they need to spend serious amount of energy for controlling their kayaks amid strong winds and/or waves. In addition, you will also be at risk of colliding with floating logs, another kayak, rocks, etc.
If all these are deterring you from kayaking during the monsoon, read through the following segment to learn how to kayak safely in the rain.
Knowledge holds the key:
To ensure that you don’t encounter any safety issues we would advise you to gather enough information on water conditions before you go out to kayak when it’s raining. Make your plans based on the information you acquire.
For example, if it’s raining continuously for three to four days, you should expect the water level to rise.
If you are looking to kayak in the sea, you should be ready to ride on rougher water during the rains. On the other hand, if you have plans of kayaking on the river, you will most likely encounter some additional rapids.
You will get the most effective information about the water conditions from the nearby surf shops or baits shops. You can also contact the local wildlife authorities or kayak communities for gathering required facts.
Use accessories to remain visible while Kayaking in the rain:
Rain often impairs visibility. Things can get even worse with water splashing in your surrounding area as you ride through the river or sea. This makes it extremely important for you to do something to keep yourself visible even when the onlookers’ sight gets compromised.
You can use a white or light-yellow kayak light. You can also search stores for signaling devices designed for canoes and kayaks.
Don’t let water enter your kayak:
The easiest way of preventing water from getting inside the kayak is by installing a spray skirt. However, this advice would work for you only if you are riding a kayak fitted with seats.
You will have the following options to choose from when buying spray skirts:
1. Nylon skirt:
This basic spray skirt is good enough for dealing with moderate rainfall. It’s user friendly and inexpensive.
2. Neoprene skirt:
It costs a little more than the nylon skirts and is much more comfortable. In addition, neoprene skirts are waterproof. It works well even during stronger rains and can keep you both warm and dry.
3. Gore-Tex tunnel skirt:
This one is the costliest and the most efficient option of the three. These spray skirts are not only breathable but also guarantees water proofness. For these skirts to work well you must ensure that they fit your vessel and your body perfectly.
Know the clothing guidelines well
When canoeing in the rain during the late autumn or spring months, you must not only pick clothes to remain dry but should also look to remain warm. This makes adding one or two additional layers of clothing important.
Similarly, during the summer months you should ideally wear just the wet suit even when it’s raining hard.
Are you wondering about the fabric you should pick when kayaking during rain? It’s simple; you shouldn’t look beyond synthetic. Synthetic fabrics take very little time to dry up and can even serve as an additional waterproof layer.
Drysuit vs. wetsuit: which is suitable for kayaking?
Wearing a Drysuit would help you in keeping water away completely when canoeing in the rain.
A wetsuit, on the other hand, works by trapping a small portion of the splashing water between the suit and the user’s body. The body temperature of the user warms the trapped water and this in turn prevents him or her from losing body heat even after spending hours in water.
Bottom Line:
The section above must have allowed you to understand that kayaking in the rain is not as difficult or risky as it seems. All you need is a bit of knowledge and you are good to go.