Aloha. Your series has opened up ocean kayaking for me in many ways. Next step is surfing larger waves. I am using a 15' kayak similar to what you use except it doesn't have a cockpit, just a seat in a depression on the deck. Great for warm water. .
I’m not a kayak expert or even own a kayak, but everything I’ve seen or read says to have a paddle lanyard attached so it doesn’t get away from you. I know this is a training video, but people really do pay attention to what you are doing. I’m really interested in learning how to kayak, thanks for doing this video.
I'm a fairly novice sea kayaker, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. But I've had the good fortune to have been adopted by some pretty smart paddlers :) I had a situation once where we were practicing towing. I was wearing basically a fanny pack with rope in it. I clip the carabineer on one end of the rope to my friend's kayak, and then I tow her wherever. It was just a practice situation, she was fine, but it's a skill that we actually have used to help get exhausted kayakers back to shore, or to rescue big pool floaties that escaped from a family on the beach. When I was practicing towing my friend, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by a bunch of motor boats, and we decided to bail on it because we were worried about the tow rope getting caught in a boat propellor or something. So I release the tow belt from my waist. I as a newbie didn't realize I was supposed to throw the belt and instead just tried to paddle away from it, and the rope ended up briefly getting tangled in my kayak's rudder. It was a bit of a scary situation, compounded by a little miscommunication between us. We had a pretty lengthy debrief about that over lunch afterwards. All that to say, a paddle leash might not be a bad idea, but anytime you have any sort of cordage, whether it's a paddle leash or a tow rope or whatever else, you are introducing a potential entanglement hazard, and that can be incredibly dangerous in the perfect storm. Immediately after that tow rope incident, I went out and bought a knife that now lives on my PFD, and so I would say that you should only use a paddle leash if you have a knife easily accessible. And if you need to be willing to cut your paddle leash anyways, then you ought to plan for the worst case scenario of it then floating away after cutting the leash, and bring a spare. I'm fairly active in my regional paddling community, and I rarely if ever see anyone -novice, expert, or anyone in between- using a paddle leash. Yes, when I was first learning, my paddle floated away from me a few times, but I was always learning in groups and someone managed to chase it down for me. Now I've gotten much better about people security, even when I'm upside-down underwater and trying to get myself out of a capsized boat. IMO, a paddle leash just isn't worth it. Kayaking can be a dangerous sport. So we to what we can to minimize those dangers. The way I see it, a paddle leash could save me $300 to replace a lost paddle, but is that worth the slightly increased odds I don't make it home safely?
I'm a novice paddler and want to learn to do self-rescue, so this was very helpful, particularly the beginning of the video where you suggest just getting comfortable being outside of the cockpit and moving around without tipping over. I will try that first in shallow water and work my way up to the rest of it.
Thank you Brian, glad it is usefull to you. It is a drill you can build up at your own pace. On flat calm, then on choppy. You can add a time limit if you want, ..... Cheers 😊💦👌
Cheers! Have fun (you will)! Besides extra confidence for a self-rescue, this particular exercise made it easy for me to attach my long tow line to the bow without getting wet. You can see what I mean in our most recent video ( Rescue Training Dredger Rio, part 3).
Me and Mick tried the drill this morning, harder than it looks after a few attempts we managed to get the first part done and nearly the second but had to do lots of rescues so really good fun and great practice. Also could you tell me what you are doing with the paddle when the kayak is upside down emptying the water from the cockpit? Thanks again Dimitri
@@gw6797 great to hear, keep up the good work and both of you will master this very quickly. We do this drill on open water, with waves as well. The paddle leans on my shoulder, between shoulder strap PFD and my neck so it stays in place . Then the paddle blade needs to make a sculling, infinite motion for pressure on the surface. That way I avoid getting pushed under water by the weight of my boat when lifting it up to empty the cockpit . This works good if the boat isn't expedition laden and if conditions are not too rough.
Thank you Dimitri for posting this fun exercise. Our group of 11 paddlers tried this at our monthly event today. We had varying success but most of all it was a lot of fun. Something I noticed was that kayaks with low flat rear decks are so much easier to self rescue and perform these sort of manouevres with. Unfortunately the local kayak makers down here in New Zealand haven't taken P&H's lead and continue to build high volume top decks. On a positive note however, there has been a good retail supplier importing P&H and other UK kayaks and people are catching on to the benefits. I just hope our innovative kayak builders here continue developing designs that make kayaking not only a fun pastime but a safer one too.
