WIND

Offshore Wind

Wind on your back as you face the ocean.

Downwind Upwind

Wind on your back.

Cross Shore Wind

Wind on your face.

Onshore Wind

Wind on your face as you face the ocean.

Wind on your side as you face the ocean.

Ensure

Marine Creatures

Though of little threat, encounters with marine creatures can ultimately be an inevitable consequence of SUP participation in an ocean environment. Depending on your geographical proximity, these may include sharks, rockfish, weaver fish, jellyfish, sea snakes, sea lice and seals.

1.Seasons may result in differing marine life in the same areas.

2.Avoid known areas, where dangerous marine creatures are present

3.In all other circumstances exercise a high state of alert.

Dangers from Other People and Watercraft

Be aware of other water users (swimmers, bathers) and of other water-craft. Ensure you are aware of what is going on around you ensuring a 360˚ scan of the area. This must be taught to students.

When falling, your safe distance from others is the length of your leash (9' or so) plus board length (10-12' average) plus your own body height (6') which dictates you need leave a very wide area of some 30' to ensure no collisions will result. Realistically when working in tight groups, this is impractical, but it reinforces the need to pass on the importance of learning how to fall and retrieve in a skilled manner.

Pollution

Polluted waters and beaches occasional occur due to spillages and storms.

1.Oil can dirty the board and make paddle and deck surface slippery.

2.Falling into polluted waters can be detrimental to health and create health issues some time after the event.

3. Weed can tangle fins and slow progress while flotsam and jetsam need be avoided wherever possible.

4. Check daily for pollution as part of dynamic risk assessment.

Waves

While operating in exposed coastal waters a great deal of consideration needs to be applied to how much swell there is and whether it will affect your chosen route and in leaving and returning to the beach.Through an in-depth risk assessment and Normal Operating Procedure (NOP) you will need to establish what kind of conditions are appropriate for certain locations.

Parts of the wave

The front side of the wave is referred to as the wave face, which can be measured from its trough (the bottom of the wave) to its lip (the top, crest or peak) in estimating its wave height. The impact zone is the point at which the wave implodes, which inevitably results in foam being created.

How are waves formed?

Waves are formed by the wind blowing across the surface of the ocean.

The size and power of waves are determined by three factors:

Velocity (Intensity of the wind)

Length of time it blows

Fetch (Distance blown over water)

When wind blows over a short distance it produces ‘chop’. As the distance increases waves become larger, eventually becoming swell.

Shore Break

In respect of learning, there will be occasions when a shore break is present and you will need to instruct your students in the skills required to ensure safe passage.

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1.The term shore-break refers to a wave which breaks onto the beach or just before reaching its edge.

2.These waves can be wind generated or residual waves generated from distant storms or sometimes on account of passing water traffic.

3.Regardless, the shore break wave needs to be treated with respect.

Plunging or Dumping Shore Break

A plunging wave or ‘dumper’ is a wave, which throws its peak over itself, imploding on the beach below it. This can form part of a beach break and needs be avoided or approached with caution, both leaving and returning.

Tides

The state of the tide and its height can have a considerable affect on how we deliver our sessions. Certain locations that have an adequate amount of water on a high tide can turn, reveal areas of exposed rock and sand as the tide drops.

Tides exist due to gravitational pull of the moon and sun, producing high and low waters, subject to a 6 hour flow time either way. However narrow harbour areas may take as much as 7hrs to fill and only 5hrs to ebb. This tidal flow is strongest in the 3rd and 4th hours, the strength of flow determined by the moons proximity.

Some areas of the world are subject to very large tidal ranges, leading to many metres of variance (11m plus) and strong tidal flow, while areas such as the Mediterranean have marginal tidal range as do equatorial regions.

Tidal effect is due to the sun and the moon moving around the earth. Their greatest effect is on a spring tide; the least is on a neap tide. Generally the seas reach their highest and lowest levels on the shore twice a day with an average interval between two successive tides of 12 hours and 25 minutes.

In the image above we see the moon positioned either side of us in relation to the sun, hence less gravitational pull and the presence of Neap tides on our shores.

