Weather and wind for paddlers

The weather decides more than anything else how a paddle trip turns out. Reading the forecast and understanding the wind is the simplest safety measure you can learn – more important than expensive kit. Always check weather and wind before you go out, and be ready to change the plan.

Wind is what decides

Wind creates waves and makes paddling heavy. Check both wind strength (m/s) and direction in a forecast, and remember that gusts are often several metres per second stronger than the mean. A good rule of thumb for the unused: paddle in the lee and avoid open water if it blows more than a light breeze.

Offshore wind and onshore wind

Offshore wind blows from land out onto the water. It is sneaky – at the beach it can seem calm, but further out it is hard, and paddling back into the wind is heavy. Onshore wind blows in towards land; it builds waves against the beach but at least takes you the right way if you get tired. Plan the trip so you have the wind against you on the way out and at your back home, while you are fresh.

Waves and open water

On large lakes and open sea the waves build with wind strength and with how far the wind has been able to work. Open reaches and headland passages are most exposed. Stay close to shore, plan short open crossings and avoid crossing large water surfaces in a side wind if you are unused.

Weather shifts, cold and thunder

The weather can turn quickly, especially in the mountains and on the coast. Bring windproof and extra layers – water and wind cool fast. Go ashore in good time at thunder risk. More on cold water and cooling in our guide on safety.

Plan from the forecast

Look at the forecast the evening before and again in the morning. Decide a turning point and a “latest back” time. If the forecast is uncertain – pick a smaller, sheltered water. Find quiet lakes and sheltered bays via the map.