The #Capsize Drill for a Closed Cockpit #Kayak

By Matt Stephens

Capsizing and Escaping from a Closed Cockpit Kayak - The Basic and First Procedure

Introduction

When kayaking one of the most crucial things to be able to do is escape from your kayak should you need to, for example if you capsize and are unable to roll back up and there is no one else in the vicinity to rescue you (using a T Rescue, or often called an Eskimo Rescue).

Before setting out on the water the correct equipment should be worn; buoyancy aid (life jacket), helmet, warm clothing - dry, semi dry kagool or clothing to protect from elements (sun, rain, wind), appropriate foot wear. Other optional equipment includes a spray deck (covering the cockpit, stopping water to enter the kayak) in the form of cloth or neoprene.

The Capsize and Escape Drill (in a scenario)

You are out paddling on the river with your local kayak club on mild water (grade 1 - 2) and find you loose balance within some moving water and consequently end upside down. You have not yet learnt to self rescue (screw roll, hand roll) yourself back up.

1) Don't panic - doing so will reduce the amount of time you are able to hold your breath and may also lead to mistakes. Relax...that's the key.

2) When the kayak's settled in the water (ie. not still rolling over) its time for the most important part of the drill, Three loud bangs on the bottom of the kayak. To do this simply lean forwards (moving your head towards the spray deck) and reaching your hands out of the water onto the base of the kayak, in the middle of the cockpit area. From here bang three times.

This allows other kayakers near to you to be aware of your situation and take appropriate action.

This could lead to your being rescued in the form of an Eskimo Rescue.

3) Next, whilst remaining leant forward, move your hands into the same position as the three bangs stage above. This time however, bring your hands further towards the front of the kayak (around level with the front of your cockpit) whilst keeping them out of the water. They should now be positioned to the side of the kayak.

Now whilst holding this position, move your hands so that the palms of your hand are facing you (meaning your little finger is touching the kayak on both sides). Now move both hands down to the rear of the kayak, slowly, whilst keeping them out of the water as if you were directing a lorry reversing into a space.

Once your hands are level with the rear of the cockpit (around level with the back of your seat), turn your palms around so that they now face the front of the kayak. Then move them in a Reciprocating fashion, back and forth from front to back. See diagram below.

See diagram: http://www.eveshampaddlesport.co.uk/images/capsize_hand.jpg

This may seem silly but this allows you to find the nose of a kayak should someone try to Eskimo Rescue you by bringing their kayak in a T Shape to yours.

If this were a Eskimo Rescue you'd now pull yourself from the other kayakers kayak back up.

Lets continue as if there was no-one to rescue you, meaning you now need to escape the kayak and get wetter.

4) Pull the loop/strap/hoop at the front of your cockpit which is attached to your spray deck (the device that stops water entering your kayak).

This releases your deck, and water will start to enter your kayak. Don't panic!

5) Next whilst remaining in your kayak move your hands to behind the rear of your seat, with one hand either side of the kayak.

Push off from here using your hands, and you will naturally pivot out of your kayak in a sort of side ways "U" Shape.

6) You are now swimming in the water, whilst keeping hold of your paddle and kayak swim to the nearest or safest get out point (such as a slipway or fishing platform) and make an egress.

Note: whilst swimming a fellow kayaker may be able to empty your kayak of water and get you back in whilst still remaining on the river. This is called an "X Rescue".

Empty kayak and keep warm, by wrapping up and keeping out of the wind.

Matt Stephens

Evesham Paddlesport, 2007

[http://www.eveshampaddlesport.co.uk]

The Vale of Evesham's Kayak and Canoe Club

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Essential And Life Saving Safety Tips Highly Recommended In #Kayaking!

By Joe Okoro

In every endeavour that man engages himself, the issue of safety is an issue that should be highly imbibed. There should be no excuses as this can mean the loss of life when safety precautions are not honored. In the area of Kayaking, it is vital that every Kayaker should consider this as important as the art of Kayaking itself. No wonder the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has its rules concerning safety when it comes to Aviation matters.

If you are a Kayaker, you should already know that Kayaking is a sports adventure that is risky by nature and must be fully understood before anyone goes into it. Hence it is advisable if you are just starting, to understand such issues as reading the behaviour of water at different times of the day. Because this will help you to avoid being in the water when stormy weathers appear. This can cause the upsetting of the calm waters and may have catastrophic effect on anything floating on the waters. Apart from that, you want to make sure that your Kayaking equipments are high quality and you have learnt enough Kayaking skills to sufficiently take you through the waters without trouble.

