Heading into the summer, British Canoeing and the RNLI launch safety campaign

The campaign aims to raise awareness of how to stay safe on the water when planning to stand up paddleboard, kayak or canoe on any type of water - whether at the coast or inland.

The five key messages are:

• Wear a buoyancy aid / personal floatation device no matter how strong you think you are at swimming.

• Carry a means of communication on you. If you become separated from your craft, this is when you may need to call for assistance.

• Check the weather so that you can wear the right clothing and spot any weather that is dangerous to paddle in.

• Tell others of your plans so they know when you will be returning.

• Paddle within your ability and if you need to, take courses to help level up your skills.

British Canoeing has been working with partners and retailers ahead of the summer to increase safety messaging at point of sale as inflatable crafts and paddling equipment become more widely available.

Paddlers can learn the basic skills through British Canoeing courses. This summer British Canoeing is offering a free elearning course to its Go Paddling audience, an Introduction to Paddlesport. The course provides key information for beginners including key equipment, safety precautions and environmental factors.

Lee Pooley, Director of Coaching and Qualifications at British Canoeing: “Having the right skills and knowledge while on the water is vital. Knowing what you are doing is going to make your paddle easier, more enjoyable, and safer. When starting your paddlesport journey there are a range of courses and videos to support you to develop your understanding and skills.”

Ashley Metcalfe, Chief Executive at British Canoeing:“The growth of stand up paddleboarding is unprecedented and we want all paddlers to have a positive experience on the water. Promoting safety information through retailers and manufacturers, as well as directly to the public through our work with the RNLI and other key partners is key to increasing safety among new and novice paddlers”

Samantha Hughes, RNLI Water Safety Partner: “We want paddlers to have fun and to stay safe when heading out onto the water. Weather conditions, particularly offshore winds and strong tidal currents, can make it more difficult or even impossible to return to the shore so it is really important to check the forecast and tide times before you head out. Remember to wear a well-fitted buoyancy aid or personal floatation device as this will help you float if you end up in the water unexpectedly. Always carry a means of calling for help such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and in the event of an emergency at the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and if you're inland ask for the fire and rescue service.”