I am a BCU white water kayak coach of 30 years, and without trying to dampen your fun you need to be really careful when kayaking on the sea and especially in Cornwall. 1) You are wearing a buoyancy aid, this is the number 1 thing that will kepp you alive if you swim. 2) Wetsuits are not windproof and are designed to keep you warn in the water, not out of it, any sort of wind will chill you really quickly, so always have a windproof top with you so you can stop the wind evaporating the water and chilling you. 3) Paddling on the sea is dangerous on your own especially as you have no idea what you are doing, tides can quickly draw you out to sea, where the swell will increase and your ability to paddle in a straight line will be about zero. 4) Consider buying a PLB and wear it on the water. If you need it, this will save your life. period. 5) Keep away from rocky coastlines as the swell, tides, winds and your inability to control the kayak will be an accident waiting to happen. 6) if you fall out of the kayak, you being in the water will go with the tide, and the kayak floating will go with the wind and if they are opposite directions you will separate very very quickly. far faster than you can ever swim, consider a leash, and if you do, ALWAYS have a knife to cut the leash if you need to and carry a spare paddle. 7) If you go out on your own, let somebody know wherre you are, what you are doing and your expected ETA, to dry land so if you dont check in, the alarm can be raised and people know where to look for you. 8) practice falling out of the kayak and getting back into it while out of your standing depth, (harder than you think). 9) The seas around Cornwall can be really dangerous, get advice from a local Sea kayaking club, contact the BCU they can put you in touch. 10) Rivers have a completely different set of dangers. Stay safe.
Thank you for taking the time to post such a useful comment. Very much appreciated. I fully agree with every single comment you make. There are many incidents/deaths around the North Cornwall coast which are often only reported locally. It’s far more dangerous than people think. Thankfully I am aware of a lot of your points and any swell I will be getting my surfboard out in favour of my kayak. I will be using my kayak like I do my paddleboard which is close to shore, in sight, in flat waters. Hawkers Cove is a perfect example of what I mean. Hopefully others can learn from your comment.
I use my bluetti and the electric pump from Decathlon, completely effortless!! I truly enjoy the outdoors and believe I’m creating some amazing memories for my son
Link to my NEW Kayak - bit.ly/3xsP4UX
I am a BCU white water kayak coach of 30 years, and without trying to dampen your fun you need to be really careful when kayaking on the sea and especially in Cornwall.
1) You are wearing a buoyancy aid, this is the number 1 thing that will kepp you alive if you swim.
2) Wetsuits are not windproof and are designed to keep you warn in the water, not out of it, any sort of wind will chill you really quickly, so always have a windproof top with you so you can stop the wind evaporating the water and chilling you.
3) Paddling on the sea is dangerous on your own especially as you have no idea what you are doing, tides can quickly draw you out to sea, where the swell will increase and your ability to paddle in a straight line will be about zero.
4) Consider buying a PLB and wear it on the water. If you need it, this will save your life. period.
5) Keep away from rocky coastlines as the swell, tides, winds and your inability to control the kayak will be an accident waiting to happen.
6) if you fall out of the kayak, you being in the water will go with the tide, and the kayak floating will go with the wind and if they are opposite directions you will separate very very quickly. far faster than you can ever swim, consider a leash, and if you do, ALWAYS have a knife to cut the leash if you need to and carry a spare paddle.
7) If you go out on your own, let somebody know wherre you are, what you are doing and your expected ETA, to dry land so if you dont check in, the alarm can be raised and people know where to look for you.
8) practice falling out of the kayak and getting back into it while out of your standing depth, (harder than you think).
9) The seas around Cornwall can be really dangerous, get advice from a local Sea kayaking club, contact the BCU they can put you in touch.
10) Rivers have a completely different set of dangers.
Stay safe.
Thank you for taking the time to post such a useful comment. Very much appreciated.
I fully agree with every single comment you make. There are many incidents/deaths around the North Cornwall coast which are often only reported locally. It’s far more dangerous than people think.
Thankfully I am aware of a lot of your points and any swell I will be getting my surfboard out in favour of my kayak.
I will be using my kayak like I do my paddleboard which is close to shore, in sight, in flat waters.
Hawkers Cove is a perfect example of what I mean.
Hopefully others can learn from your comment.
I just bought an inflatable kayak like yours. I just don't know what licence I need to have to swim in the lakes mainly, can you help me please
I use my bluetti and the electric pump from Decathlon, completely effortless!!
I truly enjoy the outdoors and believe I’m creating some amazing memories for my son
That certainly will make it easier to inflate 😀
That’s what it’s all about 👍🏼
Thank you for this, I’m learning to kayak and will look into an inflatable, not something I had considered to be honest, until your comments.
An inflatable won’t suit everyone, but for me, those storage and transportation reasons are beneficial.