How to Launch a Sea Kayak from a Dock

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Tips & Warnings

• Sea kayaking can be a very fun and relaxing sport. However, as with any sport dealing with open water, it has many inherent dangers. When learning how to sea kayak, it is a good idea to seek out professional instruction.

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[kayakdockman]

on 12/2/2008 Go to www.accudock.com and look at the low to the water floating docks and "kayak and rowing slips" they have created to make it easier and safer to use a kayak.

They have a 3 sided slip that contains your kayak - and the dock is only 7" off the water - they show pics of people in rowing shells simply standing up and walking off their vessel.

[teawithsu]

on 7/22/2007 Thank you SOOO much! I've only been in a kayak once at a fair. We launched from the lakes beach and the water was shallow. I plan to purchase my own, as I fell in love w/it first shot. So, here we go, onto the next adventure. I really appreciate the tips. I've read more and saved it all. Stay dry.
Su

on 11/22/2005 When buying MTB tubes it is important that you make sure you are getting the right tube size first. Many MTB rims can use tubes with in a range of sizes. Example my MTB rim can use a tube or tire between 26" X 1.5 or 26" X 2.5. Check the size written on yopu rim before you purchase new tubes if you don't know call your local bike store. Second MTB rims have two type of valves used to inflate the tube be sure that your rim is compatible with the valve you buy.

on 11/22/2005 I have launched from just about every place, from irregular rock outcroppings to smooth sand entrances. The dock entrance into a kayak shares something with the rocky ledge drop entry, in that you need to keep the kayak stable at the same time you (from off center) are shifting your weight from the side and into it. This CAN be done smoothly!

The kayak quickly responds to off center loading by drifting away. You will end up in the water quickly if you do not do the right weight transfer. The stability of the kayak (meaning maintaining enough balance for you to enter) is contingent on the way you transfer your weight from dock to boat. It's form and speed.

NEVER enter from a standing position! I sit next to the kayak at the edge of the dock. Starting with this low center of gravity will help you make a steady and more stable transition. While holding the kayak, swing one leg into the kayak and then the other.

Now that you have the weight of your legs in the kayak (feet in front of the seat, NOT on the seat), quickly and smoothly slide the rest of your body into the kayak and down on the seat, with your legs sliding down/ahead as you do this. It should feel like one smooth move.

If you stay relaxed while doing this, you will not be feeding jitters to the kayak which it will certainly respond to! As you keep your legs relaxed and do the quick weight shift from your low position on the dock edge to the kayak seat, the kayak does not have but a slight moment of imbalance to react to.

Done smooth and quick, the reaction is therefore minimal. An additional step can make it easier...but you will have upper body contact as well with the dock. After you have placed your legs into the kayak, you can twist your upper body around and support your upper body on the dock while you slide your hips into the kayak. Attain the lowest/closest position in the kayak you can with your legs and hips.

Every bit of weight you can put on the centerline of a kayak will help to stabilize it. It is a bit awkward to support your upper body in a dockward twist as you are trying to attain as full and centered a weight position of your lower body in the kayak, but this method allows greater initial weight insertion. Then you quickly push your upper body up from the dock (do not use the kayak or your weight in it to leverage your body up as it will tip the kayak before it works) with your arms while twisting into your normal position in the kayak. Again, use your ARMS to upright your body...NOT your hips, as much as possible. Yes, the kayak will respond with some initial instability (reacting more to your level of relaxation and technique - what in kayaking doesn't?), but it is very quickly countered once you are in the kayak. The bottom line is to shift from off center to the center of an object that needs you to be in center to stay afloat as SMOOTHLY and QUICKLY as you can. And you can!

A little practice and it can be as smooth as silk. Getting over stiffness and hesitance is the MAIN challenge here. Stay loose! When the unexpected wave comes, your relaxed body/technique will actually help the kayaks' dynamic response.