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Seatrekking

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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]

Ethics

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Waterproof inflatable bag
Waterproof inflatable bag attached to seatrekker using a leash

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]

Hazards

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See also: Cliff jumping § Dangers

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] Jumping from a height of 20 feet (6.1 m) results in a person hitting the water at 25 mph (40 km/h).[14] Impacting with the water surface at this velocity is capable of giving a person temporary paralysis of the diaphragm,[15] a compressed spine, broken bones, or concussion.[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.[16]

When diving and flipping into water along the intertidal zone there is an increased risk of receiving an injury including a spinal injury[12]

List of hazards

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  • Being swept away by strong currents[13]
  • Cold Water Shock[12][17]
  • Clothing or feet being caught in rocks or objects underneath the water surface
  • Drowning[12]
  • Hypothermia
  • Impact with rocks
  • Impact with water surface[14]
  • Submerged objects "...like rocks, fishing gear, mooring lines and other under water hazards [that] may not be visible"[18][12]
Height falling from Velocity reached at water surface
5 feet (1.5 metres) 12 mph (19 kmh)[15]
10 feet (3 metres) 17 mph (27 kmh)[14]
20 feet (6 metres) 25 mph (40 kmh)[14]
50 feet (15 metres) 38 mph (61 kmh)[14]
85 feet (26 metres) 53 to 62 mph (85 to 100 kmh)[14]

Safety

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See also: Coasteering § Safety

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.

Equipment

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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.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Parshley, Lois. A new way to explore Croatia`s Coast by Land and Sea. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. 05 August 2016. [1]
  2. ^ Weiss, C.C. (2012-12-13). "Innovative waterproof backpacks power the new sport of seatrekking". newatlas.com.
  3. ^ a b Schophoff, Julius (2013). "Wasser, marsch!". Die Zeit Archiv (in German). 30.
  4. ^ a b Rossmann, Julia; Jost, Malte. "Zehn Outdoorerlebnisse von wild bis waghalsig". GEO.de / Europa für Abenteurer.
  5. ^ Bielefeld, Marc (May 2017). "Wanderer zwischen den Welten". GEO WALDEN No.2.
  6. ^ Neumann-Delbarre, Alexander (August 2014). "Wir Meeresnomaden". PLAYBOY REISEREPORTAGE.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ DeBoer, Timo (2016). "Trekking ter land en ter zee". HIKE & TREKKING. No.1.
  8. ^ "Seatrekking". DIVEMASTER. 2016-07-05. Archived from the original on 2017-01-22.
  9. ^ Unknown[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ Hoch, Martin. "Trekking the Ocean, Seatrekking - noch nie gehört - Travel Blog, 02". Globsession. Archived from the original on 2016-04-18.
  11. ^ Blinda, Antje (2013-05-02). "Tauchsport Seatrekking, Meereswanderer mit Nabelschnur" (in German). Der Spiegel.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Safety Advice for Coasteering Providers" (PDF). National Coasteering Charter (third ed.). November 2015. pp. 6, 12, 17–18, 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Coasteering and Tombstoning". NWSF. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Kolich, Heather (5 October 2009). "How Cliff Diving Works". mapquest. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  15. ^ a b "CLIFFS PLUS DIVING = DANGER: WATER, GRAVITY CAN TURN THRILLER INTO A KILLER". Deseret News. 8 June 1989. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Man dies after 'tombstoning' off Plymouth Hoe cliff". BBC. 14 October 2016. Archived from the original on 14 October 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Cold water shock". RNLI. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  18. ^ Beresford, Alan (2 July 2020). "Tombstoning warning after Findochty Harbour incident". Grampian online. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  19. ^ Blechschmidt, Silja (February 2017). "Europas grosse Tauchzeitschrift. Die Wassernomaden".[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ Nowak, Niklas (2017-07-19). "Seatrekking: Wandern für Wasserliebhaber". www.trainingsworld.com.
  21. ^ Bowman, Jeffrey (March 2014). "The Outsiders, New Outdoor Creativity". Gestalten.
  22. ^ Kunst, Britta (4 July 2017). "Neue Sportart: Sea-trekking.DAS!".[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ Sanktjohanser, Florian (2015-08-20). "Die Wasserwanderer". Süddeutsche Zeitung - Reise. p. 23.
  24. ^ "Trekking the Seas". RNZ RADIO NEW ZEALAND. 2017-03-18.
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