On the other hand, you want to also learn how to swim. All professional Kayakers must as a requirement know how to swim very well. Obviously, since Kayaking is a water adventure, you need to fully understand the water in all areas to avoid being caught unaware by unforseen water events. To fully acquaint yourself with swimming, you will need to learn the art of swimming from either a professional swimmer or visit a neighborhood area that allows swimming in a pool. You must initially have the assistance of a lifebouy or water jacket to help in buoyancy while learning the swimming strokes. Such strokes as breast and butterfly are strokes you should learn how use to your advantage. When you have done all this, it is necessary that you repeat this swimming session over a period of time till you are comfortable on the waters without a life jacket while swimming.

One thing that might cause you fright for the novice Kayaker, is water creatures. You need not be afraid of them because when they see you with your Kayak, they swim away thinking you are one big fish trying to prey on them, unless if you are in inland waters where if any shark exist at all, can hardly find its way upstream. So you need not be afraid of the waters.

Learning how to swim first before kayaking will help you to avoid panic when problem situations arise in the water, it will help you to skillfully and confidently battle any difficulty you may have in the water when you eventually meet them. When you are through with your learning exercise on swimming, you can go to a real but not deep water to practice what you have learnt. If you don't have access to one, you might consider going with an experienced swimmer to the real water and try and test difficult situations and see how you are able to conquer and manage them. Over time you will see that you are confident and poised as you master all the techniques in Swimming and Kayaking.

For the Kayaker, who is a pro, his watch word is "Always Be Prepared". Expect problems even if they are never there. This will help you to successfully battle any one incase of any eventuality in Kayaking.

Joe Okoro writes about Kayaking in his free reports. You can sign up for his courses and get additional information by visiting: [http://www.coolcashjackpot.com/kayakingform.htm]

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T'ai Chi For #Kayaking And #Canoes Racing

By Jason Murphy

Kayaking and canoes involve paddling and water. T'ai Chi, a style of martial arts, is practiced on land with neither water nor boats. The two seem unrelated but did you know that T'ai Chi benefits water sports players like enthusiasts of kayaking and canoes racing? Paddling requires moving gracefully, strongly, and balanced on rough waters. It also puts much strain on the arms and the back, if done incorrectly. T'ai Chi improves and enhances paddling skills because the exercise and the sport follow the same principles.

Karen Knight and Betsey Forster, experts in kayaking and canoes racing, admit to doing T'ai Chi regularly. According to them, T'ai Chi provides cross-training. They claim that kayaking and T'ai Chi reinforce the skills and principles of each other which make practice of both relevant for improvement. They add that doing complementary exercises boosts the skills and energy levels of paddlers. The two share kayaking principles and the complementary T'ai Chi practices.

In any water sport, it is necessary to keep your body centered, quiet, and stable. These traits are reflected in your boat and spell the difference between staying on the boat or getting thrown off it. How you position your body and your posture play significant roles in kayaking and canoes racing. Sit straight and spread your weight equally between your buttocks to create a stable pelvic base. This position liberates your upper body and allows your lower body greater control over the boat. It is important to align your nose, navel, and tailbone to create a single unit. Making your body move and paddle as a unit minimize strain and risks of injuries. Another principle, called the paddler's box, incorporates power in paddling strokes. This is achieved by aligning hands and arms front of your shoulder plane. This ensures that your arms and shoulders are moving as a unit no matter how you paddle. Stable paddling is also a key factor in kayak racing. Most regard stable paddling as an accurate measure of the canoeists' skills. It is difficult to paddle quietly and keep the boat from bobbing but a good canoeist can do it. Avoiding pitching and bobbing the boat are done by keeping the boat stable and the paddling movement slow and accurate. Every move must be calculated because unnecessary motions can topple the boat over in rough current.

Stability, balance, and power are the main principles of kayaking. These are the very aspects T'ai Chi practices take care of. The T'ai Chi walk is recommended before launching and can help racers center and quiet their bodies in the water. It is done by elongating the spine much like the aligning of the nose, navel, and tailbone in kayaking and canoes racing, only this time, exercise is done standing up. The walk helps racers focus on their bodies and make them aware of their movements to reduce inefficiency. The steps are taken slowly with deliberate movements from the arms like paddling. The Hold The Ball movement aids in maintaining racers' paddler's box. In this exercise, the waist, arms, and torso do the work enabling them to get used to acting as unit before racing. Waist rotation is another exercise to improve efficiency of movement. The waists and the hips are given added power and stability since paddling action is rooted in the lower body. With these exercises, the canoeists' bodies are accustomed to being stable, maintaining balance, and efficient use of power.

