>From: "Thomas M. Heineman" <heineman_at_enteract.com> >In my opinion, a great beginning book that would also serve as a useful >reference for experienced kayakers is "The Essential Sea Kayaker" by >David Seidman. I just started kayaking in May this year and have opened >this book at least 100 times. Covers *all* the basics, e.g., how do you >get in and out of a kayak: from a beach, from a pier that is high, from >a pier that is low ...<snip> So how DO you get into your boat from a high pier? I usually just try to balance and support my weight with my arm on the dock, but my arm always seems to get all bruised up in the process. Evan Dallas Woodinville, Washington *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: Evan Dallas <Evan_Dallas_at_notes.ntrs.com> To: PaddleWise <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Sent: Monday, November 22, 1999 11:45 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] Getting in from a high pier > >From: "Thomas M. Heineman" <heineman_at_enteract.com> > > >In my opinion, a great beginning book that would also serve as a useful > >reference for experienced kayakers is "The Essential Sea Kayaker" by > >David Seidman. I just started kayaking in May this year and have opened > >this book at least 100 times. Covers *all* the basics, e.g., how do you > >get in and out of a kayak: from a beach, from a pier that is high, from > >a pier that is low ...<snip> > > So how DO you get into your boat from a high pier? I usually just try to > balance and support my weight with my arm on the dock, but my arm always seems > to get all bruised up in the process. > > Evan Dallas > Woodinville, Washington I will quote the book by Seidman (hope he doesn't mind since I gave him some free advertising): "...anything over 3 to 4 ft. from the water is too high. The determining factor is how far you can comfortably reach while seated in the boat. To gauge the probability for success of an entry from high dock, sit on the very edge and hang your legs over the side. If you have to stretch to make your toes reach the cockpit floor, you're flirting with trouble and should try to find some place lower. For a dock that is within your range ] should not be all that difficult. First, put your paddle down so you can reach it when in the boat. Then sit on the edge of the dock with your feet holding the kayak in place. Twist your body so you are facing the bow, place both hands on the dock ahead, and slightly to one side, push up so as to lift your rear, and then roll over on your front. Now, with your body leaning over the dock, rear suspended over the boat, and feet on the centerline of the cockpit, slowly lower yourself onto the seat bending your knees as you descend. During this procedure keep as much weight on your hands as possible. Trying to support too much weight with your feet will use the boat to move, leaving you hanging in space. The cockpits of some boats may make it impossible to lower yourself directly onto the seat. When this occurs, place your feet in the cockpit as before, but lower your rear to the aft deck. Once seated there, lift up a little, straighten your legs, and wriggle down onto the seat. To get out of the boat use the same procedure in reverse. etc. etc. etc..." I'd suggest buying the book and looking at the photos... with the photos and words it makes it pretty obvious what to do... Tom Heineman, Rogers Park, Chicago *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:05 PDT