BEAUFORT SCALE FOR SEA KAYAKERS

Beaufort Windspeed
Description On Land On The Water Paddling
Scale Knots MPH

Calm, smoke rises Sea surface smooth and

0 0 0 Calm Very easy, flat water paddling; beginners will be at ease.
vertically mirror-like

Smoke drift indicates

Scaly ripples, no foam Very easy, still no significant problems for beginners. A good time to
1 1-3 1-3 Light Air wind direction, still wind
crests practice self-rescue and bracing skills.
vanes

Wind felt on face, leaves Easy, comfortable kayaking for everyone. Headwind is cooling and
Light Small wavelets, crests
2 4-6 4-7 rustle, vanes begin to refreshing. Tail wind imperceptible. Pool practiced skills still reliable.
Breeze glassy, no whitecaps
move Beginners may capsize on beach landings.

Fairly easy; good kayaking weather. Noticeable work paddling into a head
wind. Novices start having trouble in cross winds. Novice pool skills may
Leaves and small twigs Large wavelets, crests
Gentle fail. A lost kayak will require vigorous swimming to catch. Practiced paddle
3 7-10 8-12 constantly moving, light begin to break, scattered
Breeze float self-rescue reliable. On-side roll should be sufficient. A very good time
flags extended whitecaps
to practice those assisted rescues and rolling skills. Novice paddlers may
capsize on exposed beach landings.

Moderate; invigorating for most; comfortable limit for novices. Sustained

effort into headwinds, Tail winds start to create following waves. Not the
Dust, leaves, and loose Small waves becoming
Moderate time to need your first ever attempt at a paddle float self-rescue. A lost kayak
4 11-16 13-18 paper lifted, small tree longer, numerous
Breeze will drift faster than you can swim. Assisted T-Rescue reliable. Rolling skills
branches move whitecaps
practiced only in a pool not reliable. Exposed points and beaches may have
significant surf making landing difficult.

Moderately difficult; novices find boat control difficult and feel unstable.
Moderate waves taking No problem for experienced kayakers. Paddles may start to flutter.
Fresh Small trees in leaf begin
5 17-21 19-24 longer form, many Crosswinds may become difficult. Paddle-float self-rescue difficult. Reliable
Breeze to sway
whitecaps, some spray assisted T-Rescue skills recommended. Single-side rolling skilled practiced
in conditions recommended. Seek sheltered beaches for landing.

Difficult; Hard paddling into the wind - upper limit of practical paddling into
the wind. Wind catches paddle blades. Communication difficult. Following
Larger tree branches Larger waves, some
Strong seas require concentration. For experienced paddlers only. Paddle-float
6 22-27 25-31 moving, whistling in breakers, whitecaps
Breeze rescue almost impossible. Not the time to need your first roll outside of a
wires common, more spray
pool. Assisted rescues start to become difficult. Sheltered landing coves and
beaches required.

Very difficult; Strenuous. Little or no progress into the wind. Cross winds
Whole trees moving, Sea heaps up, breakers very difficult. Following seas exhilarating for experienced paddlers, but
7 28-33 32-38 Near Gale resistance felt walking common. white foam includes significant likelihood of capsize. Rolling skills on both sides highly
against wind streaks off breakers recommended. Assisted rescues very difficult. Access to sheltered landings
may be difficult.

Moderately high waves of Extremely difficult; Very Strenuous. No progress into the wind; boat control
Whole trees in motion, greater length, edges of is a real problem; communication and rescues extremely difficult. Lots of
8 34-40 39-46 Gale resistance felt walking crests begin to break into concentration required down wind. Progress across the wind not practical.
against wind spindrift, foam blown in You’ll be on your own! Bombproof rolling skills required. Fight to access
streaks more sheltered landing zones .

Slight structural damage High waves, sea begins to Dangerous; Survival paddling. Constant fight to maintain control. Rescues
Strong
9 41-47 47-54 occurs, slate blows off roll, dense streaks of foam, and communications almost impossible. Seek shelter on land. Roll or die.
Gale
roofs spray may reduce visibility Pray to get blown towards a sheltered landing spot.
Very high waves with
Seldom experienced on
overhanging crests, sea Very dangerous; Survival situation; only real option is to run with the wind
land, trees broken or
10 48-55 55-63 Storm white with densely blown or possibly deploy a sea anchor. Roll and die. Cry as you get blown past a
uprooted, "considerable
foam, heavy rolling, safe landing zone.
structural damage"
lowered visibility