Sognefjord Challenge Kayak Buddy 2011

Photo: Terje Eggum

Fjord swimming = fjord + swimming + kayaking
Are you a kayaker? A fjord swimmer needs you!

For the Sognefjord Challenge a swimmer and kayak buddy race across the Sognefjord: king of the fjords. If you are a competent kayaker and would like to join in for some fjord fun and excitement, volunteer as a Sognefjord Challenge Kayak Buddy!

The Sognefjord Challenge is a 3.7 kilometre fjord crossing from Borlaug in the municipality of Vik over to Nokkaneset, Leikanger. Throughout the crossing, each swimmer is accompanied by a skilled kayaker who will navigate the fjord on behalf of the swimmer throughout the crossing.

For safety reasons, the race is limited to 30 swimmers and 30 kayakers.

If a swimmer feels tired or cold and wishes to withdraw from the race, they should tell their kayak buddy. The kayaker is then responsible for alerting the safety escort boats, who will then pick up the swimmer. A kayak buddy should alert safety personnel by signalling, for example with their paddle. They should pass a life jacket or life belt to the swimmer and keep the swimmer calm until the safety boat arrives. If necessary, the swimmer may support themselves by carefully holding onto the kayak.

Similarly if a kayak buddy observes his/her swimmer is in trouble, the kayak buddy must alert the safety escort boats. The swimmer must respect his or her kayak buddy and the safety personnel.s judgement.

During fjord crossings there will be at least one escort boat for every five swimmer-kayak buddy teams. Personnel onboard the escort boats are responsible for picking up swimmers who withdraw from the crossing. Should an emergency situation arise, safety personnel in the escort boats are responsible for administering necessary first aid and ensuring that the swimmer is safely transported to land.

All kayak buddies must be competent in self-rescue skilles and have completed a safety and rescue skills course. All kayaks should be equipped with safety equipment: extra life jacket, hand pump, paddle float and tow line.

If you would like to volunteer as a Sognefjord Challenge Kayak Buddy, send an e-mail to kayak@fjordswim.no