Outdoor Handbook｜How to get on and off the kayak

The easiest time for a kayak to fall into the water is when getting on and off the boat. It is easier after you start rowing, so this part of knowledge must be mastered

if shore departure

Lift the boat and place it in shallow water, perpendicular to the shore. When launching vertically, the bow should be facing away from the shore, and the stern should be close to the shore and fully afloat. If launching in a river or with a long boat, a parallel start may be better.

Place the oars below the deck line in front of the cockpit.

step over the cockpit and stand on the kayak

Grab

the seat and sit on it, then lift your legs and slide your feet into the cockpit

Adjust your posture to sit firmly, with your feet resting on the footrests.

Grab the paddles and start paddling.

If disembarking and disembarking at the shore

Paddle toward shore and stop when you reach water deep enough to stand on.

Place the oars below the deck line in front of the cockpit.

Grab the sides of the cockpit.

Lift your knees and bring your feet closer to your hips.

Lift one foot and step into the shallow water next to the cockpit.

Keeping your balance, stand up slowly and step out of the kayak.

if dock on board

Move the kayak to the dock and lower it into the water, parallel to the dock.

Place the paddles on the dock, where they can be reached within the cockpit.

Sit on the dock and stick one leg into the cockpit to secure it.

Prop your hands on the pier, place your hips on the seat and rotate your torso while sliding your feet into the cockpit to get seated. Or put one hand on the pier and the other in the center behind the hatch coaming.

Adjust your posture to sit firmly, resting your feet on the footrests.

Grab a paddle and go.

if dock disembark

Higher pier:

The rowboat comes to a stop when it approaches the pier so that the boat is parallel to it.

Put the paddle on the dock.

Turn your torso to face the pier and place your hands on the pier.

Tighten your knees and bring your feet closer to your hips.

Supporting yourself with your legs and arms, slowly lift your body up.

When one leg is level with the pier, kneel on the edge of the pier with one knee.

Lower your weight, twist your body and lift your other leg to sit on the dock. Be careful not to let the kayak float away from the pier.

Lower pier:

Place the throat of one blade against the back of the cockpit and the other blade against the dock.

Grasp both the blade throat and the rear edge of the cockpit simultaneously with the hand furthest from the dock.

Place your other hand on the handle of the paddle against the dock.

Using your arms for support, lift your hips off the seat and sit on the dock.

Now slide your feet out of the cockpit and onto the dock.