In order to be visible while kayaking, you must stand out. But many bright colors don’t have the visibility you’d think. Learn which colors do stand out and will keep you visible on the water.
Pretty obvious but tell that to the paddler who buys the bright red PFD! Sure, its bright and noticeable…a hundred thousand fire trucks can’t be wrong! Still, once out on the ocean, some lighting dynamics set in and those red wavelengths peter out quickly. Add some diffused light or shadows and that red seems to turn black. Those who have gel coated/composite kayaks typically opt for various colored decks while accepting the common hull colors of white or ivory.
From a thousand feet in the air, when overturned from a capsize, that tiny 15′ hull looks very similar to the white crest line on a windblown wave. Imagine how hard it would be to spot a capsized kayaker in the dark, slate-colored waters wearing a green or blue life jacket? Our recommendation is to get whatever color you want for your boat but wear a bright yellow life jacket!
If you must opt for style or vanity, at least go with a strobe or other light on your PFD. In addition to your boat and PFD, consider buying gear with bright colors, too. Think survival; think signal. That large stuff sack you bought is handy, but couldn’t it be blaze orange or yellow …or robin’s egg blue and carry just as much gear? What a handy flagging signal or ground sign it could make. Same thing goes for tents, or tent flies. OK, so you don’t want to advertise your location on the beach, that’s understandable.
However, if you are prone to go beyond the edge more than others, consider bright colors. If not the tent, the fly. If not the fly, a ground cloth. Being aware of the benefits of different colors can be useful when planning group trips – let the bright colors start and end the procession. If you are filing a float plan, make sure that you clearly describe your boat colors —and PFD’s. Kayaking is meant to be fun…and colorful!
Safe paddling.