Playing it safe in Scottish waters
Expert urges caution for outdoor activities
Scotland’s lochs, coastlines and canals make it a key destination for the latest trend in water wellness. Activities such as wild swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding are more popular than ever before.
Chris Saunders, of Carrick Adventures, in Ayrshire, is looking forward to the better weather. But with that comes a sense of trepidation because of fears that too many people will take unnecessary risks.
Last year was Scotland’s deadliest on the water, with 531 rescues conducted across Scotland by the coastguard.
In the summer months alone, there were 56 deaths on the water, the highest figure for at least five years. This compares with 30 deaths in the summer of 2020.
Chris has been raving about Scotland’s incredible adventure assets for 20 years and in the last two years it seems as though everyone else agrees.
But he’s urging everyone to take measures to stay safe this year.
Paddle boarding used to be a niche activity, says
Chris, but now anyone can nip out to the supermarket and come back with an affordable inflatable kayak or paddle board, or shop online and find themselves paddling out the next day.
It’s fantastic that more people have access to these water activities, but the ease of getting some of the equipment is causing problems. Chris says: “In a specialist shop, a sales assistant is more likely to give you safety tips or ask if you need a buoyancy aid. But, in a supermarket, it’s unlikely you will get the specialist advice you may need.”
Book an introductory lesson with a specialist if you plan to take up a new hobby like paddle boarding, he urges.
Knowing where you are going, understanding the location, the water and air temperature, and even the wind direction are all factors that could save your life.
Chris adds: “Even in June, it could be blistering hot but the water is still freezing.
“If you’re wearing shorts and fall into a loch or the sea – which hasn’t had the summer months to warm up – you could be in trouble.
“If you fall off and don’t know how to get back on and find yourself losing energy as you flounder about in cold water, it doesn’t take long for shock to set in.”
The benefits of open water swimming or coldwater dipping are also well documented, but it takes time to acclimatise and needs to be done with a level of caution, training and understanding to avoid any danger.