Wet Exits

Mastery of the Wet Exit technique is essential before using a spray skirt in flat or moving water.  Being upside down in a kayak can be frightening to some.  When frightened, we tense our muscles.  Unfortunately, this tends to hold us in our boats.  When you learn how to roll, you will press your knees against the deck of your boat.  If you don't and simply relax, gravity will make you fall out of your boat.  In a wet exit, we want to get out quickly.  First off, lean forward and kiss the deck.  This protects your face and body.  Any rocks you hit will glance off your helmet and the back of your PFD.  Now slide your free hand along the cockpit rim to the front while holding the paddle with your other hand.  Once you find the release strap, pull it to disengage the spray skirt.  The next step is pushing off the foot bulkhead with your feet and legs while pressing down against the sides of the cockpit rim with both hands.  This will pop out your butt.  Now do a quick underwater somersault to free the legs.  Move to the upstream end of the boat and grab the grab loop with one hand holding both the boat and paddle.  This leaves the other hand free to swim to shore.  Here is a video demonstration: Wet Exit Demonstration.

For extra credit, try moving your hands perpendicularly against the side of the boat for 30 seconds before executing the wet exit.  Who knows, you might get lucky and someone can assist you in getting upright via a bow rescue or hands of god manuever (flip the boat upright with you still in it).

During our class, we will make you demonstrate this skill several times so we have confidence in your ability to do this quite easily.  Only after you have mastered this skill is it OK to wear the spray skirt.

Basic Terminology

Just like any sport, paddling has its own unique lingo.  When I started boating, we used to rave about our monster enders.  When plastic boats replaced our prized fiberglass boats, we mocked them as Tupperware Boaters.  Years later, squirt boating and striding came to our sport.  These days, play boating (which has its own lingo) is the latest rage.  Since paddling terminology changes frequently, I decided to provide a few links that may help you with the latest "Paddling Lingo".

Posture, rocking and balance

Proper posture is necessary to balance and executing good solid paddling strokes.  If you have been paddling awhile, you will see/hear many boaters that say they flipped because they caught an edge.  This is usually caused by paddling in the barco-lounger position (leaning back when they see something disconcerning like a hole).  This dips the back portion of the boat underwater where the water currents can control the boat.  You will also hear some boaters brag about a very aggressive leaning forward paddling position.  If you lean too far forward, your body movements are severely restricted - especially torso rotation.  Sit up straight and learn to use your hips as shock absorbers and maintain that upright posture.  Here is a nice short video on Paddling Posture.   Here is another nice article: Body Language.

When I place beginner paddlers in the water for the first time, I talk to them and rock their boats from side to side to see if theyy are comfortable.  I then have them rock their boats using their hips on their own so they can get a feel for the boat stability and how to balance the boat keeping their torso upright.  This process slowly builds confidence in how to balance themselves in the boat.

Extra Stuff

Extra paddle, bilge pump, sling, dry bags, maps, water, food, sponge, hat, eyeglass strap, whistle, foot protections, bug spray, sunscreen, first aid kit and location of equipment.

This is a grab bag list of other niceties, some important - some less so.  Let's look at each one individually:

  • Extra Paddle - On creeking trips, I highly recomnmend a breakdown paddle.  The four part variety can fit in any kayak - even play boats. 
  • Bilge Pump - If you are paddling in a coastal environment and have fore and aft flotation, a bildge pump is a very wise precaution
  • Sling - These days. I prefer a rescue vest along with a guide belt. 
  • Dry Bags - Come in very handy for carrying lunch and other insundries.
  • Maps - May be quite vital on long coastal trips.
  • Water - Always essential.
  • Food - Always essential as well.  On day trips, I go the Clif Bar route.
  • Sponge - Nice to have but not really essential, especially on river trips.
  • Hat - My helmet suffices as a substitute.
  • Eyeglass Strap - I prefer contact lenses.  If you wear glasses, use Croakies.
  • Whistle - A very essential safety item.
  • Foot Protections - Wear proper footwear, don't paddle barefoot.
  • Bug Spray - Comes in handy on extended trips up North or in some coastal environments.
  • Sunscreen - Quite valuable year round.
  • First Aid Kit - Vital piece of group safety gear.

Packing a kayak takes some thought.  Make certain you secure your gear, prepare for a swim.  Don't use excess cord though as that may snag a limb should you come out of your boat.  I also inflate my floatation to help ensure the load doesn't shift.  Regarding dry bags, I prefer Pelican Boxes as they provide crush protection and really are dry (the nick name for dry bags is damp bags). 

 

 

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