safety rules

Dear kayakers, before you take a kayaking tour of our coastline, we highly recommend that you take a look at some of the most important personal safety tips.

Bora and sirocco (locally known as bura and jugo) are the most characteristic winds of the Adriatic and they affect not only the navigation and human activities, but also the natural features of the coast.

Sirocco

Sirocco is a southeast to south wind that blows for several days and brings with it low pressure and mostly high humidity. It does not occur suddenly, it blows mostly evenly at a speed of 6 to 11 m/s (22 to 40 km/h), but sometimes it reaches hurricane strength at 30 m/s (110 km/h). It is strongest on the open sea, where it creates big waves. Sirocco never rises suddenly; it reaches its full strength only after 24 to 36 hours of blowing.

Upon its occurrence, the south-eastern horizon is covered by low clouds that later accumulate around the tops of the hills and gradually cover the entire upper part of the mainland, then the rest of the sky is covered with thick, low lead-coloured clouds; visibility is partially limited and growing waves are generated from the southeast (locally known as dead sea).

Bora

Bora is a strong, dry and cold, gusty (changing direction and speed abruptly) and turbulent wind from the mainland that blows for several days, and can sometimes reach hurricane strength on our coast. Bora with speeds of 20 to 35 m/s (70 to 200 km/h) occurs frequently, interrupting traffic in exposed places and between the coast and islands. In the channels it is dangerous for smaller boats as it can occur suddenly, almost without any sign and immediately blow with hurricane strength.

Bora causes a thin, misty layer (so-called “sea smoke”) that rises from the sea surface. Towards the open sea the speed of bora decreases and the gusts gradually lose their strength, but the waves get bigger. Cyclonic bora is accompanied by cloudy, rainy, even snowy weather, and anticyclonic bora (clear bora) occurs with a strong anticyclone. Visibility during and after the anticyclonic bora is very good, and the weather is clear and dry.

By mechanical action, drying of the soil and the formation of salt sediment, bora prevents vegetation growth in the exposed northern parts of some of the islands in the northern Adriatic.

Tramontane

It is also called the more merciful sister of bora. During the summer, it occurs as a local wind that is transient and short-lived, and it usually passes in one day, but it can create big waves, especially farther from the coast. In extreme situations, especially on the open sea, it can reach the strength of bora. This information is particularly useful for boaters because bays open to the north should be avoided for anchorage.

It can rise to the strength of 25 knots because it blows strongly and steadily. Due to a natural phenomenon that leads to an increase in temperature differences between land and sea, the wind blows through the bay.

We suggest taking the necessary precautions listed below.

Before going out to sea, make sure to be aware of weather conditions - especially cloud cover, air temperature and wind forecast. Pay special attention to possible or forecasted wind changes.
meteo.hr

Pay special attention to winds and sea currents, especially if you are moving towards the open sea. Learn about alternative places where you can go ashore in case of emergency.

Follow the rules of navigation at sea and the rules of safety of navigation in the areas where you will be traveling.

Practice kayaking techniques before setting off on your own. Practice rescue and self-rescue techniques in calm conditions, preferably with professional help.

Equip yourself with adequate equipment - life jacket, enough water, dry bag for your mobile phone and other electronic devices, sun protection etc.

Be sure to wear a life jacket. Each kayak must have a life jacket.

Inform your loved ones about your kayaking plan and announce the route you plan to navigate, where you are going, and when you plan to return. Try to follow that plan.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
+385 112 Emergency

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