What are the dangers of kayaking on the open "flat" sea? south coast uk.?

Question

firstly, thank you cpt john.

secondly, there are no sharks that will eat me, the water stays flat all day (hot sunny day) with no "big massive waves or swirls" and i will hardly "drift" to france or the azores, although that does have its benefits.

these are "guessing" answers you have given, please only answer if you actually know the answer.

i was thinking more about rock/depth patterns, rolling-how to combat etc etc.....

Answer 1

The "flat" sea changes frequently and almost instantaneously into "mountainous," there are large ship wakes that appear very quickly that can swamp a kayak, there are lots of sharks and other critters who like to eat, there is a lot of ocean and your boat is very small. You can run out of drinking water, or food, or drift to Norway or France or Spain or Portugal or the Azores.

Fog can also be a problem, especially to small boats with no compass or charts or lights or warning devices. Rocks stand ready to sink the unwary. I am sure that there are additional dangers that I have forgotten to list. The North Atlantic frequently acts as an idiot-disposal service, and is very well equipped for this role,  regardless of the size of craft the idiot is using.

Kayaks are better suited to creeks, small rivers and small lakes.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 2

The biggest danger would be getting eaten by a great white shark

Answer 3

sharks and drowning

Answer 4

Well Badger... these guys (one girl) are just giving you no respect... are they...

There are indeed "sea kayaks" made exclusively for kayaking on the sea... some "sea kayak" club members I have come across, have indeed traversed many (too many for me, anyway) miles: down coast lines, island hopping, and they are showing up all over the place... and I have seen them "out there" in all kinds of waves and weather...

The "dangers" of course, are obvious... and I would suspect that these people are as good at what they do, as I am at what I do... So, if that is your interest... Go for it!  Obviously, other people share the same interest.

Of course, I would suggest you try to connect up with one of these "sea kayak" clubs in your area... I am sure you will learn alot... and as with any water event... there is safety in numbers.  Ye ole "buddy system" has a good reason to it.

Happy & Safe Boating!