How to Turn Over Your Canoe

When a canoe flips and dumps you into the drink, you need to turn the canoe back over before you can get back in. Ideally, when turning the canoe over you must do it in a way that prevents a lot of water from pooling in the bottom. The less water that ends up in the boat, the more stable the boat feels when you reenter and the less you need to bail out. Next time you capsize, try the Capistrano Flip to turn over your canoe.

Instructions

    • 1

      Swim with your partner until you both emerge into the air pocket under the capsized canoe.

    • 2

      Place your paddles under the thwarts in the canoe to free your hands.

    • 3

      Grab a gunwale, the rail running the length of the canoe, with each hand near your seat. Instruct your partner to do the same.

    • 4

      Tread water enough to lift one edge of the canoe out of the water. This breaks the air seal and makes the next part of the rescue easier.

    • 5

      Count to three, give a big kick and fling the freed gunwale into the air. The canoe will pivot around the other gunwale and land on its bottom relatively free of water.