As autumn settles over Warrington, the town’s waterways remain a hub of activity. From kayakers and paddleboarders on the River Mersey to those exploring the Bridgewater Canal and nearby stretches of the Manchester Ship Canal, locals are making the most of the mild weather before winter arrives.
But with the clocks about to go back and daylight hours shrinking, visibility on the water is becoming more important than ever.
That’s why Flow Kayaks has launched the first national ‘See and Be Seen Day’, which takes place on October 24. The campaign aims to raise awareness about staying visible while kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoeing, encouraging everyone to take extra care as evenings grow darker.
Staying safe on Warrington’s rivers and canals
The River Mersey, Bridgewater Canal, and stretches of the Manchester Ship Canal are popular with Warrington’s paddling community. However, as daylight fades earlier each evening, it’s easy to underestimate how quickly visibility can drop, particularly in shaded or built-up sections of the waterways.
Flow Kayaks’ campaign highlights a simple but crucial reminder: being visible could save your life. To explore how people perceive colour visibility, the team surveyed more than 100 respondents from across the UK, asking them to identify the most visible colours for kayaking or paddleboarding. The favourites were red, pink, yellow, and light green, but scientific testing tells a different story.
The science behind visibility on water
Research from Alive Solutions, a US-based water safety consultancy, found that neon yellow, light green, and orange are the most visible colours for water-based activities. These colours stand out clearly in both shallow and deep water, helping rescuers or other paddlers spot individuals quickly in case of an emergency.
Red and pink, two of the most popular survey picks, didn’t perform as well in real-world testing. Red tones lose contrast underwater, while pink fades faster in low light. Even white, often seen as a bright option, can blend in with reflections and clouds, making it less effective.
The findings underline one key point: the right bright, high-contrast colours are vital for staying safe on the water.
See and Be Seen Day – October 24
Flow Kayaks chose October 24 for the inaugural See and Be Seen Day to coincide with the clocks going back, a time when evening paddles can turn dark much quicker than expected. Around this point in the season, sunset in Warrington can fall before 5 pm, catching even experienced paddlers off guard.
To support the campaign, Flow Kayaks has expanded its product range to include high-visibility kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids, and clothing, many featuring reflective details for added safety. The company hopes this will inspire paddlers to make visibility a top priority as the darker months begin.
A message from the founders
Flow Kayaks’ owners Jake and Tamsyn said:
“We believe staying visible on the water is essential for both personal safety and the safety of others. Warrington’s rivers and canals are increasingly popular with paddlers, especially in the evenings and at weekends. Wearing bright, reflective gear not only helps prevent accidents but also gives people the confidence to enjoy the water all year round.”
‘See and Be Seen Day’ takes place on October 24. For more information and to explore Flow Kayaks’ high-visibility range, visit their website.