Hi Lance! So great to hear that you and your group have tried this. On the matter of the high volume kayaks, the best advice I can give is to send an email with your remarks to the local kayak builders. It can take some time, but if they are really willing to improve they will listen to customers advice. I'm doing the same over here and they really appreciate it. Best regards to you and your group! Cheers, Dimitri
I learnt how to do this today and had the same issue. One tip that may help. I had two 10 litre dom bags and filled those up with water and added these to the bow / stern compartments. It really helped to lower and stabilise the kayak slightly. After some practice nailing the drill, I cut it down to 5 L in each bag, before going all the way down to nothing. Even after doing over 30 drills for practise, I managed to get back into the empty yak a couple times before my muscles gave out and had to resort to a stern cowboy. It's a heck of a lot more strenuous with a rounded deck!
Merry Christmas Dimitri & Sylvie,Excellent video,it is a timely reminder for me,(returning to Paddling after an enforced lay off),to take care of the basics(staying alive),How I wish I lived in Belgium,yours is a most professional /club/crew.This video is my Christmas Present to Me,May I wish you all at NorthSeaKayak,many leagues of Safe Paddling in 2018.
Thank you so much for your kind worlds Tony, much appreciated! Always welcome to paddle along with us, should you ever be in Belgium. A happy New year to you and your beloved ones to! Cheers, Dimitri
Really enjoy your uploads. I am just a novice. I tried this expecting to capsize immediately, I was amazed how much the kayak let me get away with! Really helped with my confidence on the water so I decided to try edging and leaning and got a bit carried away... capsized several times.
Thanks for sharing your story Rob, and the compliment! Do not worry about capsizing sometimes. In our team we have a saying. "If a kayaker never capsizes, he (or she) is not pushing his (or her) limits. :-) So in our team, no one is afraid to capsize, it's all part of the process! Cheers, Dimitri
Amazing skill, strength and balance. You've just managed to do a whole drill in the time it takes me to put a spray deck on and seal launch! I'm starting out on my kayaking journey with my local Scout Troop providing lessons. Your drill is a great way to build confidence. I like the idea of building up to rougher water and also the timing element. It'll definitely help me improve. I'll check out some other videos on this channel.
Thank you for your comment on the video. Glad it proves useful, and lovely to hear that you can improve your own skills. It is not that hard, but it is in the details, and a lot of practise. Have fun!
Great video. Very well done. Now as a general rule you should never, never, never be in the water in a boat harbor like that. There are always poorly maintained boats there and the potential exists for electrocution when a near by boat has current to ground shorting. People die every year swimming in harbors like that when they encounter the electrical current. Your suit will provide some protection but best to be away from the boats if you are going in the water.
Cheers Thomas, glad you like the video! Never heard of what you are saying before. I know that in Nieuwpoort harbor every pontoon has automatical switches to prevent this, and these are maintained. Gonna ask around for this, cheers. 👌😊
Good job! Don't expect this to work from the first time, same for building up to rougher conditions. But if you keep doing what you do, you will manage!👌💪😊
Nicely made video, I love the bright images and the contrast between the saturated colors of the kayak/paddler and the grey background. The exercise is excellent and in fact quite basic stuff; all kayakers should practise that on a regular basis. Love your videos, greetings from Spain.
@@Northseakayak Thanks to you, Dimitri. Well yes, the virus still didn´t find me here in Spanish nature. Although because of all the restrictions it has been a quite year for the kayak. Hope you and your beloved ones are well too.
Hats off indeed, i tried this and every thing that could snag did indeed snag. I can get myself in 'riding the tail end' but no way can i do it if there's any chop.. I'll try this side approach you show. Looks real easy hahaa! Great filming, keep going!
Hi there, thank you for watching and commenting. Have a try, the first times on flat water will be a bit shaky, so make sure that you do all the movement very slow. That way you will get a feel on how the boat behaves. After that you can try to beat your previous time and if that is succefull, then go for a bit choppier conditions. And don't forget to have fun! :-) Cheers, Dimitri
Wow...you made that look all too easy! I had to go back and watch again to check for cuts in the edit to see if you took a breather. I would have been gassed at 30 seconds. Guess it's time to practice. Really great ideas for practicing, thanks!
Hey , thanks for the video , awesome training , its all about balance . i passed your video link to a kayaking fun 2018 group . I will be trying some of these things out this year. .... thumbs up
Hi Klaus, So great to hear, and thank you for sharing (both the video, as the sea kayak vibe)! :-) It's a great drill and you will see that everybody in your group can do it after some training. If it's succesfull, then try it in the circumstances you paddle in. Have fun! Cheers, Dimitri
Hi Dimitri and Sylvie.I took basic course In kayaking and introduction to self-rescuing like you do here now this weekend.How i feel now? sore muscles and exhausted.But..wow how fun it is.Cheers,Kjetil (Norway)
These are very nice balancing exercises. One should, indeed, practice them to improve balance and flexibility. However, I think there is a reason why we never see videos of any kayaker doing this type of self-rescue in conditions rough enough to knock them over, much loess rough enough to make them come out of their boat. Jon Cons, former ACA certified Coastal Kayaking Instructor.
