Experience #28: Wet exit

Theme: water

One of the challenges this year, coming up in July, will be to kayak with the orcas in the San Juan Islands. It may surprise some but I tend to be cautious. I know squat about kayaking. Soooo. We thought it best to take a level one course to at least know some strokes, and how to rescue ourselves.

The course was given by Ocean River Sports. Jeanette and Danika, our instructors were great. They were very enthusiastic and friendly, but were also good instructors and gave us really good basic skills. The course curriculum moved us from novices to beginner level boaters. Perfect for our planned trtip.

The wet exit was interesting. What if you capsize you kayak? The spray skirt holds you in the cockpit. (Notice I use terminology-nice eh?) Well the skirt has a loop at the bow end that sticks out from the cockpit combing. (stop it with all this terminology!) So one simply slides ones hand along the cockpit opening toward the front and one reaches the loop. Simply pull forward and up to release the skirt and kick out of the up-turned boat. Don't forget to hold onto you paddle (not oar). Now you're wet. and your boat has water in it... If your buddy is near by he/she can stabilise your boat while you spawn (climbing terminology-but appropriate description) up and back into your kayak. Or you can use a floater attached to your paddle and climb back in on your own. Very cool! The aim is of course NOT having to do this rescue in the first place, but it is nice to know how. Hopefully, one can "edge" (lean to one side) the boat and "brace" with the paddle (using the back of the paddle as a stabiliser) to re-adjust the level of the kayak and avoid capsizing. I think we're ready for the long week-end!