Kayak Self Rescue: Re Enter and Roll

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Most popular comments
for Kayak Self Rescue: Re Enter and Roll

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Bluebell River - 6 years ago

Your training videos are excellent - thank you!
PS no helmet?

Minx Lush - 6 years ago

I don’t and never will even own a kayak but .... here I am watching a video on how to save myself from something I’ll never do . Only on YouTube .

eddy de wilde - 6 years ago

This is the only video (that I have seen) that clearly shows how to roll. Good work Mike

Linda Draguljic - 6 years ago

How to flip a sit on kayak

Corran Horn - 6 years ago

Does his kayak have bulkheads or is it open? Just curious because mine doesn't have bulkheads and I'm having trouble reentering. Can't take it out farther from shore until I can safely and consistently reenter.

Corran Horn - 6 years ago

Firstly, can't get anyone to go with me out to the lake. This is part of an exercise routine to get back into shape. I run for the lower body, paddle for the upper body and back. I'm paddling from one side of the lake to the other, and then using a small sailing rig to sail back. I shouldn't be beyond 200 yd from the side of the levee so I'm not too worried about safety with my PFD and the fact the boat floats even when fully submerged.

Second. I've thought about airbags and will most likely purchase them, but I don't see how much they would help when getting back into the kayak. I thought they were mainly to keep it from sinking. I'm a hefty 220lbs and don't expect to slip below 200 lbs due to my height and frame. Would have gotten a 12ft but I can't fit in in my vehicle or tow it. Will probably get a larger kayak when I get a RAV4 next year.

Third, I don't expect to kayak with a group much. This is a bi-weekly exercise for me, but I've been staying close to shore until I get more comfortable and skilled with re-entry.

I appreciate the advice.

Alex Bunn - 6 years ago

Corran Horn
Firstly if your paddling alone, don't if you have the option because it can be very dangerous
Secondly to help a boat without bulkheads I'd recommend buying some airbags
Thirdly it may be more efficient to learn how to rescuer a boat when with a group or to get a solid roll which will keep you from needing to get out of your boat anyway

Hopefully this helps

FLOW: For Lovers of Watersports - 6 years ago

great video. very clear!

Irony Itch - 7 years ago

thanks for the upload, I think i am going to try this out, although I know one roll so far and know how to self-rescue on my own. i like it how efortless this seems - always useful if you run out of ideas what to try. :)

doncarlo5 - 7 years ago

no offence to anybody .... but your roll is pathetic .... make me feel I wanna cry.... honestly

Gone Bush - 6 years ago

Wheres the link to your video showing you rolling for comparison...

JLT1003 - 8 years ago

This is a great technique. However, the video does not address how to find your blade angle once you're seated in the kayak. I notice the kayaker in this video grabs the end of the blade with his left hand (for a right side roll). However, I learned how to roll with both hands on the shaft. I can still do it that way with my paddle because I have an asymmetrical reference point for the control hand, but I can't figure out how to do it with a traditional, round-shafted paddle. Any suggestions?

Irony Itch - 7 years ago

+JLT1003 I would of course recommend using tuilik to avoid water in the cockpit. Alternatively, have a pump attached to the front deck, easily accessible and pump it out.

JLT1003 - 7 years ago

Irony, you are correct that blade angle doesn't matter much if you are using a paddle float. And using this technique with a paddle float does have a great advantage over other float-assisted rescues in that it requires much less effort than climbing up on your deck. (It does have a big downside though -- with or without the float -- which is that you come up with a cockpit full of water which makes you very unstable. Unless you can manage to get your spray deck on before you come up! I have yet to see anyone accomplish that.) For the record though, once you have a roll, you will discover that "both hands on the shaft" requires very little effort or struggle, if the roll is executed properly. Have fun!

Irony Itch - 7 years ago

If you know how to roll, fine. I do not think the blade angle matters, as there is a floating bag on the other side. Hence, this is a simple way to put yourself up or practice being under water for later roll development. Both hands on the shaft require some force, while prolonging the paddle just using it from one blade side really makes you struggle less.