We should by now all know the importance of an accurate weather forecast before undertaking a kayak trip and its significance in reducing risk. It has however been widely reported that the catalyst for the majority of incidents involving particularly sea kayakers is a change in the weather whilst paddling.

A good source of current information is radio broadcasts particularly Radio Scotland which can also be listened to online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/ and Radio 4 also available online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/  

If you have a VHF radio a forecast is broadcast at 4 hourly intervals, if you don’t have one this alone would justify the cost, and it  also has thrown in for free a way of contacting other vessels and the coastguard in an emergency.

And lets not forget the internet – a source of all information, some good, some bad, click on the links below and be better informed.