Seafaring is more enjoyable with knowledge. Following these guidelines does not guarantee your safety on the ocean, but will help.

1. Evaluate the weather: Check weather forecasts, on the Internet (http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/current/OMDB.html and http://www.dubaicoast.org) and newspaper, look and understand clouds curling, wind strengths and direction.

Fast moving or developing clouds usually indicate dangerous weather approaching. Beware of mist. If you have no worthwhile opinion of future weather, rather don’t paddle!

2. Always paddle with at least one other person. There is safety in numbers.

3. Avoid the areas of rogue (unannounced) breaking waves. Talk to the locals about sea conditions in the area and dangerous spots.

4. If conditions are challenging, don’t bow to (or apply) pressure to go out. Never exceed your level of competence.

5. Always tell someone that you are going paddling. (Make sure that they know to call the Coast Guard if they suspect that there is a problem). Give full details:

• Where you’re paddling (start and finish);
• Estimated launch time and expected return time;
• Boat identification details (size, colour, boat make);
• Your identification details (e.g. clothing type and colour); and
• Your skill level.

6. Remember contact your ‘shore buddy’ on your return. Time is critical: quick action from you or your ‘shore buddy’ will bring about a quick response. Always do ‘the right thing’ on the water to avoid unnecessary searches.

7. Attach a quickly detachable leash between your paddle and the foot strap of your ski.This will help you to keep your boat that may save your life.

8. Ensure that your surf ski, paddle, rudder etc are in a good working condition.

9. Wear clothing appropriate to the conditions, as hypothermia sets in quickly, e.g. thermal top, neoprene shorts and booties. Wear bright colours so that you can be spotted easily in the event of a rescue. Apply sunscreen before starting out (SPF 15 or above), and also wear a hat.

10. Never leave shore without wearing a life jacket. Your life jacket should have pockets to hold safety equipment such as a whistle, flares (read operating instructions before you start paddling), glow stick, a signaling device (e.g. mirror) and a compass, Cell Phone.

11. Drink plenty of liquids before and during a paddle, especially on longer distances.

12. Take care exiting and entering the shore. Wait for a break in the wave sets before making your move. Watch out for others in the surf.

13. Exit and enter harbours on the right hand-side. Make sure other craft are aware of your intended path. If on a head -on course, both craft should generally move to the right. Over accentuate your intended change of path as an indication to the approaching craft. Keep out of high speed ferry routes. Remember many craft will not see you.

14. If you fall out your craft in windy conditions, the wind will push your ski broadside to the wind. Do not attempt to fight this. The wind will always win. When you attempt to get back on the boat, do so from the upwind side of your ski. If you attempt to get back onto the ski from the downwind side you will be unstable. IE In windy conditions get back on the ski from the upwind side of your ski.

15. If you find that you are unstable and keep falling off your boat. RELAX. Throw your torso over the ski. When you are comfortable, straddle the ski still lying down and then sit upright still with your legs on either side of the ski. Start paddling with your legs still out the ski. When you feel more stable put your legs into the foot wells. If you are paddling with a mate, get him/her to come next your boat and steady it.

16. A Helicopter rescue. Take note that the down draft will knock you off your boat.

17. When rescued, you must listen to all instructions and obey the instructor.

18. THE GOLDEN RULE: NEVER LEAVE YOUR CRAFT. It is your most reliable form of buoyancy and will indicate where you are to rescue craft.

Race Safety

1. Flares are required at every race.
2. Paddlers participating in their first season of surf ski paddling will be required to wear a life jacket and attach his paddle to his Ski with a leash.
3. Paddlers who are graded as D or E-Grade will be required to wear life Jacket and attach his Paddle to his ski, until such time as they achieve an upgrade to C-Grade.
4. All paddlers participating in the short course will be required to wear a life jacket and attach his paddle to his Ski with a leash.
5. If a paddler does not offer assistance to another paddler in distress, they will be disqualified from that race.
6. Any paddler who fails to give his number to the time keeper, at the end of any race, will be fined Dhs100.