Terminology & Weather
A partition inside the kayak that creates a separate watertight compartment for gear stowage and buoyancy.
What is a Bulkhead?
A paddle stroke where the blade enters the water at the toes and exits at the hips in a parallel line alongside the boat on alternating sides.
What is a Forward Paddle?
This is an arrow at the top of the baseplate of a compass, outside of the compass housing.
What is the Direction of Travel arrow?
A kayaker must visibly display this when paddling at night.
What is a White Light?
The VHF Channel monitored by the US Coast Guard.
What is Channel 16?
The widest point of a kayak.
What is Beam?
The first step in any kayak rescue involving another person.
What is ask them if they are ok?
The route you are aiming to get to travel along whilst navigating.
What is your Course?
The direction you should alter your course towards to avoid a head on collision.
What is the Starboard side?
A Kayak, Wetsuit, Spray Skirt, PFD & Paddle.
What are the Big 5?
The distance that wind travels across open water.
What is Fetch?
An accessory that slips on to the end of your paddle to provide buoyancy and stability for a self-rescue.
What is a Paddle Float?
The back bearing to a bearing of 270 degrees.
What is 90 degrees?
The type of grid line that can be used to measure distances on a nautical chart.
What are lines of Latitude?
The first three words of a general announcement VHF radio call.
What is Securite, Securite, Securite?
The Beaufort Level you would begin to see whitecaps at.
What is Beaufort Level 3?
A loop of webbing or rope that can be used to aid re-entry into the cockpit.
What is a Stirrup?
This is a technique used to determine your location by monitoring your speed, distance, and time travelled in relation to known landmarks.
What is Dead Reckoning?
These colored buoys are designated by odd numbers.
What is Green?
The four key pieces of safety equipment for kayaking in foggy conditions.
What are:
1. Deck Compass
2. VHF Radio
3. Whistle or Horn
4. High Visibility Strobe Light
This is denoted by a single red triangular flag.
What is a Small Craft Advisory?
A moving turn that combines forward momentum, edging, and a support stroke to carve a smooth, tight turn.
What is a Low (or High) Brace Turn?
A Nautical mile in Statute Miles.
What is 1.151?
On a US Nautical Chart, this is denoted by a magenta tear drop shaped marker followed by the code Fl 6s 60ft 7M.
A lighthouse with a flashing white light every 6 seconds from 60ft of elevation and can be seen for 7 Nautical Miles.
When it is safe to paddle on the water after a lightening storm.
What is 30 minutes after the last 30 second flash-boom?