Tips from the Team | Stay Safe on the Water (Kayak & SUP Edition)

City First Aid
8 hours ago
2 min read

Updated: 40 minutes ago

Person wearing a red jacket and life jacket paddling a blue and yellow kayak on calm blue water near Kaikōura, New Zealand, with distant hills under a bright sky

One of the best things about living in Aotearoa | New Zealand is our incredible coastline! In my opinion, the best way to experience it is by kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). Traveling slowly and quietly lets you get close to wildlife and enjoy some of the most breathtaking views. Doing this safely is key to having a fun and enjoyable day out!

Whether you’re kayak fishing, training for the Coast to Coast, or just enjoying a SUP on Cass Bay with your whānau, here are some simple steps and tips to help you stay safe:

Preparation is Key

Most incidents can be prevented with a little preparation. Check the weather forecast before you go—not only for the time you plan to head out, but for the whole duration of your trip. We all know how quickly the weather can change in New Zealand! Wind often picks up in the afternoon, so think ahead about how that might affect you.

Always Wear Floatation

This could be a life jacket or buoyancy aid. 90% of those who drowned in New Zealand in 2024 were not wearing any form of floatation*. A life jacket doesn’t have to be expensive or uncomfortable. The best way to find the right fit is to go to a shop and try some on. If you’re in Christchurch, try supporting locally owned stores like Paddler Zone or Further Faster.

Person wearing a red jacket, sunglasses, and life jacket paddling a blue and yellow kayak on clear blue water near Kaikōura, New Zealand, with green hills in the background

Know What to Do

Learning about your craft, how to plan a safe trip, how to paddle it effectively, and what to do if things go wrong are all vital skills. Two excellent organisations provide free safety sessions over summer across New Zealand:

NZ SUP – Stand Up Paddleboard safety
Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK) – Kayak safety

View from a kayak paddle showing two dolphins swimming just below the surface of clear blue water near Kaikōura, New Zealand, with green hills and mountains in the background

Float to Live tips

If you fall into the water, it can be a shock. Cold water can trigger an involuntary gasp, sometimes leading to swallowing water. Panic can set in quickly. Try to follow the five steps of the UK’s Float to Live campaign:**

Lay on your back and tilt your head backwards. Submerge your ears.
Relax and control your breathing.
Move your hands and legs gently.
Don’t worry if your legs sink—that’s normal.
Practice floating in a safe, supervised environment such as a swimming pool.

First Aid Matters

No matter how much planning you do, sometimes things just go wrong. If someone gets injured or suffers a medical emergency while kayaking or SUPing, you may be in a remote location. Having first aid knowledge and effective communication can make all the difference. It’s generally difficult to perform first aid effectively on the water, so your first priority is usually to get the casualty back to land.

At City First Aid, our tutors are outdoor enthusiasts themselves, including a Coastguard team member and an experienced outdoor instructor. Don’t be fooled by our business name—we’ve got you covered for all your adventurous first aid questions!