How to Avoid Flipping Your Touring Kayak

Touring kayaks are normally used for open water kayaking such as in larger lakes and oceans. These kayaks are generally longer and more stable than river kayaks, and built for taking on pounding surf which helps in the prevention of capsizing. Though these kayaks are built to suit rough conditions, adverse weather can become fierce at times and cause a touring kayak to tip over. Learning a few stroke techniques, as well as balancing maneuvers can aid you in the event of bad weather or rough surf, and keep you from flipping over in your kayak.

Things You'll Need

  • Helmet
  • PFD
  • Touring kayak
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Instructions

    • 1

      Center your gear in the hull, or securely strap the gear to the coaming top. Consult your kayak owner's guide to learn how to properly stow gear in your particular kayak model. Gear loaded properly will help to disperse weight evenly. Incorrectly stowed gear can be the main culprit in heavy surf that causes a kayak to capsize.

    • 2

      Paddle the kayak away from high swaying surf. In the event that you need to paddle into the surf, keep the bow pointed directly at oncoming waves. Do not paddle the kayak parallel to oncoming surf; this will surely capsize your kayak.

    • 3

      Use a high stroke technique to stabilize the kayak in rough surf. The high stroke is performed by slapping the paddle face down flat, directly onto the water surface, and shifting your weight to the opposite side simultaneously. This action creates a support. If you feel that you're flipping toward the right, slap the paddle down on the right while shifting your weight to the left to aid in re-stabilizing the kayak.