We grade rivers on a 1-5 scale based on the requirements to follow a particular route and their dangers. We can similarly grade sea kayak journeys/activities by their seriousness, exposure, conditions and risk.
The most well-known scale is a simple 2 tier one: moderate or advanced.
Moderate conditions (upper limit for intermediate paddlers led by a sea kayak leaders1) are defined by their upper limit conditions: “A stretch of coastline with some areas where it is not easy to land but there will always be straightforward land points a maximum of two nautical miles apart. Crossings not exceeding two nautical miles. Up to 2 Knots of tide (but not involving tide race or overfalls). Wind strengths do not exceed Beaufort force 4. Launching and landing through surf (up to 1 metre, trough to crest height).”
Advanced conditions can be anything more than this determined by the group’s abilities. Club trips at this higher level would need to be led by an advanced sea kayak leader2.
Trips can also be graded A-D based on seriousness
- (Easy/beginner): Sheltered waters, calm winds (Force 2/3), manageable distances (typically <15 km/day), practiced wet exits. E.g. Berwick/Spittal/Marshall meadows area
- (Moderate/Improver/intermediate): Tidal streams, some exposure, up to Force 4, longer distances (up to 24 km), 3/4-star skills needed. E.g. Eyemouth to Berwick
- (Difficult/early advanced): More challenging conditions, longer duration (up to 30 km), potentially rougher seas, 4/5-star skills, reliable rolling very useful. High fitness and ability to paddle against wind and into short stretches of high flow needed. E.g. Coldingham to Fast castle head in F4/5
- (Advanced/Expert): Extreme conditions, likely to encounter fast tides, high winds, cover long distances (40km+), difficult crossings, requiring expert skills, experience and fitness. E.g. Farnes at springs in F5/6
There has also been a 1-6 scale devised by the famous Sea kayaker Eric Soares based on a points system – the ‘Sea Conditions Rating System’ (SCRS) (https://tsunamirangers.com/articles-sea-conditions-kayaking-difficulty-rating-system/sea-conditions-kayaking-difficulty-rating-system/)
To work out the score add up all the scores below
- Water Temperature 0.5 point for each degree below 22 c. (Max points 40)
- Wind Speed 1 point per mph of wind speed (Max 50)
- Wave Height 2 points per vertical wave foot (Max 40)
- Swim Distance to Safety 1 point per 100 meters (Max 20)
- Breaking Waves 30 points if waves are breaking (Max 30)
- Rock Garden 20 points if paddling in rocks
- Sea Cave 20 points if entering sea caves
- Night 20 points if it is night
- Fog Up to 20 points if fog is dense
- Miscellaneous 10 points or more for other danger
TOTAL POINTS (i.e. sum all the points)
Divide total points by 20 to obtain CLASS LEVEL
Example calculation:
A trip from Bamburgh with 3-foot surf forecast in winter in a F4 at neaps
6 (10c) +18 (wind speed) +6 (height of waves) +20 (distance from land) +20 (moderate surf) = 70 =grade 3 (intermediate)
If at springs to go tide race playing with a 4-foot surf – grade 4 with an additional 10 for wind against tide races and another 10 for rescue complexity of high-speed tides =92, (+- another 10 pushing it to grade 5 if you go out to Knivestone)
Note all the above assume there are qualified leaders, and everyone is appropriately equipped.
Footnotes:
- “sea kayak leader” is a formal qualifications. ↩︎
- “advance sea kayak leader” is a formal qualification ↩︎