How to Wet Exit out of a Kayak

Series Summary

There are many forms of kayaks including sea kayaks, fishing kayaks, whitewater kayaks, surf kayaks, racing kayaks and inflatable kayaks. A kayak is a motorless boat that is propelled by a manpowered paddle. Kayaks can accommodate up to three people and usually have a cockpit-style seat for each person under the deck of the kayak. Kayaks differ from canoes because they are smaller and propelled by double-ended paddles as opposed to single-ended paddles.

In these expert video clips, you can get beginner tips for kayaking including safety tips and precautions. Learn how to operate a kayak in the water. Our expert shares tips on turning a kayak, forward paddling, and reverse stroke paddling. In this series of expert videos, you can get important kayaking information including tips on how to maneuver a kayak using static draws and how to edge. Watch basic videos on kayak emergency exiting tips to keep safe while kayaking!

Video Transcript

"When exiting out of your kayak is essential before you go on the river whether you're in a recreational kayak, sea kayak or whitewater kayak. You should learn how to get out of your boat and self rescue yourself to shore. It's key to try this so try a couple of times with a friend around so you feel comfortable. Some things to remember when we do wet exit. In this case if I flipped over at this moment, which I'm not going to do right away. I'm going to bring my paddle to the side, I'm going tuck forward and when I'm tucked forward my head is protected with my helmet, my PFD protects my back. I also then can grab this grab loop, which is usually your ejection button for getting out of the kayak. So things to remember is tuck, pull and push. If I tuck forward I can then pull my grab loop like so, then I can use my hands to release the grab loop from the kayak and push myself out of the kayak. You want to push yourself totally free out of the kayak before you come up for air. So remember, tuck, pull and push. So I'm going to do one now, I'm going to get my spray skirt back on and then when I'm on my kayak I'll show you how swim to shore. So get ready! Remember to try this as often as you can to get really good at it. Here I go! Now I'm upright I never want to stand up in the river, I'm going to take my paddler you see here at the throat or the neck and there's a grab loop underneath with my kayak. I'll grab that with on hand and then I'll use the other hand to pull myself to shore and I never stand up when I'm in a river. See you later I'm going for lunch!"