‘Grading’ Open Water for Canoe and Kayak Paddlers
Many people who canoe or kayak on white water or rivers use the grading system to help them understand and anticipate what they are likely to be up against when they get onto the water. No such system exists for canoeists on large lakes or lochs. The system laid out below is has been designed for using in these situations, and is loosely based on a system some sea kayakers use.
Score the following-
Water Temperature – 1 point for each degree below 20C
Wind – 1 point for each mph
Wave height – 2 points for each vertical foot (trough to crest)
Waves breaking – if yes add 10 points
Potential Swim distance – 1 point for every 25m (normal clothes), 100m (wet or dry suit)
Paddling at night/fog – 20 points
Each misc hazard (eg difficulty communicating, remoteness, time on the water, tiredness etc)- 10 points
Add up the scores from the above, then divide the total by 10 to get a grade. The grades are-
Grade 1 – easy conditions suitable for beginners close to shore.
Grade 2 – Moderate conditions, intermediate skills required.
Grade 3 – Intermediate to advanced skills required.
Grade 4 – Difficult – advanced skills required.
Grade 5+ – Very difficult – experts only.
As an example. Paddling across a 200m lake, water temperature 10C, wind force 3 (10mph), 1 foot waves, long fetch so some whitecaps, daytime, dressed in pile and fleece clothes.
Water Temperature – 1 point for each degree below 20C – 10 points
Wind – 1 point for each mph -10 points
Wave height – 2 points for each vertical foot (trough to crest) -2points
Waves breaking – if yes add 10 points -Yes 10 points
Swim distance – 1 point for every 25m from shore (normal clothes), 100m (wet or dry suit) -100m in normal clothes – 4 points
Paddling at night/fog – 20 points -0 points
Any misc hazard – 10 points -0 points
Total – 36 points. Divide by 10 = 3.6
Grade 3 – Intermediate to advanced skills required.
