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Beaufort Scale for Sea Kayakers
The table below is taken from the UK Sea Kayak Website. The original can be found here. They also have a PDF version of this page, which you can find here.
There is also a good youtube video that covers the same topic called Sea States for Sea Kayakers. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYQvymhZ2SQ
There is also a version of this scale with extended decriptions and photos to illustrate the various conditions for kayakers at kayarchy.co.uk. Its well worth a look.
Beaufort Scale |
Windspeed
Knots |
Windspeed MPH |
Description |
Sea State
Disclaimer - this is for information only - you must make
your own informed decision as to whether it's safe to paddle or not |
Description in forecasts |
State of sea |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Calm |
Sea like a mirror - nice paddling. |
Calm |
Calm |
1 |
1-3 |
1-3 |
Light Air |
Ripples but without foam crests |
Light |
Calm |
2 |
4-6 |
4-7 |
Light Breeze |
Small wavelets. Crests do not break |
Light |
Smooth |
3 |
7-10 |
8-12 |
Gentle Breeze |
Large wavelets. Perhaps scattered white horses |
Light |
Smooth |
4 |
11-16 |
13-18 |
Moderate Breeze |
Small waves. Fairly frequent white horses. Getting
bouncy and the inexperienced should start to think about heading to shore
unless it's an onshore breeze. |
Moderate |
Slight |
5 |
17-21 |
19-24 |
Fresh Breeze |
Moderate waves, many white horses The inexperienced
will find it hard work paddling into this. |
Fresh |
Moderate |
6 |
22-27 |
25-31 |
Strong Breeze |
Large waves begin to form; white foam crests, probably
spray. Seas getting big, rescues will be difficult. Warnings issued to small
craft. |
Strong |
Rough |
7 |
28-33 |
32-38 |
Near Gale |
Sea heaps up and white foam blown in streaks along
the direction of the wind. Big seas, kayaks are difficult to turn and it
will be hard to make headway. Communication very difficult. |
Strong |
Very Rough |
8 |
34-40 |
39-46 |
Gale |
Moderately high waves, crests begin to break into
spindrift. Dangerous conditions - communication almost impossible. Each
paddler must look out for himself and rescues impractical. |
Gale |
High |
9 |
41-47 |
47-54 |
Strong Gale |
High waves. Dense foam along the direction of the
wind. Crests of waves begin to roll over. Spray may affect visibility. Try
praying. You'll need it. |
Severe gale |
Very high |
10 |
48-55 |
55-63 |
Storm |
Very high waves with long overhanging crests. The
surface of the sea takes a white appearance. Visibility affected. Which
means the lifeboat will have little chance of actually seeing you. |
Storm |
Very high |
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