Australian Centre for
Paddling Safety
Safer Paddling Through Knowledge

Stories & Reports


Paddle Safety

Near Misses

Learning from Near Misses

We can learn a lot from those who have skirted with disaster - marine rescue, entrapments, shark attacks - never let a near miss go to waste when there is learning to be done.

 Click on image to visit the Near Misses page

Paddle Safety

8 February 2022

Jennifer Burford, age 48

Jennifer Burford was a kayak instructor, active in her club and recently returned from a kayaking trip in Ecuador.

 Click on image to read the media report

26 February 2021

Unknown Male, Age 46

Rob Mousely describes conditions leading to the death of an unidentified male paddling a surf ski off Cape Town, South Africa.

 Click on image to read the Surf Ski Info report

Kayak safety

31 May 2020

Tony Williamson, age 54

Tony Williamson, an experienced sea kayaker, decided a coastal paddle was a perfect birthday outing. His fellow paddlers detail how, despite his experience, on the day he demonstrated a lack of judgement, patience and cooperation.

 Click on image to read the media report

14 December 2015

Doug Tompkins, age 72

Doug Tompkins' credentials for kayaking were above reproach. A veteran of many first descents down many white water rivers. How then, could he perish on a sea kayaking trip across a lake in Chile?

Click on image to read the National Geographic account of his death

Kayak safety

2020

76% US whitewater incidents <G3

American Whitewater Accident Database records over 1600 fatalities and close calls on whitewater rivers dating back to 1972. The database demonstrate 76% of incidents (deaths and close calls) occur on either flat water or Grade 1 or 2 moving water

Click on image to read the report

Kayak safety

2021

New Zealand - 16 kayak deaths

This report from Maritime New Zealand identifies 16 kayaking deaths in New Zealand between 2015 and 2020.

Click on image to read the report

Paddle Safety

2021

New Zealand - 3 kayak deaths pa

This report from Water Safety New Zealand identifies an average of 3 death per year in paddlecraft and oared boats. In both 2019 and 2020 - 4 deaths were attributed in this category for each year.

Click on image to read the report

Kayak deaths

2021

US Coast Guard - 96 kayak deaths

This report identifies 96 deaths in kayaks during 2021 in the USA. Between 2005 and 2021 deaths in kayaks/canoes has increased from 10% to 20% of overall (vessel based) deaths

Click on image to read the report

Paddle safety

2021

Kayak Rescues - RNLI save lives

The UK's Royal National Lifeboat Institution report launching lifeboat rescues over 172 times to rescue kayakers.

Click on image to read the report

Paddle safety

2021

National Centre for Cold Water Safety

This US based website investigates and promote safer paddling in cold water.

Click on image to read the report