How to Climb Back Into a Kayak in Deep Water

After you capsize and wet-exit your kayak in deep water, you must figure out how to climb back in. When alone, getting back in becomes more difficult---this is when the paddle-float rescue works best. Fortunately, you can learn the paddle-float rescue quickly and it only requires one additional piece of kayaking equipment.

Things You'll Need

  • Kayak
  • Paddle
  • Paddle float
  • Pump
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare for the rescue by hooking your leg into the kayak---this prevents the kayak from blowing away. Leave the kayak upside down, because the weight of the water in the cockpit helps anchor the kayak to the capsize area. Don't let go of your paddle.

    • 2

      Retrieve your paddle float from wherever you store it. Many paddlers like to carry it tucked under the bungee cords on the kayak's front deck. Always store the float in the same place, so when you need it, you know exactly where to find it.

    • 3

      Slide the paddle float over one of your paddle's blades. Lock it in place with the drawstring or webbing and side-buckle. The method to lock the paddle float in place varies with the style of float.

    • 4

      Inflate the paddle float by blowing into the paddle float's tube.

    • 5

      Swim to the side of the kayak behind the cockpit. The rest of the instructions assume you are on the port (left) side of the kayak.

    • 6

      Place your paddle across the rear of the cockpit. The paddle float extends perpendicularly away from the boat. This will act as an outrigger, so get it as far away from the boat as possible.

    • 7

      Grab the paddle and the cockpit with your right hand. With your left hand grab the middle of the paddle shaft.

    • 8

      Swim up onto the rear deck of your kayak. Hook your left foot around the paddle shaft near the paddle float to give you enough leverage to do this. Stay as low as possible with your chest touching the rear deck of the boat.

    • 9

      Hook your right foot onto the paddle shaft further out than your left leg.

    • 10

      Pivot your body toward the bow of the kayak so that you can get your left leg into the cockpit of the kayak.

    • 11

      Switch the positions of your hands while keeping your right leg hooked to the end of the paddle shaft. Move your left hand to grab the cockpit coaming and the paddle shaft. Your right hand grabs the middle of the paddle shaft.

    • 12

      Keep your weight on your right hand and swing your right foot into the cockpit.

    • 13

      Slide into the cockpit, chest down, until your butt is over the kayak's seat.

    • 14

      Spin upright by turning towards your paddle float.

    • 15

      Pump out your kayak.