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Step 1
Create a launch plan that has you going out against the current or the wind and coming back with it. This prevents you from have to battle a current or headwind as you return, already exhausted by the outing.
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Step 2
Place the boat in the water so that there's enough depth beneath the boat to keep the boat floating without touching or scraping the bottom, especially once you're on the boat. Wade out with the boat and position it in the direction that you intend to start paddling in.
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Step 3
Place one person at the bow and another person at the stern on the other side of the boat. Both people should hold the boat in place while their paddles are safely stowed on board the kayak or canoe. When ready, the stern rower gets into the boat, settles in and start to paddle.
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Step 4
Get the bow person in the boat once the stern person is settled and rowing. The first few strokes on the paddles need to be determined and well dug into the water so that current or winds don't blow the bow off course or back to the shore.
