1.8 Weather and trip planning

Whilst it’s good to be able to understand something about meteorology, the most important skill for sea kayakers is being able to interpret a forecast and use it to select a venue and plan a trip.

1.8.1 Deciding where, and if, to go

It’s obviously critical that the weather conditions are within the skills of the group to handle. If the conditions are not right for you or those you paddle with, then do not get on the water. To avoid disappointment, it is sensible to have a fallback plan in mind, especially if people have traveled a long way.

Using a weather forecast and a map you should be able to identify which areas will be exposed to wind and which more sheltered. The ability to make good plans comes with time and experience. However, the following process might provide a guide for beginners:

A) Choosing where to go

  1. Check wind strength and wave size. Is the wind light enough (e.g. F1) that we can ignore it? Is it strong enough (e.g. F4 or more) that we need to hide from it behind land? If not, it’s probably still sensible to plan a paddle that starts by paddling upwind, so that the wind is behind us at the end of the day.

  2. Assuming we need to consider wind, use an overview map of the area to identify coastlines that we might be able to paddle on and access points that allow us to start upwind. This should give us a short-list of options

  3. Are there any tidal effects (height of tide, tidal streams) to worry about for the areas in our short list? Does this limit options due to (e.g.) wind-against-tide effects, having to paddle against tidal stream or access constraints due to areas drying out?

  4. Are there any other limits to our options or hazards to consider - e.g. other water users, danger areas, logistics, lack of escape routes?

  5. We should now have a list of options that are safe and practical, and need to discuss which we’d prefer to do.

B) Focused planning - once we’ve chosen where to go

  1. Confirm wind, waves and tide for the area. How will they change through the day? How do we expect the shape of the coastline to affect these? Do we need to consider other factors (e.g. shipping, local rules…)?

  2. Where are the put ins and take outs? Where do we park and how far do we need to carry? Where else can we get off if things go wrong?

  3. How far will we paddle? What are the rough timings? Do they fit with weather and tidal changes? Are there critical places that be need to be at specific times? Where will we stop for breaks and lunch?

  4. What are the main hazards and where are the crux points of the trip (e.g. exposed sections, headlands, concentrated wind, waves or tidal stream?). Where are our key decision points to keep going or turn back? How will we make those decisions? Do we have fallback plans if conditions prove worse than expected? At what points do we become committed? What will we do if things go wrong at each point?

  5. Check that the plan is sensible - if not, go back to part (A) and consider other venues.

Finish by copying key information to the map that you will carry on the water. Aim to keep your plans flexible - consider different options and be prepared to change if things don’t turn out as expected.

1.8.2 Checking actual conditions

It’s wise not to allow completely on the forecast. Take time when you arrive at your launch point to check that conditions you see out on the water are those that you expect. Is the wind direction about what you expect? Does the effect of the wind on the sea match what you’d expect from the Beaufort Scale descriptions? Keep an eye on the weather and the sky to see how the weather develops.