How to Right a Kayak

by Jeff Clay

Overview

Righting a kayak is one of the essential skills to master before attempting a kayak outing of any duration. Although designed to stay upright, it is still possible that your kayak will turn over. Knowing and practicing the proper way to get back in your boat safely will give you peace of mind and could possibly save your life.

Step 1

Exit the kayak. Use your hands to feel around the lip of the cockpit, moving them toward the front of the boat. You will find the strap attached to your kayak skirt. Pull the strap toward you, detaching the skirt from the boat. Place your hands on the sides of the boat and push it off of you like a pair of pants.
Step 2

Locate and retrieve the paddle. You will need this to help you get back into the boat.
Step 3

Turn the kayak upright. Keeping the paddle floating between your arms, swim to the cockpit area of the boat. While scissor-kicking your legs in the water, grab the near edge of the cockpit with one hand and reach underneath the boat to the opposite edge with the other. Push with your near hand and pull with your far hand to flip the kayak over.
Step 4

Insert paddle into the paddle float and inflate the paddle float.
Step 5

Brace the paddle against the kayak. Rest the end with the paddle float on the water surface and the other end on the boat, just behind the opening.
Step 6

Using the paddle as a brace, push yourself back onto the deck of the boat. You should be lying stomach down, facing the back of the boat. Your legs should be inside the boat opening.
Step 7

Turn yourself over so you are back in the normal paddling position. Use the bilge pump to remove excess water from the boat. Detach the paddle float from paddle and reattach the kayak skirt to boat.

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Kayak Personal Flotation Device Kayak skirt Paddle Paddle float Bilge pump
Kayak
Personal Flotation Device
Kayak skirt
Paddle
Paddle float
Bilge pump
Thoroughly read the literature that came with the kayak and other equipment, especially the paddle float. These will provide steps tailored to your specific gear.
Thoroughly read the literature that came with the kayak and other equipment, especially the paddle float. These will provide steps tailored to your specific gear.
Always practice with a partner who is in a separate boat. Knowing how to self-rescue is an important skill, but should attempted only when absolutely necessary. If you are in a cold weather climate, such as Alaska, wear a wet suit or dry suit to protect yourself from hypothermia.
Always practice with a partner who is in a separate boat. Knowing how to self-rescue is an important skill, but should attempted only when absolutely necessary.
If you are in a cold weather climate, such as Alaska, wear a wet suit or dry suit to protect yourself from hypothermia.