How to Get In and Out of the Kayak Plus Tips to Be More Comfortable

Getting in and out of the kayak can be a real struggle, especially for beginners. You might look like a fool trying to do it and failing several times. Especially from a dock, it is not uncommon for people to end up tipping.

Getting in the kayak is not as easy as stepping with your right foot and setting in. In the same way, getting out is not as simple as standing and getting your one foot out followed by the other. There are specific steps that you need to learn when it comes to how to get in and out of the kayak.

How to Get In and Out of the Kayak

It does not take an expert to figure out how to do this right. This section will be divided into different parts depending on where you are coming from.

From a Dock

• If you are starting from the dock, chances are, it is tied. The first thing that you have to do is to get rid of the tie so that you can paddle away.
• Put the paddle on the platform. You should not hold it while you get in. Otherwise, you will easily lose your balance.
• Sit on the dock and put your feet inside the kayak in front of the cockpit while you are facing forward.
• Use your far hand to grab one side of the cockpit, bringing it closer to your body or the dock. After pulling over, move your body and reach for the seat.
• Now that you are settled, adjust your feet so that you will be comfortable in the cockpit. Assume the right posture, reach for the paddle, and you can now start kayaking.

Once you are ready to get out of the kayak, below are the things that you need to do.

• Paddle all the way to the edge of the dock. While it may be tempting to use your hand to reach the end of the dock, do not do this. This might cause you to flip.
• Once you are on the side of the dock, place the paddle on the platform. Again, similar to getting in, holding it while you get off will cause you to lose balance.
• Pull your farthest leg out of the cockpit. Use it to bring your body up.
• Sit on the side of the dock and slowly move the rest of the body out of the cockpit

From the Water

Since your body is already in the water and you do not have flat ground, this is going to be a bit more challenging.

• Find the kayak’s launching position. This should be in a calm part of the water with an even ground.
• Position the kayak in the water. Make sure to grab it with your dominant hand so that it won’t float away.
• Secure the paddle in the boat. Do not leave it floating in the water.
• Grab the rim of the kayak and put your one foot on the top. Hold the kayak while doing this. Lift the rest of the body.
• Once you are inside the cockpit, reposition your legs and start paddling once you have settled.

To easily get off the kayak while in the water, here are the steps that you should follow:

• Start by aiming the kayak in a position where you should get off. This should be in a position that is perpendicular to the shoreline.
• Paddle all the way to the shore. Do not make things more difficult by alighting in the middle of the water.
• Once you have settled, step one foot out of the cockpit.
• Hold the kayak and move the other foot until the entire body is out of the kayak.

Aside from getting in and out of the kayak, allow us to give you some tips as well on how you should be seated once you are already inside.

Your buttocks should be comfortably positioned based on the seat’s shape or contour.

• Most kayak seats will have a backrest. Adjust the position based on what you are most comfortable with.
• Stretch your legs all the way to the front of the cockpit. Some will have their knees slightly bent. A straight leg position, however, is better if you want to be more relaxed.
• Always keep your back straight while you are seated. Proper posture will have a direct impact on your performance while you are paddling.
• Even if you are sitting straight, your body should move from side to side depending on where you are paddling. Otherwise, this could put too much strain on the back and will be a reason for you to complain of discomfort.

Tips for a Comfortable Kayaking Position

Aside from learning how to get in and out of the kayak, this post will also share some tips on how you can be comfortable while you are in the water. It is important to pay attention to these things so that you can enjoy the experience and concentrate on paddling.

• One of the most important is to wear the right clothes. This will depend on the weather from where you are kayaking. Choose clothes based on the water temperature and not on the basis of air temperature. Use lightweight clothes with thin fabrics. Otherwise, your movements will be limited.
• Keep the kayak organized. The cockpit should be free of any mess that could get in the way when you are paddling.
• In the case of most kayaks, they are too cramped, which will limit the movements of the legs and the feet. It will be good to keep a dry bag under, which will provide a sort of cushion.
• You should also have a stash for the paddle. You won’t be paddling all the time. For instance, there are cases when you are fishing. The paddle should have a place to rest on the side.
• Whenever you are stroking or paddling, make sure that you use the whole body and not just the arm. This way, you won’t easily feel tired.
• It is important that you also master the right paddling techniques. This deserves a separate post and we will not deal with that in this guide.

Wrap Up

Getting in and out of the kayak does not need to be a challenging task. Simply follow the steps mentioned above and you will be able to do it like a pro. You won’t end up tipping if you know the right way to do it!