Is Kayaking Dangerous? The Truth Behind the Risks 2026

The activity of kayaking is popular, and every summer new groups of people try it out. There are, however, some new worries that come with new adventures. Can kayaking be dangerous? In that case, what can I do to protect myself? 

Without the right preparation and knowledge, kayaking can be dangerous. Nevertheless, kayaking can be a fun activity to enjoy on the water if you know what obstacles you'll face, prepare for the weather, and have the right safety gear. 

Here are some reasons kayaking can be dangerous, and how you can prepare and prevent those situations. 

Dangers associated with kayaking

I thought a nice chart would be helpful to explore all the common kayaking dangers since there are so many . 

Each kayaking danger is briefly discussed in the chart. For more information on why these are dangerous and how to avoid them while kayaking, keep reading. 

Choosing Correct PFD For Kayaking

Most places require kayakers to wear personal floatation devices (PFDs) while kayaking.  However, what isn't mandated is that your PFD fits correctly and fits your water conditions. 

Choosing just any life jacket can put you at risk of choosing the wrong one for your size or weight. Having a life jacket that fits properly is essential to ensuring you remain alive if you end up needing one. 

Life jackets come in different types, so make sure you choose one that fits the type of water you'll be kayaking in before you go. Kayaking is even more dangerous if you're not a strong swimmer. Thus, choosing and wearing a life jacket properly is even more important. 

Place two fingers under the shoulder and press up to check the fit of your PFD. A PFD that rises to your ear is too big for you and you need to choose another one. 

Kayaking & Weirs

You may never have heard of a weir if you aren't an avid kayaker or aren't really into water hydraulics. Humans create weirs to control the level of rivers by building small dams. 

The size of these obstacles can be misleading, as what appears as a small obstacle can actually be a deadly current that traps you underwater unable to escape. 

Weirs have hydraulic currents of water at the bottom that cycle the water (and you, by default,) through a series of submersion and resubmersion. It will trap you under the water in a cycle from which you cannot escape. 

Paddling to land and walking your kayak across a weir is the best option if you encounter one. You can escape the weir hydraulic current by swimming downward or to the side if you are already trapped in it. 

Kayaking and Sun Exposure

Typically, kayaking exposes you to the sun. What people don't realize is that when you're kayaking you're actually exposed to the sun twice - first overhead, then from the reflection of the water. 

You should be aware of the dangers of prolonged sun exposure because you're getting twice as much sun as usual. In addition to sunburn, there's heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and ultraviolet keratitis, which is sunburn of the eyeballs. Your eyeball, of course! 

In order to minimize sun exposure, kayakers should wear sunscreen or sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and a hat. Be sure to monitor your body temperature and find some shade if you're having trouble cooling down. 

You should get out of the sun and off the water as soon as you feel headaches, nausea, fatigue, confusion, or anything else that doesn't feel right. Make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible if these symptoms persist. 

Kayaking and Hypothermia

What's it like to kayak in winter? Then you need to prevent hypothermia as soon as possible. It is one of the fastest ways for your body temperature to drop to dangerous levels when it gets too cold, and cold water is a leading cause of hypothermia.

Hypothermia can be prevented by wearing proper clothing when kayaking in the winter. If you need to change into warmer and drier clothing, pack some extra clothing in a dry bag. 

If you aren't sure how to kayak in winter, don't try it. A new kayaker should not attempt winter kayaking. Before going out in the cold, gain some experience. 

Kayaking and Waves/Tides/Currents

For kayakers who primarily paddle sea (or large lakes), waves, tides, and currents can be extremely dangerous. In large bodies of water, paddlers often find it difficult to control the currents, waves, and tides and can become stranded far from land. 

Your kayaking trip probably wasn't intended for that. Other than being aware of the weather and where you're kayaking, there's no real way to avoid waves, tides, and currents. You can however use some techniques to help you navigate out of one if you find yourself caught in one. 

Stay close to currents when paddling. The effort is futile and wastes a great deal of energy. As a result of currents, you must paddle at an angle until you can escape. 

When it comes to waves, you need to take a different approach. Paddling back to shore will require you to paddle into the waves. 

Kayaking and Strainers/Sweepers

Water surface obstacles are known as strainers and sweepers. Sweepers are obstacles lying on top of the water's surface, while strainers lie just beneath. 

Your kayak's flow can be impeded by obstacles such as branches, downed trees, and rocks. To avoid being stuck, just paddle around sweepers now that you can see them. 

The danger of strainers, however, is much greater. Branch, grass, and rock obstacles can form a tangled jumble beneath the water. Getting trapped in a strainer isn't a problem in calm water; however, in fast-moving water, you may become trapped under the water if you get caught in one. 

