Safety course offered to kayak groups
A safety course for paddle craft users is the latest educational offering from Marine Rescue Central Coast.
Members of both Central Coast Kayaking and Newcastle's Sea Kayak Adventure groups gained experience in the form of safety tips and survival methods from the new course, presented on the weekend of May 18 and 19.
The course has been compiled by local Marine Rescue unit member Dr Steven Constantine.
The Sea Kayak Adventure group was formed for people with little or no sea kayaking experience to explore coasts, beaches, bays, lakes and islands by sea kayak, while the Central Coast group describes itself as an "easy social paddle kayak" organisation.
The course, held at Gosford, covered all aspects of safety, including the importance of letting Marine Rescue know when you head out and return, how to manage an incident, and reporting your location, said Dr Constantine.
"Free mobile phone apps that are available, including those from Marine Rescue, Paddle Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian developed Emergency Plus, were discussed in detail during the informative two-hour session.
"Both kayaking groups were well represented and were very receptive to the safety issues discussed," he said.
"Marine Rescue Central Coast is keen to offer similar safety educational courses to other water-based recreational groups in the area."
For further information, contact Dr Constantine at at the Marine Rescue unit on 4337 9600.
SOURCE:
Media release, 19 May 2024
David Wicks, Marine Rescue Central Coast