Hello Jon, Thanks for your kind reaction! Yes, this helps us, and a lot of others, perform a swift cowboy-scramble self-rescue. Balance and timing is everything when out there in rough conditions.👌😊 Cheers!
@@Northseakayak The question I am raising is: can YOU at your skill level perform a cowboy scramble self-rescue in conditions big enough to knock YOU over? Especially, can you do it after fighting to stay upright, having your roll fail and wet exiting the boat at which time you are, almost by definition, a bit disoriented? At your skill level, I would presume the conditions under which you would come out of your boat would be horrific. Could you do do this self-rescue at that time? A paddle-float re-entry and roll can compensate for a lot of disorientation and flawed trolling technique. It then gives you a much more stable platform to get your spray deck on and pump out the water from the cockpit.
@@judithcons7695 hmmm.... difficult to answer that. On the water, it is never black or white. I don't believe in so called bomb proof rolls, neither in other rescues. Everything can fail if conditions are totally against you. That is why we train on several rescue techniques, including rolling, re-entry and roll and self-rescues with and without paddle float. In breaking surf (see conditions in Schipgat series) I will choose the re-entry and roll but without pumping out. In force 7 but open sea (see our The Run series) I perform the cowboy-scramble. No need to grab a pump as I empty the kayak before climbing in. As for that, I don't believe in pumping out in the really rough stuff. In our team we train on doing or trying a self-rescue 3 times tops before calling for help. First times mostly without paddle-float, third time with paddle-float. If that doesn't work after 3 times and exhaustion kicks in: call for help. Never had to do that before myself so I manage to perform a solid self-rescue in the conditions I paddle in. Let's hope it stays that way. Hope this is an answer to your question? Cheers!😊👌
@@Northseakayak Thanks for taking all that time. We both have obviously thought about this over the years, in my case (I’m 75) a lot of years. I just worry that variations on the cowboy-scramble type of rescue are what I see more of these days. It has the advantage of not having to fool with extra equipment, which the paddler may not have or may lose when everything is going wrong. Also, because there is no extra equipment, it is simpler to teach. A paddle float type of rescue may be more reliable for the novice, who is most likely to find themselves in the water unexpectedly, which is why I still think it should be taught first.
Glad you like it! It is theoretically easier without PFD.... but: dangerous as well! As a (sea) kayaker you should always wear your PFD, and thus train with it. Best of luck, and have fun!
It is very difficult to just scramble onto the deck , more so without the float at the end BUT i did notice he used both legs as one big kick to propel himself up and over. That may help.One more detail to practice. Thanks!
You're welcome! If you find it too difficult to scramble on the back deck right behind the cockpit, maybe you should move a bit to the rear. The kayak is less wide and for some people better to scramble onto the deck. It is a bit in between cowboy-scramble and the ladder technique. Hope this helps? And training, lot's of training! Have fun!😊💪👌
Hi Dimitri, very good Training idea I'll start with it in the springtime. Merry Christmas to you and your Family and a good jump into the New Year. Greetings Steppe
Hi there! Thanks for the compliments, just went back from the hairdresser, so couldn't affort to get my "coifure" all wet again! :-D Have a good and healthy New year! Dimitri
Thank you for posting this! Great display of skill and you managed to capture som very important details nicely on camera too. Would it be okay to use this video to show to my own kayak "students"? I find many beginners struggle with getting frem the water onto the rear deck, and you capture the patience, floating feet and explosive move from water to deck really well here. Much more so than is practical with a group of new paddlers within a reasonable time frame. Once again thank you for taking the time to make these videos /Søren
Hi Soren! You're welcome, and thank you as well!! Yes, please, feel free to use this. Consider it shareware! Please mention about us to your students? Greetings!!
Good video, i have been watching that RNLI program and kayakers often on the program for wrong reasons . Padling alone, not able to get back on kayak ? And kayaking in conditions way above their skillset. Never done kayaking it looks great , it is obviously a hobby that requires good skills as sea is dangerous and cold ! :)
Yes, you are absolutely right. That is why we build up our skills, in the conditions we paddle in. There can Always happen something, but that is in every sport... Every trip we do, we train on rescues and other skills, no exceptions. Thank you for watching and commenting! Cheers, Dimitri
Thanks for the great video! Is this method good when there are waves or it's more stable to go for the other technic when you crouch (belly against the kayak) and bring your legs in the cockpit and then pivote to sit in it (don't know if my explanations are clear) ?
