Canoe, Kayak and SUP Marathons and Safety

Canoe, kayak and SUP marathoning is an extremely safe, low risk sport. Years go by without mishap. The sport is also low impact and easy on the body. Unfortunately, all of this can lead to a sense of complacency among both race organizers and participants. The truth is that over time there have been cases of drownings, fatal cardiac arrest, lightning strikes, injuries and dehydration during marathon canoe races. We all know accidents can happen in any sport.

So who is responsible for safety during a canoe marathon? The answer is everyone. Race organizers do their best to make sure race courses are relatively safe. However, the nature of canoe marathons is such that there are often long periods of time when paddlers are on their own and without support. In this case it is up to individual paddlers to be in charge of their own safety. You are operating a vessel and as such laws and race rules apply and it is up to you to know what those are. The race organizer can provide you with the rules and the Transport Canada publications can provide you with the applicable laws. 

The key is really just common sense. Always have a life jacket with you and wear it. Know your own abilities as both a paddler and swimmer. Watch for other paddlers in distress. Pull out of the water and find shelter if lightning is near by - follow the 30-30 Rule - if you see lightening and hear thunder in 30 seconds or less, pull off and wait until 30 minutes after the last thunder before re-entering the water - DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A STORM. Don't race if your health is not 100% and quit if you become ill during a race. Look out for the obstacles (floating debris, under surface logs/branches, sweepers, etc.) on your watercourse. The list goes on. Know the facts and think safety.

Full OMCKRA Safety Policy can be viewed at OMCKRA Safety
Notice!

The wearing of PFDs (life jackets) is mandatory.  As this event takes place after October 1st, Ontario Marathon Canoe Kayak Racing Association has this: Before May 1 and after October 1 all paddlers in every class must wear a lifejacket or PFD.  It is not enough just to have a PFD on-board. We are under obligations to enforce this.
For this race, due to COLD water temperature, inflatable life jackets and belts are not acceptable. Thank you for your understanding.

Why disallow inflatables?
The primary basis of disallowing inflatables is that the Muskoka River is COLD in October. Colder than in the summer. Inflatable life-jackets provide little or no thermal protection.

It has been noted that inflatables would not necessarily be inflated by people who fall in but expect to continue to race. Continuing to paddle with a inflated PFD is very awkward, so there is a disincentive to inflate. Also when you deflate them they are no longer valid and legal because the cartridge has been used, unless you insert a spare cartridge. This event attracts paddlers of all levels of skills and ability. Safety of our paddlers is paramount.

If you do not own a regular PFD and if that is your reason for not racing, we have a local outfitter renting them for $3.50 per day.
For more background on cold water: www.coldwaterbootcamp.com/pages/home.html