Knight and Forster recommend practicing T'ai Chi regularly for those who are thinking of taking kayaking and canoes racing as a sport. This form of cross training also helps enthusiasts to become better riders and fluid paddlers. Regular training and T'ai Chi sessions keep canoeists ready and fit for succeeding kayaking and canoes racing events.

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#Kayaking the Grand River... No TV Eskimo Rolls Please!

by Garth Pottruff

A kayak lesson for "Eskimo rolls" is the last thing required to enjoy the Grand River. If a person did a roll when kayaking the Grand River, they would knock their "block" off on the shallow bottom. It is much easier when tipped to push on the sides and slide out. "Imagined-required-skills" is the greatest impediment to enjoying the leisure activity of kayaking the Grand River.

The biggest fear when kayaking the Grand River is tipping over and not getting out. Many have this horrible image of hanging upside down, stuck forever. Truth is, kayaks are stable and easy to exit. In fact recreational kayaks are easier to paddle and more stable then most canoes.

Dealing with the media image is the biggest problem. If a person had never experienced a bike and saw BMX bikes performing, they would believe they could not ride a bike; a ridiculous conclusion. The same mindset happens with kayaking. What the media portrays versus what the sport is; can create nightmares in the head. Nightmares in the head stop many people from experiencing everything.

If tipping and being trapped is a fear, the best medicine is to tip and get out with a spotter. People are amazed at how easy the exit technique is... they are even more amazed at how hard it is to tip. As tippers drain the water out, so fear leaves the mind.

For beginners, kayak lessons on the Grand River will insure a positive experience worth the investment. People tip on a river because they can't steer. Being unable to steer makes the novice kayaker vulnerable to everything that can catch and snag. People who can't steer, end up where they don't want to be. The bottom of a river is not always a breath taking view. The basics of river kayaking are simple... learn to steer a kayak, enjoy a beautiful river.

But it needs to be pointed out that for some, using a kayak is out of the question. People that are big in size should stay away from kayaks that are small in space. No one can slide out when totally jammed in. This is a valid danger and rafting on the Grand River would be a safer option for them.

The Top Places in America to Go #Kayaking

By Connor R Sullivan

Kayaking has been around for a very long time but has really taken off recreationally in the past twenty years or so. The original kayaks were extremely easy to tip and scared a lot of people into thinking that they can not be used for people other than those trained specifically in kayaking. Now, there are many kinds of kayaks available and some of them are so easy to use, there is really no training required to use one, other than proper paddling techniques. The fun thing about kayaks is you can take them out on all types of water whether it is the ocean, a river or a lake. Many places near these types of water have kayak rentals so you don't have to own your own kayak, kayak anchors or kayak leashes to try it. This article will explore the best places in the country to go kayaking.

Alaska is a spectacular state with unlimited beauty surrounding it making it one of the best spots to go kayaking. There are two notable spots in Alaska to go. The first one is called Glacier Bay and most of the kayaks there to rent are sea touring kayaks that are difficult to tip and are quite stable. In fact many people kayaking in Glacier Bay have never done it before and to be a part of that beauty on the water is amazing. The other place is Prince William Sound which is the perfect spot for the nature lover. It has one of the best ecosystems that has many types of wildlife and diverse habitats. This sound is enclosed by the mountains making it very calm and peaceful as well.

Another great state to kayak is Michigan with two specific locations. The first is Pictured Rocks lakeshore and offers spectacular sandstone cliffs along the rugged shoreline and nice white sand beaches to stop at too for more exploring on land. The second is Isle Royale and is the largest island on Lake Superior making it a great place to kayak. There are many little islands around this island making it fun to explore and many moose and wolf sightings are common.

Another great place for kayaking is in the state of Washington. The San Juan Islands allow the kayaker to be one with nature and to see some amazing marine life up close. There are a few outfitters that offer expeditions through this area that will offered great tours that incorporate whale watching, bird watching and kayak sailing.

The final place to go kayaking would be in some southern states like North Carolina or Florida. North Carolina has the Outer banks area that allows you to go around the many islands and different wildlife refuges that are sprinkled throughout that area as well as a national seashore and maritime forest too. In Florida, the Thousand islands in Cocoa Beach are a nice warm weather way to kayak exploring the islands and the Banana River lagoon that were all created when an inlet was formed.

Connor R. Sullivan has recently found several items for a camping trip by searching for the term kayak anchors on the internet. He also ordered kayak leashes on the internet to hold his fishing poles.

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