Kayaking Safety

Tony chooses to err on the side of caution and always sticks with shorts when we hit the coast, reasoning that the discomfort will be short lived. Fortunately, the weather patterns that give us our coldest mornings are calm and clear, which means the day will quickly warm within a few hours of sunrise. If you ever want to experience …

A cheaper alternative to an EPIRB are flares. Flares can be bought from most marine shops for about $70. The rules for paddling at night would have to the most ambiguous of all. At present it is only necessary to have an all-round white light when paddling on the Brisbane River. However, at a minimum you should carry a light, …

Affordability and quality are the cornerstones of the brands stocked by Paddle Mad, with Aussie-made Koastal Kayaks leading the charge. Built tough for Australian conditions and with a 10-year warranty to boot, you can be sure these kayaks will handle anything you throw at them. In addition, once you’ve decided on the model that’s right for you, it’s possible to …

 Both these fabrics absorb water and take a long time to dry. This may sound fine on a hot day but wind chill can quickly make things very uncomfortable. These materials will also weigh you down should you go in the drink. Lots of new products on the market have been developed specifically for paddling. Most are lightweight, do not hold water and have …

For me summer means kayak fishing in creeks and rivers. Most watercourses can be paddled fairly easily but sometimes they can be blocked by log jams.  To make it easier to traverse such obstacles, try to limit how much gear you take with you. Even the smaller kayaks such as a Freak Assassin GT will weigh over 25kg without your …

• Wind is also something to consider because it can throw up some chop on the water, which can be undesirable and if coupled with the tide can make for very hard work paddling back. Conditions such as the wind, tides and swell play a massive role in your trip planning. It’s important to check all these things before launching …

Things to consider after your purchase – safety Remaining safe on the water is a must and should be the first thing to consider after buying your first kayak. Here are a few things and tips to consider: Always wear a personal floatation device when you are on the water. Check your local government requirements for the minimum approved type …

The campgrounds were impeccable, proof that all who visit this place respect its beauty and leave it the way they find it. At this point I should probably point out that you don’t exactly need to rough it over there. I didn’t know this at the time, but the island is well equipped with running water, toilets and a great shower facility. I …

There is one flight pass in particular that shows a very low water level and many clues about where to start looking, taking notice of the now sunken rises and valleys. In my experience, the GPS on Google Earth will get you close enough to find what you are looking for once on the water. The fishing we have done on …