5 Underrated Kayak Safety Skills
The fact that kayaking is an incredibly safe and comfortable outdoor adventure attracts a lot of paddlers. But even with the most experienced paddlers, accidents may happen at any time. Factors such as strong waves, hitting seamarks, and rocks, among others, may capsize your boat.
Therefore, it is of paramount importance to learn kayak safety skills and master them before you go out on the water. They may seem irrelevant and easy to ignore until your life, and anyone else in the kayak depends on you. Things on the water may go wrong very fast, requiring you to act quickly. Thus, practicing these skills regularly will prove invaluable at such times.
Most of these skills are underestimated and not given proper attention, deliberately. In this article, we’ll look at the 5 underrated kayak safety skills.
- Re-entering into the kayak
You should learn and practice re-entering into your kayak from the water before you need to do it. Sit-inside kayaks are harder to re-enter compared to sit-on-top kayaks because they get swamped and don’t drain themselves.
Having bulkheads on your kayak is also essential. These are walls that divide your kayak into different compartments. Bulkheads provide you with dry storage for your gear as well as preventing your kayak from getting filled up with water. Sit-inside kayaks without bulkheads should be used in shallow water near the shore, where you can easily tow them in case you flip. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
If you can’t re-enter the kayak, it’s advisable to paddle near the shore so that you can swim.
- Using Four Blades
Paddling with two paddles at the same time will help you avoid tethering one paddle and pulling it behind you and fewer chances of losing the valuable gear or having to walk back all the way looking for where you tossed it on the river bank.
If the waters are rough, an extra paddle can be helpful. You will be able to maneuver your kayak well and overcome the waves. As an added advantage, if you ever lose one paddle, you’ll still be left with the other one.
- Rescue Skills
Knowing tricks and techniques that can get you out of a lousy paddling situation when you’re kayaking alone will aid in self-rescue. If you are usually paddling alone, these techniques can prove to be life-saving.
The condition of the water you usually paddle in, and the type of boat you’re using dictates the skills and the strength you will need for self-rescue. If you are with a friend, they can help you re-enter the kayak, but if you are alone and have problems hoisting yourself back on the boat, consider paddling near the shore.
Also, the water may be too cold and cause hypothermia. You can wear a dry suit to prevent you from soaking in cold water and, of course, a PFD to keep you afloat.
You never know when another paddler will depend on you to rescue them. This may mean helping them to re-enter their kayak or even towing them to the shore.
Boat-Over-Boat Rescue
Having the skills to remove water from a friend’s kayak mid-lake is invaluable. Towing a 70-gallon kayak full of water is a task you don’t want to do. Removing even three-quarters of the water is commendable as it now becomes easier to tow to the shore. A bailing bucket, in this case, is an asset.
- Proper Paddling Skills
Learning the different types of strokes and when to use them, whether in the wind or calm waters, require a lot of practice. You should know how to hold the shaft and paddle efficiently.
Types of Strokes
Forward Stroke
This is the principle stroke in paddling as it enables you to move forward. Most of your paddling will be the forward strokes, and you will need to learn how to engage your torso muscles instead of the arm muscles because they are sturdier and prevent fatigue on your arms.
During the forward stroke, almost vertical orientation and immersing the blade fully and consistently will enable you to paddle faster and track straighter. An upright posture will help you to gain more stability and efficiency.
Reverse Stroke
It is useful when you need to move your kayak backward or to brake a moving kayak. It’s the opposite of a forward stroke.
You immerse the blade fully in the water on the side of the boat near your hip then rotate your torso as the blade moves in front of you until it’s even with your feet then ‘slice’ out the blade and repeat on the other side of the boat.
Sweep Stroke
Doing the forward stroke repeatedly on the same side of the boat makes it turn. A sweep stroke is a more natural way to turn the boat.
Immerse the blade on the opposite side of the boat from where you want to turn, then extend your arm near your feet and engage your torso to make an arc-like sweep towards the rear of your kayak. To optimize the stroke, put more power as your body rotates, especially after the stroke passes the cockpit. The boat will turn and possibly lose some momentum. You can then continue with the sweep stroke if need or paddle forward.
Draw Stroke
This stroke comes in handy whenever you need to move sideways, maybe to the dock, or to go close to another kayak.
To achieve a draw stroke, your paddle blade should be horizontal with the tip touching water about two feet from the side of the boat. You can then pull the blade towards the boat, with the tip still immersed in the water. Ensure the tip doesn’t touch the boat, but in case it does, retry the stroke instead of prying to prevent tipping and capsizing.
- Paddling in Your Skill Level
Water conditions differ in different locations. The ideal kayaking conditions are calm waters without winds and waves, nearby places where you can quickly launch and land and, of course, less motorized boat traffic.
If you’re considering kayaking in rough waters, then you will need to take a sea kayaking course that teaches you specific water rescue skills. Your safety and that of the people you are paddling with should not be compromised. Some general tips to ensure you paddle safely are:
- If it’s dark, remember to wear a headlamp
- Avoid ship routes when kayaking
- Carry a map that shows the seamarks and rocks
- Always pack extra energy and freshwater
- Have a mobile phone in dry storage in case you need to call for help
- Avoid paddling alone
Kayak Safety Equipment and Gear
As much as safety skills are required, safety gear is equally important when you’re out paddling. Some of these equipment are relatively small and their importance underrated, but they can save your life.
Basic Safety Gear
PFDs
Life vests will help you float and keep your head above water in case you capsize. Ensure you wear yours before you start paddling. Putting it on after capsizing can be next to impossible, especially if the waters are rough.
First-Aid Kit
Carrying a first-aid kit will help you respond faster to medical emergencies. A basic one should include bandages, disinfectant, gauze, rubber gloves, safety pins, and tweezers. Ensure you store the kit in dry storage where you can easily access it.
Spray Skirts
These waterproof barriers cover and keep rain and splash water from entering your kayak. You will need them in rough seas and rainy days. They are hooked on the edges of the kayak and are removable. You may not need them when the waters are calm, but in wet and rough conditions, spray skirts should be part of your essential safety equipment.
Rescue Gear
Bilge Pump
As a better alternative to bailing buckets, bilge pumps help you to empty the water collected in your kayak. For a calm waters paddler, you can use a bailer such as a milk jug, but for sea kayaking, a bilge pump is the standard gear.
The hand pump is inexpensive and removes water with little effort. Other types such as the foot-operated and electric are also available but a little expensive.
Tow Lines
Whenever a paddler is injured or tired, a tow line can be attached to his kayak, and the other end to another boat, and they are towed to the shore.
Throw Bags
These are usually helpful in moving water but can also be used in calm waters. If a paddler capsizes, other kayakers in another boat or on the show throw him the bags where he clings on and is pulled to safety.
Other safety equipment to carry with you include Helmet, GPS or compass, a whistle, paddle floats, paddle leashes, knives, among others.
Conclusion
Accidents are bound to happen on the water, but your safety depends almost entirely on how prepared you are. Take your time to learn basic kayak safety skills or sea kayaking skills for whitewater kayakers. Rescuing another paddler is also admirable, but sometimes self-rescue is the only option you have.
Remember always to pack the necessary safety gear and enjoy your kayaking adventure without worrying.