A CONCERNED kayaker has called for new river users to take safety precautions before there is a tragedy.

Sally Anderson-Wai and her family regularly paddle on the River Colne near their home in Wivenhoe.

Since the coronavirus lockdown, she has noticed more and more people enjoying the water but is worried some are putting themselves at risk.

Mrs Anderson-Wai, 58, said: "The number of people with kayaks and paddle boards on the river has dramatically increased, as people want to enjoy their exercise time and realise they may not have chance to go on holiday abroad this year.

"The other day there must have been 30 to 40 kayakers and paddle boards on the river.

"It was lovely to see people enjoying themselves and made Wivenhoe look like a holiday resort.

"My concern is that these new river enthusiasts should be encouraged to wear life jackets and buoyancy aids, as currently many of them are not bothering to wear them.

"At one point last weekend, two groups of jet skiers came up the river from Brightlingsea and although they generally observed the river speed most of the time, once past the barrage and heading downstream, one group suddenly increased their speed to full throttle, creating large bow waves which could’ve knocked beginners off their paddle boards or caused problems for kayakers.

"I am an experienced kayaker and it caused me to have to act quickly to steady my kayak.

"There are no lifeguards and people ought to take being on the estuary seriously, as there are larger boats and fishing boats about and the tide is very strong when the water is going out.

"We would hate to see anyone get into difficulties or an accident to happen.

"We get seals and occasionally otters and lots of wading birds on the banks too, so we don’t want them harmed either."

Mrs Anderson-Wai, who runs her own copywriting business, called for people to undertake the new river users course which is run by Robin Cole at the Nottage Maritime Institute in Wivenhoe.

He said: "There is no law that says you have to wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid when you go afloat – but you would be daft not to.

"You wouldn’t drive off in a car without fastening your seat-belt and wearing a life-jacket is similar.

"People may think that they don’t need a lifejacket because they can swim.

"Well, the ability to swim will certainly help if you were to fall in the water, but people don’t realise that it is not the ability to swim that is the primary cause of drowning.

"Even during the summer months, seawater temperature rarely climbs above 18 degrees.

"If the body is immersed in water of this temperature for several hours, the cold starts to numb the body’s muscles and limbs start seize up.

"If your limbs wont work, then it will be difficult to keep your body on the surface of the water and drowning takes place."

For more information on the courses go to nottage.org.uk.