Shark River is more like a tidal basin than a flowing river.

Coastal winds, pop-up storms, and even water quality can vary daily, at anytime. Sometimes one side of the river will be calm and manageable while the other side is directly exposed to coastal winds - this is called wind shadowing. We will advise you the best we can based on the conditions we see and anticipate during your time on the water.

We recommend participants wear non-cotton (quick dry) attire whenever you are boating. Typically any waters in coastal NJ will be borderline too cold for long term immersion for most of the year. Learn more about Cold Water Safety here.

Click the down arrow to expand on our explanations of each level. We refund kayak rental reservations when we must cancel for unfavorable winds or weather. Please visit our cancellation policy page for more information.

  • BLUE SKIES, CALM WINDS!!

    You know the type? The most perfect summer day. Not too hot, just a little breeze. What summer kayaking dreams are made of!

    It’s a perfect day to float around and kayak on Shark River. A day perfect for beginners and kids.

    A+ days seem fewer and far between these recent years, but when we get them they are GLORIOUS and we don’t take them for granted.

  • 7-8 MPH STEADY WIND and/or 13+ MPH GUSTS

    • Prior experience in a kayak will help to navigate more easily on the water.

    • Beginner kids may struggle with the winds and quickly become tired or discouraged. We will recommend using our tandem kayak (if available) or suggest you bring a rope (we have one you can use) so you can tow them behind you if needed!

    • Stamina and strength will be needed for continuous paddling when you are moving against the wind. This is especially true as the wind speeds increase.

    • Adult and child in tandem is ok, children age 12 and up in solo kayak is ok.

    • Guided Paddles are ok for all.

  • 9 -10 MPH STEADY WIND, 15+ MPH GUSTS

    • We send out our “Winds Warning” email communications to anyone with reservations.

    • Prior kayaking experience is strongly recommended.

    • First timers could struggle in steady 9 mph winds if they are not using proper paddling techniques.

    • Working knowledge of capsize and re-entry in a kayak in open waters is recommended. It’s not as easy as it looks!

    • The open areas in the middle of the river will be look and feel choppy. The stronger gusts will create rolling water and sometimes you will see visible “white caps”. In these conditions, surface current may cause splashing around your kayak.

    • Water chop could cause a kayak ride to feel bumpy and unstable.

    • 9+ mph steady wind conditions are not favorable for tandem kayaks piloted by inexperienced adults with young kids.

    • Typically in windy conditions you will require consistent power from both people. Tandem kayaks are 13.5’ long and you will need strength to help propel and steer the tandem kayak against the wind. We find that beginner kids often are not able to provide effective support.

    • Windy days do not provide leisurely, “float-like” adventures. It will be necessary to use your paddle most of the time and it feels more like exercise.

    • When you stop your paddling momentum, the winds will turn your boat windward and push you in the direction of the winds.

    • Guided Paddles are ok for ages 14 and up.

  • 10-11 MPH STEADY WIND, 15+ MPH GUSTS

    • We will cancel rental (self guided) reservations.

    • Instructor led Guided Paddles are considered only after a conversation with the group to determine the ability of the group as a whole. We make a decision based on our discretion and your input.

    • The water is “pushy”. It may have “white caps” and small “rollers” aka wind blown waves.

    • This is what some experienced kayak adventure seekers call “fun”.

    • For some, they may get a get sea-sick feeling.

  • When winds are 11-12+ mph steady with higher gusts all services are canceled.

    Anyone going out for a paddle in these conditions will require stamina, core strength, mobility and determination!

    Capsize and re-enter back into the kayak in open waters is a necessary skill, as well as the ability to swim to a nearby shore to re-enter.

    A kayaker must have knowledge of multiple paddle stoke techniques (forward, backward, turning, sweeping turn, etc) at minimum.

    They must understand coastal tides, currents, prevailing winds and coastal conditions.

 

Proper paddle stroke technique will provide the “power” to propel you. Your paddle stroke should come from your core using torso rotation. On windy days proper paddle stroke technique is essential.

  • We consider air and water temperature in our decisions about safe operations. The minimum air temp for our operations is 70°, wind chill is also a factor.

    • At the start of our season (mid May), the water temperature in Shark River hovers around +/- 60°. Cold water is dangerous.

    • At the end of our season (late September) the cooler mornings and early sunsets can affect our operations.

  • We only operate when conditions are what we consider to be “user friendly”. That includes winds, weather, water quality.

  • When the forecast indicates winds will be at 12+ mph with 18+ mph gusts, we cancel affected reservations in advance, sometimes even the day before.

  • We experience tidal currents AND surface currents on windy days. The combination of the two forces will create conditions that require (average) stamina and endurance.

  • Wind shadowing from land can cause one side of the bay to look innocent and easy, but once you get into the open waters or the other side of the bay, it’s blowing strong!

Winds are nothing to ignore and can be very challenging to navigate, especially for beginners.

All the above variable factors are carefully considered before we make a decision to cancel.

Believe us, we don’t want to cancel, but we choose comfort, caution, and safety first.

Thank you for understanding.

 

Winds in this video were around 11-12 mph steady, with higher gusts, and a strong wind driven surface current. Not what we’d call a “good water” day!

Windy days are common on Shark River.

We are always monitoring winds and weather and we receive ongoing notifications from paid weather apps.

Shark River is salt water and only the very back tributaries are considered brackish water.

We provide our kayak services exclusively during high tide.

This concentrated window of time is different each weekend and based on the tide charts for our location.

The tidal water is moves quick due to the underwater currents from the tidal ebb and flow.

The CURRENT, TIDE and WIND together can fatigue even the strongest person. Paddle stroke technique with some basic understanding the wind directions and water currents are essential for safe paddling adventures on windy days.

Kayakers should always be prepared to fall out and get back into the kayak. It CAN and WILL happen eventually!

CLICK HERE to see data from the Shark River Municipal Marina Weather Station

LEARN MORE

Wind and Waves Against Current

Moulton Avery

When a current moves in opposition to wind and/or waves, conditions become much rougher – often rough enough to capsize large motorboats and easily overwhelm small, human-powered craft like canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. This video examines the danger and explains where it commonly occurs so you can avoid getting caught in this kind of frequently lethal trap.