Australian sea kayakers Tess Dodd and Damiano “Gnarlydog” Visocnik recently completed a long paddle in their native Australia. They passed through a series of beautiful caves, which seemed alluring but possibly dangerous to Tess. She asked me a few questions about technique and safety when paddling in a sea cave. Today, I’ll answer her first three questions, and address her other questions in next week’s blog.
Tess: “Eric, what are the common dangers when sea cave kayaking?”
Several dangers exist in sea caves. The worst and most common is the infamous Wave in a Cave. If a wave hits you, you can capsize and possibly strike your head on an underwater obstacle such as a stalagmite. Or, you could be smashed into a wall, or wedged into a narrow part of the cave, or crash into one of your mates.
Even if the water merely surges in, the current can drag you to the back of the cave where the balrogs reside. (Read FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING by J.R.R. Tolkien to learn about balrogs. You will know them because of their terrible roar). Sometimes, the current sneaks in slowly and can lift your boat to the ceiling, where your head can bonk into a stalagtite.
Tess: “How does one judge when it’s safe to enter a sea cave? And, how deep is it safe to go in a cave that gets progressively smaller?”
From a safe vantage point outside the cave, watch what happens when waves enter. Scout for about 15 minutes, which is about how long it takes for a big set to come through. If it looks good (that is, safe enough and within your skill set), then go in as far as you could see into the cave that looked doable.
Then, from inside the cave, scout again for a few minutes to see what the next section of the cave looks like. Really powerful headlamps clamped to your helmets (you must wear a helmet to protect your head from the floor, walls, and ceiling!) will help you see in the dark. If you can’t see at least 10 meters, then your lamps are not powerful enough. Also, whether you use lamps or not, be sure to attach glow sticks to your helmets so your partners can see you. Continue the process of scouting then moving farther in, and so on, until you either reach the end or don’t feel like continuing.
You asked how deep into a cave should you go if it is getting progressively smaller? The answer is, “It depends.” Theoretically, you can keep going until your boat starts to wedge. Practically, it’s not a good idea to continue into a cave that gets progressively smaller, because you can’t maneuver and you and your mates are stacked up on one another, which could result in unavoidable collision when water surges through. Now, if you can see the back exit out of a tube (there will be lots of light!), it may be okay to paddle through a narrow stretch if it widens up or provides an easy escape. Err on the side of caution, if unsure whether to proceed.
Tess: “When contemplating venturing into a sea cave, are there indicators that would alert you to potential trouble?”
Well, when you are scouting outside the cave, look for waves of course, and see what happens just before a wave enters the cave. If you observe a bunch of exposed rocks sticking up, that is a danger sign. Also listen for odd sounds. If you hear the balrog roar of waves crashing in the back of the cave, that is a warning.
I look forward to comments and more questions from my readers! Next week I’ll answer the remainder of Tess’ questions, including what to do when you mess up inside a sea cave. Stay tuned.
Eric, I’m a neophyte sea kayaker, but this advice feels spot on.
I do have vivid memories of kayaking in a cave with you along the Napali coast of Kauai in 1996. We went under a waterfall on the way in.
I remember that cave on the Napali coast. It had a bunch of sooty terns flying around. Now that is a relatively safe cave, as it is really cavernous, and is protected from major wave action much of the time.
Eric, you say to wait 15 minutes to check the wave sets… oops: I didn’t not.
Admittedly the sea was rather calm but as I was inside the cave a bit bigger waves came and did push me into the narrow end smacking my kayak into the rock (nothing as big as you guys, though :-).
That cave was connected to another one via a very narrow passage and you could hear the big roar of the “balrog”.
Also, no helmet…
Will try to do better next time.
Thank you for your good advice.
Damiano (you Gnarlydog):
Sometimes you don’t have to wait 15 minutes outside a cave; I was being safe. Sometimes the sea is flat as a board, and sometimes you know the cave so well you can instantly tell the safety level. But anytime there is any swell action and you don’t know the cave, take time to check it out. In New Zealand, Lawrence Geoghegan, Jim Kakuk and I spotted a cavern worth exploring. I scouted it as we approached, and saw it had breaking waves on rocks in the back. We went in, but didn’t go all the way to the back. Thus, we had no big story to relate. We’re getting smarter!
Helmets, yes.
Sea caves are fantastic, a totally different world that can really get the hair on the back of your neck standing up with the lack of light and amplified sounds and water movements, definitely worth people working on staying safe and exploring them. Plenty of times I go in expecting to get to the back only to think “m-m-m-monster…” when the Balgor roars and retreat to the bright light kicking myself, this has not been helped by the kayak being mounted by a seal in a dark cave recently, fastest backwards cave exit ever 😉
One lesson I’ve been taught was not to let my guard down too early. After nervously entering a cave guarded by some rocks and exploring its relatively peaceful insides I exited calm and not even thinking about possible dangers I’d considered on the outside before going in and oblivious to the big set coming in over the rocks at the entrance I was now in the middle of. Shouldn’t have let my guard down just because it was bright again, a minor seat of the pants moment 🙂
Thanks for the article and look forward to reading the rest.
John,
I’m interested in this seal story of yours. It must have thought your boat was really sexy!
e
A seal had been following me within a couple of feet for ten or so minutes much to the amusement of the rest of the group commenting that seals like yellow kayaks. I got to the cave entrance first which had a waterfall over it so as the others approached to sit under the water I went on in as was it flat calm and a big cave so wasn’t worried and knew they would all follow shortly. There were some snorting like noise which I put down to a seal or two but hey its just a seal, they are shy things and the caves wide so no worries and press on in to the gloom. Next thing my bow dives and the kayak is pushed side on up-against the wall and I realise what has just tried to get on top of the kayak. I have a panicked brace with head touching the water, in the dark, knowing there is a large seal keen on me or my boat swimming about so I am -really- not wanting to capsize there, thankfully it slipped off on the sideways movement and tilt so the brace got me back up and I exited the cave very quickly 🙂
Not sure if it was a seal in the cave upset at me being there or more worryingly that the one that had been following me just took its chance in the dark when noone else was around!!
nice article, keep the posts coming
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