About safety
Top priority
At KAYAKOMAT, we’re committed to setting the standard for equipment safety. It’s our top priority to keep our users secure, and we’re constantly improving our processes to make sure our gear is in tip-top shape. With our state-of-the-art locks, kayaks and SUPs are only available to those who have a valid booking ID, which means you can feel confident that your equipment is protected from theft and misuse. We encourage our operators to keep everything clean and properly maintained, to ensure your experience is as enjoyable as it is safe.
Always wear a life jacket
Our users are reminded to utilize life jackets at all times when utilizing kayaks and SUPs. This essential precaution is critical to promoting personal safety and minimizing accidents. Our commitment to safety is paramount, and we are dedicated to providing dependable and secure equipment to our customers. When sharing content on social media, we advise reflecting our high safety standards, and consistently wearing a life jacket while kayaking or using a SUP.
Part of the booking process
To ensure that all customers have access to important safety information, we have created a series of animated videos that clearly demonstrate how to safely handle kayaks and paddles. Before customers can proceed with their booking, they must confirm that they have seen these videos and understand the safety instructions. This way, we can ensure that all customers are well informed about safety regulations and have a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.
Keep track of the weather!
It is important to keep track of the weather during the season to decide if you ever need to close the station. If the weather changes quickly and becomes so bad that it is dangerous to go out paddling, it is very easy to close the station temporarily. It is possible to change the availability of the station by selecting the start and end dates. You can either close the station until further notice by setting the end date of the day. Alternatively, you can set the end date to the current date and set a new availability from the date the weather looks better again and the end date to the date you want to close for the season.
Important! First check that there are no bookings for the days you are closing. If this is the case, contact your customers by SMS or phone and explain that the centre will be closed due to bad weather. In the first instance, always offer a voucher for the amount paid so that the customer can come back and paddle on another day. If the customer refuses to accept the voucher, we will issue a refund, contact support for assistance.
To change the availability of the station, do the following
1. Log in to Admin and click on “Stations” in the left menu.
2. click on “Edit station” and on “Availability“.
3. Change the date to the new end date and optionally “Add availability” if you want to add opening hours later.
Don’t forget to reopen the station if you close it for the time being.
Stay close to shore
As paddling should be accessible to everyone, we encourage first-time paddlers and beginners to think about safety and stick to paddling relatively close to the shore.
Waters further from shore may have winds and currents that can steer you off course.
Be aware of motorboats which usually stay away from water fronts and shallower water, as deeper water means more motorboats. This of course applies in good conscience to all paddlers.
Paddle with company
As with many of life’s activities, it is often best to enjoy them with others. Paddling with others helps you explore nature and new surroundings and share new adventures. Enjoyable moments together are also appreciated for longer.
In practice, it’s also easier to paddle in company in case you capsize.
Paddle responsibly
We encourage everyone to paddle responsibly to avoid unfortunate situations or accidents. This focuses on keeping your senses sharp. This means that we strongly advise against paddling during late hours when temperatures can drop and visibility deteriorates due to the darkness of night.
We also strongly discourage paddling under the influence of substances that can impair your senses, such as alcohol!
We want paddling to be a safe experience for everyone, which means consciously taking responsibility for yourself and others.
eyes on the weather
It is equally important to pay attention to the weather when paddling. Paddling should be avoided when the weather becomes more threatening to avoid accidents or injuries. If the weather suddenly deteriorates before a booking, the operator can always suggest rebooking for a future date when the weather is much more manageable.
Always wear a PFD
We remind our users to always wear life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs) while using kayaks and SUPs. This is an important measure to ensure their personal safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
Safety is at the centre of our business, and we are proud to offer safe and reliable equipment to our users.
Please ensure that any pictures or videos you post on social media, for example, reflect our rigorous approach to safety; ALWAYS wear a life jacket when in a kayak or SUP.
don't worry
In the unfortunate situation of a kayak tipping over, it may seem like a tricky situation to somehow get back into the kayak, even with a life jacket. But don’t worry: a paddle float is included with the Sit-inside kayaks!
This dual-chamber inflatable device attaches to the end of the paddle on the water while the other can be attached under the elasticated ropes of the kayak. With this support, you can help push yourself back onto the kayak in a stable way. With the front and rear cargo sections of the kayak airtight, they ensure that the kayak does not sink completely.
The bail and sponge come in handy once you’ve managed to get back into the kayak.
You can take a quick look at the video below on when a paddle float becomes useful.
YouTube
The video created by the Canadian Safe Boating Council.
