Re: [Paddlewise] Really Dumb Question

At 05:33 AM 1/9/01 -0800, Wayne Smith wrote:
>Really Dumb Question:
>
>How do you get out of a kayak??
>
>I have a Nechi Telqwa Kayak - When I get in, I straddle the boat, sit on the
>back of the boat, dangle my feet in the water (To get rid of the sand and
>mud),  Then slide my feet into the cockpit while lowering myself into the
>seat.  Attach the skirt and off I go.  This kayak is extremely stable on the
>water...
>
>When I get to the shore, I cannot figure how to land the damn thing without
>dumping it, generally near the shore in 6" of water.

Although this technique is allegedly against the rules for BCU
certification, using the paddle to assist in entry/exit makes it
real easy.

When you get to shore turn you boat parallel to shore, then
pop your spray skirt.  Put your paddle behind you so that the
shaft is up against the rear cockpit combing and perpendicular to the
shoreline.  Turn the blade towards shore so that the power face is up.
It doesn't actually need to be on dry land but it's easiest if it's only
slightly above or below the waterline.  Take the hand which is furthest
away from shore and grab the paddle shaft and cockpit rim simulataneously
such that your fingers are in the cockpit and your thumb is wrapped
around the paddle shaft.  Place your other hand on the paddle shaft
midway between the boat and the paddle blade which is resting on the
shore (fingers forward) and lean slightly toward shore.  Lift your
butt up so that you're sitting just behind the cockpit, swing your 
feet onto shore and lean forward to stand up.  With practice you
can do this very quickly.

Entering the kayak using the same technique in reverse.  Put the boat
in the water parallel to shore. Lay the paddle shaft just behind
the cockpit perpendicular to shore, with the shoreside paddle blade
powerface up.  Stand in front of the paddle facing the bow.  Squat down
so that your shoreside hand grasps the paddle shaft midway between
the boat and the shoreside paddle blade.  Grab the paddle shaft and
cockpit combing at the same time with your fingers forward and lean
slightly towards shore and squat down until you're sitting just behind 
the cockpit (you can also sit partially on the paddle shaft).  From
this position you can wash your paddle shoes off before swinging
them into the cockpit and then sliding forward until you're seated.
Attach your spray skirt and off you go.

This technique can be performed such that you don't get your feet
wet entering or exiting if the boat is close enough to shore.  The
other advantage is that one can insert their feet into the cockpit
first (and remove them last when exiting) and then sit down.  If
you've got a small cockpit like I do, it's impossible to sit in
the seat before putting your fit in and knees under the deck.


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