Water Sports Safety. I’m the idiot who once got dragged out to sea in a kayak because “the current looks fun.” it wasn’t. here are the safety rules i now live by so you don’t end up as a cautionary tale on tiktok.
The Time I Almost Became a Paddleboard Meme
maui, 2022. rented a board with zero lessons. thought “how hard can it be?” 20 minutes later i’m a mile offshore screaming at fishermen. they rescued me with a dinghy and a lot of side-eye. never again.
Gear That Actually Keeps You Alive
- life jacket (pfd type iii minimum, not that floaty noodle thing)
- whistle on a lanyard (yell all you want, nobody hears you)
- sunscreen (reef-safe or the fish cancel you)
- water shoes (rocks + coral = emergency room)
- dry bag for your phone (because maps don’t work when they’re swimming)
Read the Damn Signs Water Sports Safety
- red flag = stay out. even if the water looks “totally fine”
- rip currents pull sideways, not out to sea (swim parallel to shore)
- jellyfish season? cover up or suffer
- no lifeguard = no you in the water
Buddy System (Even If Your Buddy Sucks)
- never go alone unless you’re a navy seal (i’m not)
- tell someone your plan (kayaking to that island? text your mom)
- check in every hour or they call search and rescue
Weather Is Your Boss
- check marine forecast 24 hours before (wind direction matters)
- sudden clouds = get out now
- tide charts or you get stranded on a sandbar at low tide (happened to me)
Pro Tips From Someone Who’s Eaten Entire Waves
- take a 30-minute lesson before trying anything with a board
- alcohol + water sports = how people die on vacation
- know your limits and then add 20% buffer
- carry a safety kit (first aid, emergency blanket, knife)
What I Always Forget And Then Panic About
- extra pair of socks (wet feet = blisters from hell)
- waterproof phone case (because “it’s in a zip-lock” fails)
- the sunscreen i just bought (it’s always in the car)
anyway if you’re about to attempt water sports safety tips for travelers just know i’m cheering for you from my couch covered in aloe. start small. wear the life jacket. don’t be me.
what’s your “i almost died but lived to laugh about it” water story?? drop it below because i need to feel normal.
now excuse me while i google “do flamingo floaties have weight limits” for research. send life jackets and therapy
