Safety

Recreational Paddling - Safety

Keauhou Canoe Club has established Safety as its highest priority for all of its programs.  Safety means protecting our paddlers, our canoes, and others around us. The following is a minimum safety checklist for Keauhou paddlers:

  • Prepare to swim - either be able to swim in open ocean a minimum of ten (10) minutes or survival float up thirty (30) minutes or wear a life vest.
  • Know the conditions - evaluate the water and weather conditions before you go paddling.
  • Consider your skill - evaluate your skill and the skills of others in your boat before you launch.  Only qualified steerspersons can take out the OC-6 canoes.  The boat crew should know their roles in the event of a huli (capsize).
  • Consider your condition - Are you well rested and well hydrated?  Do you have adequate sun protection?
  • Consider your equipment - evaluate the condition of your canoe, including rigging, and make sure that you have adequate safety gear, including a boarding rope, two bailers, and safety equipment pack.
  • Consider your route - OC-6 canoes traveling north out of Keauhou Bay must be west of a line extending from Red Hill to the Point south of the Sheraton before turning north, in order to avoid the surf break outside He`eia Bay.  See Safety Map.
  • Float Plan - Make sure someone on shore knows where you are going and when you will return and who to call for help.
For more information see Safety Policy

Click here to download the Safety Map