: Would anybody be able to give me information on what could happen, if you are
: in a kayak on the water, and their is an electric storm approaching. Is it
: safe to stay in the water or do you get the hell out of it?

Lightning is caused when a negatively charged "stepped leader" from a cloud comes towards the ground. When it gets near a positively charged object, such as a kayaker out on the water, a streamer from that object rises to meet it. That creates a channel through which an electrical current surges, and causes a return stroke or .... lightning.

Basically it's like connecting the positive and negative terminals of a giant battery. You are the positive, and the cloud is the negative.

You should stay away from water. When you are on the water you are the highest point, and the highest positively charged object is most likely to meet that negatively charged stepped leader. You should seek shelter, preferably a concrete bridge, or a metal car. You should stay away from trees. Lightening can jump when it strikes an object and affect objects 60 feet away. If unable to get out of the water then lower your profile as much as possible. Water is a conductor, so you don't want to actually get in the water, or a strike nearby can affect you. Stay in the boat but lay low.

Also you might want to put that aluminum paddle down! Don't you think it's odd that when it rains we go out holding a metal rod with a bunch of smaller metal rods sticking out of it? It's called an "umbrella," which is derived from the latin prefix "um," which when translated means "duh," and "brella" which means "zzzzaaaappppppp."

Good luck,

Malcolm