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.
www.metoffice.gov.uk
www.bbc.co.uk
www.windfinder.com
www.windguru.com
www.metcheck.com
www.magicseaweed.com
www.xcweather.com
www.mwis.org.uk
You must be logged in to post a comment.