Kayakers made up 30 per cent of boating fatalities in the past five years, compared with 13 per cent nationally. 

Maritime Safety Victoria has developed a survey for all paddlers on Victorian waters over the past 12 months – including users of kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards – to better inform their safety campaigns.

Albury Border Rescue deputy captain Paul Marshall said the Victorian statistic was not surprising and safety for non-powered vessels needed to be on the radar of users across the Border and North East.

“We had a few incidental rescues over summer but no fatalities, which is a good thing,” he said.

“It’s mainly times when people got overwhelmed by the river and the current and we had a few people caught up in snags, who just could not get themselves out.

“We’ve had one or two rescues in recent times where people haven’t had a phone, but they’ve managed to raise the alarm by other people.”

Mr Marshall said it was integral people took to the water with company.

“Always go out with someone – if you tip out of your canoe and can’t recover it, someone can help,” he said.

“Learn how to canoe and tip out on flat water, because the first time you do tip out, you’ll panic.”

Maritime Safety director Peter Corcoran said lifejackets were a must.

“Lifejackets are mandatory for all paddlers, and nowadays they are affordable and comfortable,” he said.

“MSV encourages anyone taking to the water to also have a means of raising the alarm such as a personal locator beacon, so help can be called if needed.”

Mr Mashall hoped accessing potential paddlers with safety messages would be an outcome of MSV’s campaign.

“It’s growing in popularity and where it used to be you had to go to a specialist shop, now you can go to BCF, Rays Outdoors, and there they are,” he said.

“It wouldn’t hurt for the outdoor companies to have safety briefings and labels.

“The river is mighty … it has to be respected.”

The 12-minute online survey can be accessed at survey.instinctandreason.com/paddlingsurvey.