would have been easier. So initially the response was to send out lookouts to prominent cliff tops to see if anything or anyone could be spotted. If they had been kept informed of the activities, they would have acted differently and very much more quickly. As a result of a series of errors and circumstances, four of the teenagers drowned. The party had run into difficulties straight away as one kayak became swamped. The group was swept out to sea, where all their kayaks were quickly swamped. Simon Dunne helped to keep the spirits of the group up by singing songs and being encouraging, while they tried to survive by huddling round the one remaining upright boat. This area of coast is known for a strong funnelling off-shore wind, particularly at the time of year of the trip. Stoddart had trained the two instructors just prior to them taking their first group of young people, this one. They had been given rudimentary instruction in an outdoor pool. The two instructors had passed their one star performance test just prior to taking on this post (one star performance shows a person who holds it has some very basic knowledge about how to turn a craft, make it go forwards and backwards and can safely exit it if it turns the wrong way up). Mirage (this old catalogue shows a mirage kayak from the era on page 17 https://www.perceptionkayaks.com/us/sites/default/files/perc%201993-94a_3.pdf also see https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/perception-mirage-kayak-286780216) boats are not suitable craft for doing this type of crossing and the members of the party were so inexperienced as to not be able to use spray decks. A spray deck is also known as a spray skirt, fitting round the paddler, rising above the waist line and fitting tightly around the opening known as a cockpit. The party were equipped with wetsuits, inflatable life vests and a helmet along with their craft, a mirage kayak and their paddle. Buoyancy aids are more appropriate for kayaking as heads can get banged on exit and cold water causes disorientation, known as cold water shock. Cold water shock will make it difficult for the boater to inflate the vest by blowing into it. Self inflating vests are now available but these also have some downsides for kayaking. More information on personal floatation devices can be found at https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2021/sup-safety-personal-floatation-device-and-buoyancy-aid-guidance. They were not wearing wet boots to protect their feet from the cold