Performance Sea Kayak

SAFETY

The spectrum of challenges represented on this website is wide and varied. These challenges appeal to individuals for many reasons, not least is the one of pushing the limits of knowledge, skill and stamina. In this modern world it is a draw for many to add serious challenge and adventure to life and to find just where these limits lie.

However, it should also be clearly obvious that such endeavours bring with them risk and at times not inconsiderable risk. The sea can be a fantastic environment but it also can quickly become a dangerous, life-threatening place. It has no sentimentality, conscience or respect for reputation - it is no place for the ill-prepared or those with limited knowledge.

Long committing crossings are just that; the paddler undertaking such activity has to be fully self sufficient in all areas, but especially in the area of safety. The open sea has significant tidal flows and is greatly affected by wind and weather - what you see from the beach is not necessarily what you will find as you move further offshore. The names you see on this site have very extensive levels of experience, knowledge and skills behind them. They have relied on these to make successful decisions on what they are capable of and importantly which is the day to go and which is the day to stay on the beach.

If you are considering undertaking any such endeavours you should be completely aware of the risks involved, your abilities and your limits. If you are unable to quantify any of these then you need to put your dreams on hold until you can. You must be fully aware that the events detailed on this website are serious undertakings and should be treated as such.

If you are not fully confident in your abilities and preparation then do not go!

If you have ANY doubts whatsoever about your trip then do not go!

If you are considering a solo crossing of any sort then you should not even need to consider reading a page on safety...

Record Validations

Some of the records shown on this site have been independently witnessed, however the majority have not. This is the nature of a sport where events may take place over relatively long distances, starting and finishing from remote places at inconvenient times and often crossing from one land mass to another. I have made efforts to verify details wherever possible, some will be verified through peer acceptance. Wherever I have had any doubts or too few details I have omitted the record in question whilst awaiting further confirmation.

Units have been standardised wherever possible, however in places I have used the actual units supplied in order to maintain the accuracy of distances claimed. The ~ symbol denotes my own estimations (usually for speed) where the such figures have not been supplied. Any innacuracies are down to myself, not the paddlers claiming the record.

Submitting a Claim:
If you plan to attempt a record and then submit a claim, then you should expect to provide some form of proof to substantiate your claim - a GPS log file (.gpx) is preferred, along with photos, timings etc. The more info the better, details such as GPS tracks (.gpx/.tcx files), Google Earth files (.kmz), Memory Map files (.mmo), photos, witness details etc. are useful. Please forward any record claims by email with as many details as possible; take a look at the relevant page to see what sort of things PSk are looking for.
Please do not be offended if you are contacted with further questions in order to help verify the claim - everyone is treated equally irrespective of reputation or standing, it's nothing personal!

Timing Crossings:
The clock should start and finish as the kayak scrapes on/off the beach. This gives a better way of standardising times than the possibly vague use of harbour mouths, bays, prominent rocks etc. Don't stop the clock until you can step out onto solid ground which is directly linked to your destination!

Timing Circumnavigations:
The clock should start/finish directly next to (within a few boat lengths) an obvious, fixed landmark such as a buoy, slipway, identifiable rock etc. Just passing a headland or distant point etc. is too vague.

Sails:

The current popularity of sails on sea kayaks cannot be ignored. PSK will rightly record any sail assisted record attempts, though it must be pointed out that a sail assisted attempt is exactly that - an assisted attempt. Using a sail does not preclude a record from recognition but it does mean that it will not be compared directly with those attempts that have not used any forms of such assistance.

It will be interesting to see just what effect the use of sails will have.

Kayak versus Ski

It is difficult to make a direct comparison between events undertaken by Sea Kayak and those completed on Ocean Skis. Some would argue that the sea kayak makes compromises in order to be sea worthy in the most challenging of conditions whilst others would argue that skis demand higher levels of skill just to paddle them. To this end I have included separate details for both types of craft and I make no claim for the merits of one craft over the other. At the end of the day fast is fast whatever you paddle.

Escort Boats

I have highlighted the use of Escort Boats (often a RIB or small fishing charter boat) wherever used within events. I feel it is difficult to compare a record that has been undertaken solo (or within a self contained team) with one that was accompanied by an escort boat. An escort arguably gives an advantage over those who paddle without. Paddlers without an escort have to be completely self-sufficient in the areas of navigation, pacing, food & drink, safety and not least morale - quite a commitment when many miles off-shore. This doesn't detract from those who paddle with an escort - once again, fast is fast; however I feel it is not possible to compare them like with like.

Note: For some events such as the English Channel - Straits of Dover crossings, escort boats are to all intents and purposes mandatory.

Errata

For any omissions or inaccuracies I apologise. If you can supply details for corrections, updates or any additions then please contact me:

paddleanglesey@yahoo.co.uk

John Willacy

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