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Sea Kayaking:
Coping With Wind
Peter Whaley
Sea Kayaking is a thrilling and intimate way to travel the waterways of the world. However, water can be moody and unpredictable at times and can change at the blink of Nor'Easter. How many times has that 5 mile crossing in a dead calm ended up turning into an epic adventure or misadventure? Learning to cope with the wind will alleviate some of the angst you may feel as the day quickly turns on you. THE PLAN Before starting any tour, whether it is an hour, half-day or multi-day tour, you should always have a route plan. This is not only for your safety but so others will know where you are. This plan should include, among other things, emergency pullout areas in case the weather craps out on you. You will also find that local knowledge of the area you are paddling is invaluable. CHECKING THE WEATHER Always check the weather before starting your tour. Make sure you have access to a marine forecast. I use a vhf radio and then double-check it with environment Canada’s marine forecast on the web. If you’re not used to listening to a vhf radio, environment Canada’s website allows you to sit back, relax and find the information pertinent to your particular tour. Both will provide you with a synopsis of the weather in your region and a marine and sea state forecast of the area you will be paddling. This will allow you to get a general idea of the movement of weather systems in your region and a more localised, detailed look at the area you will be paddling. Going to your launch site and checking the weather around you should be the last thing you do. Working from a macroenvironment to a microenvironment will give a good sense of what to expect. READING THE WIND Wind is dynamic, always changing, always in motion. You should be able to visually estimate the speed of the wind by simply looking at the water. Good points of reference are white caps. When you see scattered white caps, you’re looking at 7-10 knot winds. This is generally when kayakers should start considering the wind’s effect on the boat. A change in wind speed and direction is a good indication that a new system is approaching, and is a good time to reassess your day plan and look more closely at your emergency pullout areas. A rapid change in wind direction could result in confused seas. An approaching patch of darker disturbed water on a windy day may be a warning of an approaching gust or squall. Wind will increase in speed over the prevailing winds when rounding headlands and sand spits. On shore winds may create refractory waves, depending on the shoreline topography. Off shore winds will increase the further away you get from the shoreline. You should always monitor wind speed, duration and distance because it is directly related to wave height. If you are in the ocean environment, opposing currents will result in steeper waves. WIND DIRECTION IN RELATION TO YOUR BOAT You will find yourself paddling in 4 basic wind directions in relation to your boat. 1. Beam Reach 2. Head wind 3. Tail wind 4. Bow and Stern quartering winds. In all these scenarios, it may be a good time to try out that rudder…it may be hard on your ego but it will help you keep your boat on the straight and narrow. A weighted boat will also help you in these conditions. If you’re paddle is unfeathered, now may be the time to change it to feathered so that your recovering blade will be slicing the wind and not catching the wind. There are many stories of paddles being ripped out of your hands. 1. Beam Reach: This occurs when the wind is perpendicular to your boat, blowing across the beam of your boat. Your main concern when paddling in beam reach is tracking your boat. Again, engaging your rudder will help keep you on course but more importantly pointing the bow off course towards the wind direction will help you maintain your course. 2. Head wind: this is the only time the rudder may hinder your performance because of the drag it will create. In this case, it offers little benefit for tracking your boat. Although the most difficult to paddle as far as exerting energy, a head wind is the safest. 3. Tail wind: this wind requires very little energy, however, it creates a very unstable platform for the kayak and could become quite hazardous as the sea state increases. The kayak tends to want to broach or turn sideways in a following sea. 4. Quartering winds: whether the quartering winds are hitting your boat off the bow or pushing your boat off the stern, you are forever correcting with a sweep stroke to keep your boat on course. This can become quite taxing on one of your arms. If you have a rudder, use it. PADDLING TECHNIQUES In order to cope with all these varying wind dynamics, it’s important to get back to basics. When paddling in wind, using a low stroke angle with a feathered blade will help increase your aerodynamics. Leaning forward with your head slightly down will also help. Concentrate on your technique so that there is no wasted energy. If you’re paddling in a following sea with a strong tail wind, you may have to check your speed with one or two back paddles so that you don’t start surfing. Look to the shoreline for protective inlets, coves etc. Be careful of onshore winds when paddling near the shoreline, it may be safer further away from the shore. SUMMARY Wind can have extreme adverse affects on you and your kayak. Preventative measures such as having a route plan with emergency pullouts, knowing the marine weather locally and generally, keeping a watchful eye on any change and increasing your paddling skills will help you cope with the wind and perhaps enjoy the challenges that the wind can offer you. -- Peter Whaley is the owner and operator of Coastal Spirit Expeditions. To learn about the trips his company offers, click on the link.
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SEA KAYAKING TIPS 
