Seatrekking is a sport that consists in exploring the shorelines of oceans, seas, bays, lakes or rivers both above and below the water over the course of several days, without the aid of a boat or a watercraft. Seatrekking involves swimming, snorkeling, freediving and hiking, and combines all these disciplines into a distinctive form of sport and outdoor experience. [1] [2] [3] Unlike coasteering, seatrekking includes overnight camping and involves trips of longer distances. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
Seatrekking adheres to the Leave No Trace principles. [9] Additionally the sport is specifically committed to the conservation of natural environments along the coastline by travelling in small groups [4] to minimize the impact on the environment and the disturbance on wildlife, and by complying with any local regulations and obtaining any necessary authorizations. [10]
Seatrekking can be dangerous, [11] and is a physically demanding activity due to its engagement with the sea and open bodies of water. [12]
Seatrekking "...often involves a series of jumps into deep water.". [13] When a person jumps from height and impacts with a water surface there is a greater risk of injury or death. [14] In the United Kingdom between 2005 and 2015 there were 83 people injured and 20 people who died whilst jumping from height into water. [15]
When diving and flipping into water along the intertidal zone there is an increased risk of receiving an injury including a spinal injury [12]
Height falling from | Velocity reached at water surface |
---|---|
5 feet (1.5 metres) | 12 mph (19 kmh) [17] |
10 feet (3 metres) | 17 mph (27 kmh) [18] |
20 feet (6 metres) | 25 mph (40 kmh) [14] |
50 feet (15 metres) | 38 mph (61 kmh) [18] |
85 feet (26 metres) | 53 to 62 mph (85 to 100 kmh) [18] |
A good physical condition, swimming proficiency, knowledge of outdoor safety, self-rescue and usage of adequate equipment are important to practicing seatrekking safely. [19] Recommended safety equipment may include a wetsuit, personal locator beacon, hand-held VHF radio and/or mobile telephone, dive flag, throw line and a whistle. [12] Weather and ocean patterns and forecast require particular attention. It is crucial for personal safety to keep up-to-date with local conditions regarding tide, swell, wind, ocean currents, rip currents as well as the weather.
Seatrekking requires the use of a waterproof bag; [20] [21] this contains all equipment and food, and is dragged in the water using a rope or leash. [3] Hydrodynamic properties of the bag are essential to reduce drag. It also acts as a supplementary safety flotation device in the water, especially when the bag can be inflated and maintain internal pressure. On land, the bag is carried as a normal backpack along hiking sections.
At sea, other equipment consists of common items used for swimming, snorkeling or freediving, such as mask and snorkel, fins, and optionally a wetsuit depending on water temperature. [22] On land, essentials are hiking clothes and shoes, as well as bivouacking equipment. [23] [24] Additional equipment is selected for its lightness, fast drying time and suitability for prolonged use in a marine environment.
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Seatrekking is a sport that consists in exploring the shorelines of oceans, seas, bays, lakes or rivers both above and below the water over the course of several days, without the aid of a boat or a watercraft. Seatrekking involves swimming, snorkeling, freediving and hiking, and combines all these disciplines into a distinctive form of sport and outdoor experience. [1] [2] [3] Unlike coasteering, seatrekking includes overnight camping and involves trips of longer distances. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
Seatrekking adheres to the Leave No Trace principles. [9] Additionally the sport is specifically committed to the conservation of natural environments along the coastline by travelling in small groups [4] to minimize the impact on the environment and the disturbance on wildlife, and by complying with any local regulations and obtaining any necessary authorizations. [10]
Seatrekking can be dangerous, [11] and is a physically demanding activity due to its engagement with the sea and open bodies of water. [12]
Seatrekking "...often involves a series of jumps into deep water.". [13] When a person jumps from height and impacts with a water surface there is a greater risk of injury or death. [14] In the United Kingdom between 2005 and 2015 there were 83 people injured and 20 people who died whilst jumping from height into water. [15]
When diving and flipping into water along the intertidal zone there is an increased risk of receiving an injury including a spinal injury [12]
Height falling from | Velocity reached at water surface |
---|---|
5 feet (1.5 metres) | 12 mph (19 kmh) [17] |
10 feet (3 metres) | 17 mph (27 kmh) [18] |
20 feet (6 metres) | 25 mph (40 kmh) [14] |
50 feet (15 metres) | 38 mph (61 kmh) [18] |
85 feet (26 metres) | 53 to 62 mph (85 to 100 kmh) [18] |
A good physical condition, swimming proficiency, knowledge of outdoor safety, self-rescue and usage of adequate equipment are important to practicing seatrekking safely. [19] Recommended safety equipment may include a wetsuit, personal locator beacon, hand-held VHF radio and/or mobile telephone, dive flag, throw line and a whistle. [12] Weather and ocean patterns and forecast require particular attention. It is crucial for personal safety to keep up-to-date with local conditions regarding tide, swell, wind, ocean currents, rip currents as well as the weather.
Seatrekking requires the use of a waterproof bag; [20] [21] this contains all equipment and food, and is dragged in the water using a rope or leash. [3] Hydrodynamic properties of the bag are essential to reduce drag. It also acts as a supplementary safety flotation device in the water, especially when the bag can be inflated and maintain internal pressure. On land, the bag is carried as a normal backpack along hiking sections.
At sea, other equipment consists of common items used for swimming, snorkeling or freediving, such as mask and snorkel, fins, and optionally a wetsuit depending on water temperature. [22] On land, essentials are hiking clothes and shoes, as well as bivouacking equipment. [23] [24] Additional equipment is selected for its lightness, fast drying time and suitability for prolonged use in a marine environment.
{{
cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires |magazine=
(
help)
{{
cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires |magazine=
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help)