In this image we see the sun, moon and earth in directly alignment causing Spring tides to occur.

1.The rate of flow can present serious safety issues. Spring (King) tides in particular can cause the greatest concern.

2.A thorough understanding of the relationship between the tides and how you operate at your location is vital prior to conducting sessions.

3. SUP boards are affected by tidal flow and can place extra physical demand on the paddler.

4.Variance in high and low waters can leave you stranded.

5.Local knowledge of tides is essential and can be gained by seeking a local tide chart and / or speaking with experienced locals.

The alignment of the sun, moon and earth dictates whether the tides are Neap or Spring.The moon orbits the earth in monthly cycles.The moons position effects the amount of gravitational pull on the earths oceans and seas.

Communication

As an instructor you should be aware of what recourses are available in the case of an emergency. The emergency services are only available if there are means to contact them in the first place. This will form an important part of your emergency procedure process.

1.The WSA advises all instructors to ensure either a mobile phone or VHF radio is carried at all times.

2.These devices should be checked prior to any session and be well maintained.

3.Anyone using a VHF radio should gain a short-range operators certificate.

4.VHF radios are designed to be water resistant and tolerate a degree of exposure to the outdoor environment. This is why they are the device of choice for coastal emergency services.

When calling emergency services consider the following;

P – Position Where are you?

It is vital that you are as specific when directing the emergency services to you.

P – Person Who is involved?

Are their multiple casualties?

What age and gender is the casualty?

P – Problem Is the casualty breathing normally?

Have any injuries been sustained?

Try to give as much relevant information as possible.

You could be operating in an area which may be covered by a lifeguard patrol or under a local authorities jurisdiction. The WSA encourages a good working relationship with these people. If you are intending to paddle from one beach to another then ensure local lifeguards are aware of your intended route and estimated duration of the session.

Rules and regulations

It is important to be aware of any local rules and regulations that apply in your operating area. Inland waterways and working ports have numerous rules and laws that you must make yourself aware of. Instructors must identify relevant channels, working areas and port boundaries prior to entering the water or conducting sessions.Your risk assessment and Local Operating Procedure (LOP) should outline these areas in detail. Not respecting or adhering to these rules could prove fatal.

An isolated danger mark as defined by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate a hazard to shipping such as a partially submerged rock.

A Safe Water Mark, as defined by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate the end of a channel. It usually implies that open, deep and safe water lies ahead, though it is sometimes also used to indicate the start and end of a buoyed section of a continuous narrow channel, or a line of these marks can be used to mark a safe route through shallow areas.

A lateral buoy, lateral post or lateral mark, as defined by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate the edge of s channel. Each mark indicates the edge of the safe water channel in terms of port (left-hand) or starboard (right-hand).

Emergency wreck marking buoy can be used to mark a newly discovered hazard not yet shown in nautical documents.

A Special Mark, as defined by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage. It is recognisable by its yellow colour and X, (often referred to as a St. Andrews Cross) top-mark. It has a distinctive sequence of various flashes that does not match any other navigational mark flashes in its vicinity.

Cardinal Marks

A cardinal mark is used in maritime pilotage to indicate the position of a hazard and the direction of safe water.

Cardinal marks indicate the direction of safety of which to navigate. For example; a north Cardinal mark would indicate you should keep to the north to avoid danger.

Stand Up Paddle Water Safety and Rescue

Signalling

It is vital for the instructor to have a series of simple, easily understood visual signals in order to communicate with their students. Use a whistle to attract attention in noisy environments or if you can, whistle yourself. Refrain from shouting where possible.

Go this way

Return to shore

Both arms up and pointing to the area you wish students to return.

Important note

There is no left or right as such, as students may be ahead or behind you, therefore the signal simply means 'Go this way'

Go this way, avoid underwater obstruction

Return to me Stop

Stop and go to knees

Return to me (Alternate)

Student in need of assistance.

Kneeling and saluting from the head in sharp movements (not waving)

© Steve West, Batini Books 2014 - 45