In fast-moving water, lean into strainers rather than away from them. In order to avoid tipping into it and flipping, lean towards it. 

Kayaking and Undercuts

Undercuts occur when a river bank juts out over water, but underneath is a hollow area filled with water. In a river rapid, you can also find an undercut beneath the large rocks. Undercuts cannot be seen on banks or rocks, so avoiding them if you don't know where they are is nearly impossible. 

When you hit one, it's going to trap you and you'll have to use a lot of force to escape. A person who is trained to handle undercuts will need to rescue you from this situation - you won't be able to paddle out on your own. 

Undercuts are best avoided altogether. You'll need to know where undercuts are before hitting the water since you can't see them. 

To locate undercuts, I recommend paddling with a local who knows where they are, or doing some research by reading up on the river you intend to paddle. 

Kayaking and Wildlife

While kayaking, you may encounter wildlife depending on where you are. The waterways in my New England home aren't filled with anything that's going to seriously threaten my life. 

While kayaking, it is always important to keep an eye out for wildlife. Alligators, crocodiles, and sharks might be encountered while kayaking if you are kayaking in places with these animals. 

While on the water, everyone should be aware of wildlife even if it isn't a life-threatening situation. I may encounter snakes, beavers, or snapping turtles while kayaking in the New England waterways I frequent. 

As for wildlife while kayaking, my best advice is to know what animals may be around and what to do if you encounter them. 

Kayaking and Dehydration

Kayaking can be dangerous because it can cause dehydration. It's possible to dehydrate while doing any outdoor activity, but some people forget how dangerous dehydration can be when doing water sports. Since I'm on the water, why should I be concerned about water?

This is absolutely incorrect. Kayaking increases your chances of getting dehydrated faster due to increased sun exposure. The sweat from exertion combined with this puts your body under a great deal of stress.

Keep extra water with you while kayaking and remember to drink it often in order to avoid dehydration! In addition to losing appetite, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and decreased sweating, look out for signs of dehydration. Get out of the water right away if those symptoms begin to appear. 

Getting Lost While Kayaking

In the final section of this article, we will discuss getting lost while kayaking. It's not a concern when kayaking in a river, pond, or small lake, but it's a serious concern when kayaking on large lakes and the open ocean. 

In large open bodies of water, kayakers may find themselves unable to see land as they paddle. Knowing how to navigate in the water is extremely important in cases such as these. 

You will need to contact the Coast Guard in case you become lost on the water. Making an emergency plan before departing is essential if you find yourself in a serious situation without a means of communication, so someone knows you're out on the water and what to do if you don't return. 

With this article, you should have a better understanding of how kayaking can be dangerous and how to prepare for several common kayaking dangers. 

To remain safe and enjoy your kayaking experience, you must prepare for potential dangers. 

Kayaking and Capsizing

On the water, kayaks can capsize at any time. It is well known that it is possible when you are in rough water or kayaking down rapids, but even on calm water, a strong wind gust or a rogue speed boat can cause this problem. 

You have to know how to get back upright if your kayak flips, otherwise you'll be in a dangerous situation. 

A flipped kayak can be handled in two ways. Practicing this in shallow water before relying on it in reality is the first step. From the water, you should get everything oriented right again once you exit the yak. 

It is imperative that you are prepared for both techniques in case your kayak capsizes. 

Kayaking and Large Boats

Other boats can sometimes cause kayaking dangers that you should avoid if at all possible. Kayaking on a river or lake with many boats is unlikely, especially if you're a novice. Larger boaters are also respectful of non-motorized watercraft. Unfortunately, there are a few that aren't. 

There's an issue with larger boats creating larger waves when they pass by. A boat's speed affects this as well, so the bigger the waves are if it moves faster. Although most boats slow down for kayakers in order to reduce waves, you may occasionally come across a large boat speeding down the water unconcerned about smaller boats. 

You need to be prepared for some large waves that could flip your kayak when this happens. 

It is always a good idea to paddle close to the shore when kayaking in areas with larger motorboats. Furthermore, you should paddle into big waves if you encounter them, as it will decrease the chances of flipping. Be familiar with how to flip the kayak back over and escape safely in the event that it flips over. 

Why is canoeing dangerous?

Canoeing can be dangerous due to various factors such as weather conditions, water currents, poorly maintained equipment, and lack of proper safety precautions. Other dangers include capsizing, hypothermia, and drowning. It's important to understand the risks associated with canoeing and to take necessary safety measures, such as wearing a life jacket, checking the weather forecast, and having the proper equipment. It's also important to understand your own abilities and limitations, and to paddle in areas that are appropriate for your skill level. Before you go on a canoeing trip, it's a good idea to take a safety course and to learn basic paddling and rescue techniques.