Current

One of the biggest risk factors in sea kayaking is one beginners rarely consider. The water in the ocean moves. Constantly. In most parts of the world, the tide comes and goes twice a day. As the tide changes the water has to move. In some places, tidal currents may be faster than the average kayaker can paddle.

Ignoring currents can be dangerous. At best they will make you paddle farther than you wanted or needed to. At worst they can push you out beyond your safety zone. When combined with wind currents, they can cause very rough conditions. But you may never know you are paddling in a current until you find yourself far off course. Do not assume that you will feel a current; a 4 kt (7.4 kph) current in a wide open sound feels exactly like stationary water. Often the only way to detect that you are in a current is via navigation using natural ranges or a GPS. Good judgement requires that you know about the possiblitity of currents in your paddling area and that you plan accordingly. Rip currents can creat extremely rough conditions even on an otherwise calm day.

While kayaking, it is a false assumption to believe that if you stop paddling you will stop moving. Currents and wind will soon put you somewhere else.

In whitewater, current is the source of the conditions you are seeking on the river. The current is what makes the water white. As the water flows over the rocks and obstructions on the bottom the energy in the current creates waves and holes.