Water sports safety

Find out about the key weather hazards and safety checks for kayaking, canoeing, surfing and other water sports

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Weather hazards for surfing, paddling and other water sports

Experienced paddlers and surfers may be able to handle rougher conditions while beginners may need to seek out calm conditions.

Know your abilities and which weather conditions are a risk to your safety.

Hazards will vary between different types of water bodies, including:

  • inlets, bays, lakes and rivers – enclosed waters
  • coasts and oceans – exposed open waters.

Before you go paddling, kayaking, canoeing or surfing, check:

  • weather warnings
  • wind conditions
  • river height levels and flow
  • waves, swell and tides for coastal areas
  • weather forecast
  • temperature.
Photograph of a flotilla of kayakers off the coast of Hinchinbrook Island on a sunny day.

Kayakers paddling along the coast of Hinchenbrook Island, Queensland

Know your local conditions

Local weather conditions can affect the forecast for the area.

For example, the direction of the coastline can cause winds to vary across different parts of a local or coastal waters area. This can affect wind speed and direction, or the timing of wind changes such as sea breezes.

Tidal currents can be stronger in estuaries, channels and inlets affecting wave conditions, such as wave height and direction.

Check the marine weather forecasts and be aware of tide times and when weather conditions may change.

Lakes, rivers and inland waterways

Be aware of river conditions and the potential for flooding in the river or catchment you're in.

Check our:

  • Flood Watch warnings – for early advice on potential flooding.
  • Flood Warnings – when flooding is occurring or expected to occur.
  • River observations – for river height and changing water levels.

Flooded creeks or rivers will be dangerous with turbulent flow, debris and submerged hazards. Do not attempt to enter flooding waters.

Real-time river height observations are available for hundreds of locations across Australia. Check for changing water levels particularly around flood thresholds.

Weather upstream can affect water levels where you are, even if it's sunny. For example, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, snow melt, or dam releases.

Water levels can rise fast after rain, or it might take weeks or even months for floodwaters to reach where you are. Be familiar with your paddling location and the waterways that feed into it.

Winds can generate dangerous waves with the risk of swamping your paddlecraft. Check the forecast wind wave heights for inland waters such as large lakes. Learn more about waves.

Tides can cause strong currents in rivers and estuaries which can be difficult to swim or paddle against. Check the tide direction and times.

Coastal and marine areas

On a paddlecraft, you'll feel the effects of wave conditions, so even small waves can be imposing. If you're a novice paddler, limit yourself to waves less than 0.5 m.

Tides can cause strong currents, especially in areas with islands, channels, estuaries and sandbars. These tidal currents can be strong enough to restrict your ability to make forward progress.

Tidal currents can also make waves steeper and unpredictable. Be aware of local tidal currents, direction and times before setting out.

Check the forecast for mentions of weather hazards or conditions that could make your time on the water uncomfortable or unsafe, such as:

  • heavy rainfall
  • strong wind
  • poor visibility caused by fog or rain
  • very high or low temperatures.

Review the forecast regularly for your destination and for the journey to and from home.

Learn more about marine weather hazards and warnings in our Marine weather safety section.

Weather safety checks for water sports

Weather warnings

Weather warnings will alert you to hazardous conditions such as:

  • strong winds
  • dangerous surf
  • thunderstorms
  • floods
  • heatwaves
  • other types of severe weather.

If a warning is issued for your area change your plans for safer conditions.

Not all weather conditions that put you at risk will lead to an official warning. For example:

  • Small amounts of rain can result in rapid changes in water levels in some creeks and rivers – but not result in a Flood Watch or Warning.
  • All thunderstorms produce lightning and can be dangerous while out on the water – but we only issue warnings for severe thunderstorms.
  • On open water, wind conditions can be difficult or dangerous for small boats and paddlecraft – but Marine Wind Warnings are not issued until average wind speeds are expected to reach 26 knots or 48 km/h.

Learn more about marine warnings on our Marine weather hazards and warnings page.

Learn more about severe weather and coastal hazards in our Severe weather knowledge centre.

Check the local and coastal waters forecasts and warnings and alerts for your area.

Check the forecast

Whether you are going paddling on a lake or river inland, or in open waters along the coast, check the weather forecast and review it regularly before you go.

Watch for mentions of weather hazards or conditions that could make your time on the water uncomfortable or unsafe, such as:

  • heavy rainfall
  • strong wind
  • poor visibility caused by fog or rain
  • very high or low temperatures.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels

No matter what the UV index, sun protection is recommended if you're outside for extended periods. Water is a reflective surface and increases your exposure. You'll find UV levels in our forecasts.

Temperature and heat

Check the 'feels like' temperature. This takes into account humidity and wind and will affect your comfort.

Heatwave conditions will cause an increased rate of dehydration and heat stroke. Use our heatwave service for a better indication of heat stress than the minimum and maximum temperatures alone.

Wind speed and direction

Novice paddlers should limit themselves to winds less than 10 knots and advanced paddlers to no more than 20 knots. Wind waves can cause dangerous conditions for kayaking and canoeing on lakes.

For surfers, wind direction will affect the quality of breaking waves.

  • An 'offshore' wind blows from the land towards the ocean. In these conditions, the ocean surface is smooth and the waves break cleanly.
  • An 'onshore' wind blows from the ocean towards the land. In these conditions, the ocean surface will become bumpy and affect the quality of the breaking waves.

Wind direction and swell can create perfect or dangerous conditions for your favourite surf spot.

Learn more about wind hazards in our Marine weather safety section.

Waves and swell

Check the wave forecast for:

  • swell
  • wave direction.

Swell waves are more powerful than wind waves. Beaches that are more exposed to certain wave directions may receive larger waves than protected beaches.

Tide level and times

If you're planning activities along the coastline and in estuaries, know how the tide times may affect your route access. An outgoing tide may make it more difficult to return to shore, particularly if combined with rip currents.

Tide levels can also affect the wave quality at your favourite surf spot.

If the tide is too low, the wave height usually becomes smaller and the waves break in a dumping manner.

If the tide height is too high, the waves may not break on the normal sandbanks or the waves may break in a softer crumbling manner.

Learn about tides and sea level, or check the tide times in the coasts and oceans forecast.

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