Hi, and thank you! Yes it works on rough seas as well. It will become difficult in surf conditions, where I would opt re-entry and roll. This self rescue works in the conditions we filmed the series "The Run", to be seen on our channel. Cheers!
Thank you for sharing this. I wanted to inquire about what us the best clothing to wear when kayaking in cold weather. I worry about tipping and not being able to stay warm. What brands so you like? I am a plus sized woman. Generally kayak with my dog.
Hi Beth, Always make sure your clothing is adjusted to the water temperature, that is the mist important rule. Wheter you use a wet or a dry suit, field test it in a safe environment to see if it is sufficient. In the video, water temperature is only about 5°C, so I'm wearing a few base layers underneath my dry suit. I'm using TYPHOON dry suits as the are high quality, yet affordable. All the best!😊👍
Dankjewel Jeffrey. Nee er is geen echt merkbaar verschil bij deze oefeningen tussen beide boten. De Cetus is zo wat het composiet broertje van de Scorpio. Doordat ie wat langer en smaller is, is ie een klein tikkeltje sneller. Het verschil in breedte is echter voor dergelijke oefeningen verwaarloosbaar. Veel plezier! Dimitri
It would be interesting to see this in real circumstances when your leg does not touch the ground and when there is choppy water. Unfortunately all these rescue videos show calm waters where I would not capsize and where it would be easy to re-enter the kayak. I would like to see what technique is needed in difficult circumstences where I will really need it.
Reason for this, filming in calm water for instructional purpose is easy to show details. Please understand that we are not a professional film crew and that we do our best to share our knowledge via this way. Cheers!👌😊
I'm baffled about how you can sit in the cockpit and get your feet out? Can you share how long your cockpit is? Maybe also share your inseam length and shoe size. I have to get on the back deck first and then get my feet out. It is really tippy on the back deck while me feet are still in the boat, so I'm looking to do it your way.
Hi Frank, Cockpit is 80cm. Shoe size is EU41. Check if seat is not positioned to far to the front. If you cannot perform this rescue due to smaller cockpit, or any other reason for that matter, I would reccommend the heel hook self-rescue with paddle-float. Works every time if trained enough. Hope this helps?
Hi! You're not the first, it is the cockpit itself that is too small for you. When buying a sea kayak, it's best to try this out. That way you are sure about the cockpit-size. It has nothing to do with the overall size of the boat. So don't buy a HV model just for that. Look for a brand that has a larger cockpit-opening. Cheers!👍👌
Hi Greg, Good question!😊👌 We used a paddle leash during the first years. Then we saw that it was sometimes more in the way, and we always train wet exits while holding the paddle with one hand, and the kayak with the other hand. If you use one, check and try where it fits best: on the PFD or connected to your boat. We are not against the use of a paddle leash, we consider it a personal choice. All the best!😁👍
I consider that as a compliment! 😉 But indeed, it take some energy but it's important you can do this in the conditions you paddle in. Have fun! Cheers, Dimitri 👍👌
What if its windy and your kayak takes off on you? Your paddle is gone and kayak is moving away? You're relying on your vest to keep you up & alive. Should a tether of a sort be attached? Or is that just another way to drowned if you get tangled?
Hi Jill, We are an advocate for short tethers between paddler and kayak during the rougher conditions. However, this is to be sure not to loose your kayak right after the capsize and wet exiting. Once there, we detach in order to empty the boat. In rough conditions, we will keep paddle and boat together for this. A longer line can entangle you. So, we need to make choices. If you prefer a re-entry and roll, then the short tether can stay put. Choices, and knowing what you're doing is key. Cheers!👌😊
Good question, and you cannot see it in the video: kicking with your feet/legs! In rough conditions my heads also goes under for a seconds, so no worries . It will become a habit when you keep training. Good job!😊👍
How about trying that in kayak that has a more traditional sized opening. In my Cape Horn you can't get your legs without first getting out of the seat plus it is a far narrower boat.
One of our team members has such a kayak and he trained specifically on the heel hook self rescue with paddle-float. Re-entry and roll is also an option. Have a look, and have fun!😊👌
Hi Karl, Give the kayak a small twitch to one of the sides so air can flow into the cockpit. Then it will be easier to lift. Good question! Cheers! Dimitri
Hi Dimitri, I successfully performed the capsized drill as you advised. I flooded and capsized the boat in the sea under training conditions. Twitched the capsized boat to one side, followed by an upward move and rotation to bring the boat afloat draining about 80% of the water in the cockpit emptying the kayak from the water and rendering it more stable. This is followed by the cowboy drill to re-enter the cockpit. Thank you once again for your excellent videos and advice.
