5.3 Risks and challenges of open crossings

Clearly, open crossings present challenges that coastal journeys with regular take-outs do not. It’s advisable to take a conservative approach - starting with short crossings (less than an hour) in calm conditions (less than F2 wind), no tide and ideally with an experienced companion. You may then choose to increase the distance and the challenge gradually as you gain experience.

Here’s a few of the factors that you may need to think about:

• Wind/sea: the majority of open crossings are carried out in fine weather with minimal wind. Some experienced paddlers will choose to paddle downwind in stronger winds, but this is very much an advanced tactic - the fetch of the wind and hence the size of the waves will keep increasing through the crossing! It makes sense to choose settled periods of weather - you don’t want the weather to change whilst you’re at sea. Decide in advance what upper limits for wind and waves you are happy with and recognize that you may not get the conditions that you need.

• Fog: Choosing low wind conditions may expose you to the risk of fog, especially during Spring or Autumn. Poor visibility can lead to disorientation unless you have absolute faith in your compass and/or GPS. Obvious dangers are other vessels (consider putting out a message on your VHF) and missing your target if it’s an island.

• Thunderstorms: Warm windless summer days can have thunderstorm risks. Check the forecast - it isn’t sensible to head out if there’s a chance of lightning.

• Other vessels: Ships won’t expect to see paddlers far from land, but many crossing will go across shipping routes. Check the chart to see where the shipping lanes are and when you’ll be in them. Have a VHF radio to hand in case you need to contact other vessels and be prepared to take evasive action. If you’re not sure about whether another vessel is on a collision course, take a bearing to it, then repeat after a few minutes. If the bearing stays constant you’re heading towards the vessel.

• Fitness: Clearly you need to have absolute confidence that you can paddle effectively for the duration of the planned crossing - and have some contingency just in case something goes wrong (e.g. an unexpected headwind in the last few miles). It makes sense to undertake appropriately long journeys along a coastline before you commit to similar distances on a crossing. Develop an efficient paddling stroke and learn to vary it (e.g. high-angle to low angle, left handed/right handed) to use different muscles. Good paddles make a big difference (consider carbon paddles and/or wings), and it’s good to be able to vary length and feather. Drip rings can keep hands dry, leading to less blisters. Recognize that, in the worst case, you may need to tow one of your companions for a significant part of the crossing.

• Hydration / Nutrition: Like all your kit, you’ll need to ensure food and drink are accessible from the cockpit. Drink little and often - a bladder-based hydration system can help by allowing you to drink whilst paddling. Eat well before the crossing and have snacks to hand during the paddle. Don’t try novel foods (e.g. energy gels) on the day - it’s not a good time to find that a particular product makes you sick!

• Going to the toilet: Given the need to stay hydrated, it’s likely that you’ll need to pee at some points on a long crossing. I keep an old drinks bottle behind my seat for that purpose, and paddle with friends who I know well enough to ask to steady the boat whilst I go! Females have additional challenges - whilst it is apparently possible to manage things seated, many will choose to keel, stand or squat whilst rafted up. Some use the ‘Shewee’ device or similar (begin by practicing in the shower). On a very warm day, jumping in for a swim may be a good option. Whatever you choose to do, practice when the consequences of a mistake are low before you rely on the system.

• Looking after yourself: Watch out for the effects of the sun that often accompanies ideal days for a crossing. Use plenty of sunscreen, lips sun block and sun hats. If blisters start to form on your hands consider using electrical tape to cover them before they get worse. Rubs (e.g. under armpits) can be treated with ‘Sudocrem’ or ‘Vaseline’.

• Paddling skills: You must be able to deal with any rough water and swell expected on the crossing, and be able to maintain effective forward paddling in those conditions. If you’ve planned slack water for the middle of the crossing, it’s likely that flow may be significant at the start and end of the crossing.

• Group ability: Everyone in the group needs to have the skills to complete the crossing, but there’s an obvious safety benefit to having an experienced leader, guide or coach.

• Emergency procedures: Rescue skills should be well-practiced in the group - including dealing with paddlers separated from their boats and swamped hatches.

• Calling for help: Have options for emergency communications - consider VHF, satellite phones, personal locator beacons, mobile phones and flares.

• Navigational backups: On a along crossing a GPS system makes sense, but you should have backups, including additional GPS units, spare batteries, and the ability to complete the crossing on a compass bearing. Ensure you have several copies of the chart in the group.

• Time of year: Whilst settled weather can occur at any time of year, you’re more likely to get a good weather window in the summer. The warmer water in late summer / early autumn offers an additional safety margin and may reduce the likelihood of sea fog.

• Clothing: It helps to be able to adjust your clothing during the crossing if you get too warm or cold. Separate cags and trousers offer more options than single piece drysuits. Have a storm cag in your day hatch and a warm hat to hand.

• Commitment: The level of commitment varies with the crossing - length is important, but so are the strength of the tidal streams and their direction (is it possible to return to your launch point after you’ve left?). Crossings can be psychologically difficult, but reducing sources of uncertainty (e.g. by attending to everything on this list) can help.

• Resting: You need to feel stable enough in the boat to rest at sea. Rafting up can be a good option, but may be difficult in some conditions. Be organised and disciplined with rest stops - e.g. set aside 5 minutes every hour and stick to that. During rests, stretch your back, shoulders and legs.

• Boredom: Long paddles in calm conditions without landmarks can become tedious. Choose your group carefully, and perhaps devise some simple games (e.g. 20 questions) to keep people interested.

• Solo paddling: Going solo on open crossings carries obvious additional risks, but for some paddlers the sense of achievement is similarly high.

For those looking for more ideas and advice, Doug Cooper’s book ‘Rough Water Handling’ has a good section on open crossings.