[Paddlewise] Exiting a kayak

This may sound nutty, but is there an easy way...no scratch that... Is there
a "graceful" way to exit a kayak in water a foot deep or so?

I find if I exit next to a sandy bank, where the kayak is parallel to the
shore and actually rests on the bottom or withing an inch or so, no problem
at all. On the other hand, some of the places I've gone only have a boat
ramp to access the water (rocky, no shoreline access). In an attempt to save
my kayak from the harsh treatment of the concrete boat ramp, I'll enter and
exit in about a foot of water, parallel to the ramp. Getting in is easy
enough. Getting out, especially after a long paddle is really quite
embassasing.

Any tips out there that can save me the embarrasment of getting dunked at
the take out?


Thanks in advance,

Woody

P.S. I guess I should describe how I do it now:
I lift myself up with my arms onto the rear deck, then I *attempt* to get my
feet out and into the water before I flip over on the side. The boat ramps
are usually pretty steep so it seem very awkward to hold the paddle to the
rear deck and against the ramp while getting out.

Score:
 Me 1 (barely)
 boat 1 (in front a a crowd no less)


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