Flow Kayaks launches ‘See and Be Seen Day’ to spotlight life-saving colours on the water

As autumn sweeps across Devon’s coastline, the calm yet cooler conditions make October one of the most popular times for seasoned kayakers to get out on the water. However, with daylight hours shortening and the clocks soon to go back, many paddlers are finding themselves caught out by fading light during longer sessions. This reduced visibility can quickly turn a peaceful outing into a potentially dangerous situation.

Recognising this, Nottingham-based Flow Kayaks has launched the first-ever national ‘See and Be Seen Day’, taking place on 24 October. The campaign aims to raise awareness around water safety and highlight the importance of wearing highly visible colours while kayaking, paddleboarding, or engaging in other water sports.

The importance of visibility on Devon’s waterways

From the River Dart and the Exe Estuary to the popular paddling spots around Salcombe and Croyde, Devon’s waterways attract countless enthusiasts each year. Yet, as the days grow shorter, staying visible on these busy routes becomes vital. Flow Kayaks’ new initiative hopes to remind water users that a simple choice of colour could make a life-saving difference.

To explore how well paddlers understood visibility on the water, Flow Kayaks asked over 100 customers and members of the UK public to pick the three most visible colours for kayaking from a list of options. The most popular responses were red, pink, yellow, and light green. While these choices make intuitive sense, especially bright tones like yellow and neon pink, Flow Kayaks wanted to compare public perception with scientific data.

What does the research say?

Research from Alive Solutions, a US-based water safety consultancy, revealed some surprising findings. Their studies showed that neon yellow, light green, and orange were the most visible colours in water environments. These shades stood out clearly across varying depths and lighting conditions, offering the greatest visibility to other water users and rescuers alike.

White, while initially thought to be visible, was found to blend too easily with reflections and cloud cover, making it unreliable. Neon pink, which had performed well in previous tests in controlled environments like swimming pools, did not fare as well in open water. Red, a popular choice among survey respondents, lost visibility quickly below the surface.

The results underline how quickly colour contrast can diminish underwater, sometimes within just 18 inches of depth. This highlights how important it is to choose colours that remain vibrant and contrasting even in darker, deeper, or choppier conditions.

24 October: See and Be Seen Day

Flow Kayaks chose 24 October for the launch of ‘See and Be Seen Day’ to coincide with the seasonal shift when the water remains inviting but visibility starts to fade earlier in the evening. Around this time, daylight can dip as early as 4.30 pm, especially after the clocks change, catching many paddlers unaware.

Inspired by the Alive Solutions study, Flow Kayaks has expanded its product line to include more high-visibility kayaks and apparel, with several designs now featuring reflective strips for an added layer of safety. The company hopes that these products will encourage paddlers to embrace bright colours not only for safety but also for style.

A message from Flow Kayaks’ founders

Flow Kayaks’ owners Jake and Tamsyn shared their thoughts on the campaign:

“We feel staying seen on the water is important for both personal safety and the safety of other water users. British waterways can get busy as paddlers, rowers, narrow boats and powerboats all take to the water for training, travel, and leisure. Being visible isn’t just crucial in emergencies—it helps prevent accidents and collisions, too. We hope paddlers will continue to enjoy Devon’s rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters well into autumn and winter, feeling confident that they’re safe and easy to spot.”

As Devon’s kayaking community gears up for the cooler months, Flow Kayaks’ message is clear: wear your colours proudly, stay visible, and stay safe. Whether you are exploring the calm waters of Dartmouth or tackling the surf around Woolacombe, being seen could make all the difference this season.

‘See and Be Seen Day’ takes place on 24 October. For more information and to explore Flow Kayaks’ high-visibility range, visit their website.