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Waka Ama Safety Equipment

It is important to know the required and recommended safety equipment for waka ama. Adequate waka ama equipment, in working order, is essential for safe, effective, and enjoyable waka ama experiences. It is important to check over all relevant equipment before heading out onto the water.

Required Safety Equipment

PFD - Personal Floatation Device

Under the Maritime NZ Rules Part 91 – Navigation Safety Rules and navigational safety bylaws everyone on a vessel, and that includes waka, is required to have available an appropriate and correct fitting PFD, and that it should be worn at times of heightened risk such as rough seas, strong ocean currents and open waters. Most paddlers use some sort of recreational buoyancy vest which will not impede paddling, or climbing back onto their craft. However it is important to understand that a buoyancy vest, unlike a lifejacket, may not support an unconscious person face up in the water.

PFDs are essential for novice and junior paddlers.

A PFD should always:
  • Be in excellent condition
  • Have the correct buoyancy rating for your weight
  • Be the correct size for your body
  • Be fitted properly. This usually means correctly fitting shoulder straps (some are adjustable) and firmly adjusted chest and waist fastenings. A common fault is wearing a PFD too loosely which means that when you are in the water the PFD rides up above your shoulders leaving your nose underwater
  • Be accessible

You should have at least two forms of communication - ensure this is in a waterproof case/bag and is accessible.

A very brief message to all craft in the area on channel 16, stating that you are on the water, can alert others to your presence.

Cell phones are restrictive in that they are only heard by the person dialled and have limited ‘coverage areas’. If you have a cell phone, of course – take it with you, but always keep it in a waterproof bag.

Under Maritime NZ Rules Part 22: Collision Prevention, it is a requirement that craft must be visible on the water from all directions (360') from sunset to sunrise and/or at times of restricted visibility.  

The light must be at least one meter high above the waka and not be flashing - it needs to be a static light. 

At least 2x bailers for a W6.

If a waka capsizes, usually some water enters the cockpit when it is righted. This can be drained either by a hand operated pump, or by a simple bailer which can be made out of a common plastic container.

It is important to carry a spare paddle incase your paddle gets broken or floats away whilst out paddling.

It is recommended that spare paddles are secured to the kiato with rubber lashing or kept behind the steerer where appropriate.

Reflective day-glow tape may be fixed to paddles to improve visibility generally or attract attention in an emergency when ‘blazing’.

If your waka has bungs, it is important that they are done up and used whilst paddling. This will keep your waka air tight.

Make sure they are in place, firm (do not over-tighten), and not worn at the thread. Check the bung is usable and not cracked.

Recommended Safety Equipment

A 25m rope at a minimum is sufficient. A rope of about 40 metres can be used if you need a tow, or if you need to tow someone else. It need not be a great thick rope, about 4mm diameter will do. When using a tow rope it is very important to have a quick release fastening.

An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) or PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) can be carried by paddlers to provide a signal in an emergency without relying on another party physically seeing or hearing. 

Waka should use good fitting spray skirts if in open water and in heightened weather conditions. The spray skirt turns the cockpit into a water proof compartment and prevents excess water entering the hull. Zips and draw strings must be functional and duct tape can be used to keep the spray skirt tightly fitted to the waka.

Similar to a surfers leg leash, the leash commonly made of flexible cord or webbing goes around you ankle secured by a Velcro strap, the other end connects to the waka. The purpose is to keep you attached to the waka should it capsize. This is required for W1 paddlers using OC1 style waka. These waka are very light an could easily get blown away from you in windy conditions. However use of a leg leash while departing or landing in surf can have dangers. If you get tipped out and tumbled about in surf you run the risk of being entangled in the leash.

Other Equipment

  • Water bottle/energy snacks: If you are paddling any distance you need to keep well hydrated. You can use an ordinary water bottle, but make sure it is tied onto your Waka. Most paddlers use a backpack drinking system for long distance paddling. Energy bars or similar can also provide nourishment.
  • Knife: A sharp knife can have many uses from freeing yourself or others from entanglement, to fishing.
  • Survival kit: On a serious trip paddlers should carry a small bag containing survival gear that they can grab if they get washed onto some remote shoreline. This can contain first aid gear, an emergency blanket, emergency shelter, fire lighting equipment, energy food.
  • First aid kit: A small, basic first aid kit should be carried.

Waka Visibility

There are many factors that can prevent boaties from seeing waka and other craft that sit low in the water. Conditions such as choppy water, fog, glare, sun strike, rain, wind in the eyes, salt spray on the windshield, poor vision or a combination of any of these can affect a boaties ability to spot a small craft in the water. Waka ama paddlers and others using similar craft can do a lot to dramatically improve their visibility – and therefore their own safety.

  • Wear a bright fluro hat: Your head is your highest point – make it as bright as possible. Day-glow orange or yellow hats are highly visible.
  • Blazing paddles: Motion is another important visibility tool. Because your hoe (paddle) is in constant motion while paddling, you can increase your visibility by using reflective tape on blades or shafts, in combination with strips of day-glow tape.
  • Fly the flag: Day-glow orange and yellow chopper flags provide a permanent bright flash at a good height above the water. Chopper flags ‘break the horizon’ of other vessels and draw attention to the waka.
  • Colourful craft: Choose a waka in a bright, contrasting colour.
  • Dress to impress and protect: Wearing a day-glow orange or yellow paddle jacket or over shirt offers the highest visibility potential.
  • Warm, dry clothing: Effective clothing for paddlers in winter is a top made of polypropylene (or similar synthetic fibre), plus a waterproof wind shell as necessary.
  • Stay together: If you are paddling with others, stay in close range of each other

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