Oh so great to hear that kind of feed-back!! Always good to hear that there are other paddlers that train on those techniques, makes you a lot more comfortable when paddling in the rougher conditions. All the best! Cheers, Dimitri
You're welcome. We do our videos in English for a few years now, because someone asked for it. That way we can reach a larger group. The more you do this drill, the easier it gets, for sure! :-) Cheers, Dimitri
Hi Tomek, I used to tether my paddle with a paddle leash. I stopped doing that because no I can use my paddle more freely when doing self rescues. In this case there is no good and wrong, it's more a matter of personal prefference. So I would advise you to do what feels best. Cheers, Dimitri
You're welcome! It certainly will come in handy and it's fun to do this with a couple of friends. We're always enjoying those moments with the team members, lots of laughter! :-)
@@Northseakayak yep I will be fine thanks . i just ned to practice to get my balance back . I noticed last time i went paddling my ballence was getting better . so it should just be a matter of time and practice
Me and Sylvie are using the MAgic Marine Ultimate boot with a zipper. Perfect when going in and out with dry suit socks. Here you can find the details; Cheers, Dimitri www.magicmarine.com/product/footwear/ultimate-boot/
I physically cannot get my legs out and in the cockpit like that guy can. I have to lean back and hold on to the rear of my cockpit. Pretty much all kayaks are the same for me. Maybe my legs are too long ...
Hi D.Allan, have you checked if you have the right size of boat/cockpit? If you have a keyhole cockpit than you should be able to perform this kind of action. If so, maybe do some agility training (I'm doing this on a regular base). I hope this helps? Best of luck, have fun on the water! Dimitri
NORTHSEAKAYAK I’m definitely lacking in the flexibility department so I’m working on it. I pretty sure it’s the correct size although there isn’t much clearance. It’s fine sitting on the shore doing that when the boat is braced but as you say, you need the flexibility and core strength to do it when the boat is in water. Cheers, subscribed !
Hi! If one does not have the stenght to lift the kayak (emptying), you will need to pump out the remaining water once seated. This is also the case with a fully laden kayak. Hope this helps? You can see the pumping in our video "Paddle-float self-rescue". Close the spraydeck and leave a small gap for the pump. All the best! Please let us know how it goes.😊💦💪👌
@@Northseakayak I go out in my kayak all the time. I love it out there and I live in a kayakers paradise so all I want to do is get out on the water. I have no interest in any other kind of boat. But I'm a 68 yr old female and not confident of my ability to self rescue. I've managed it twice but with great difficulty and in calm water. I carry a locator beacon. As soon as the weather warms up a bit more (it's winter here) I hope to practice self-rescue until I get better at it but its hard to learn new tricks at my age. I keep looking at videos like yours to help me learn what I need to practice. You are an inspiration. I am very careful not to fall out of my boat but I know it will happen some time so I'm determined to learn. I did fall out once coming ashore in surf but as it was a beach no need to self rescue. Today I paddled alone again and sometimes I think I must be crazy but I just love the fact that at any time out there I could meet up with wildlife. Today it was a big stingray. A week or so back I was in my double kayak with a friend and a big pod of wild bottlenose dolphins took us in their slipstream and towed us miles off course. It took hours to paddle home again. My young crew was tired from a head injury so I had to do a bigger share of the paddling. I was shattered by the time we got in, but I wouldn't have missed that amazing experience for anything. BTW I see a boat behind you with RNZYS. That's the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Did you film it here in New Zealand? Or has that boat sailed to the Northern hemisphere?
Hi Tui, So great to hear your story. Must say that I put my hat of for people like yourself, always eagar to learn no matter what the age is. Our "oldest" team member has turned 72, and he still loves beeing in the water, even if he strugles with his rescue techniques. That boat that you saw must have sailed here, we filmed in Nieuwpoort harbor which is in Belgium, Europe. All the best, have fun and be safe!😊👌💪
@@Northseakayak I just realised I commented on this last year ! Yes, I think it’s because the cockpit is a bit short, I’m not very flexible and the seat leans me back a bit
@@DAllan-lz3lg ah, yes indeed, that can be the problem. When one buys a kayak, make sure to ha e a seat in it. Then try to get legs in and out whilst sat. That way you're sure that a self-rescue isn't a problem. Happy paddling!! And if your cockpit is small, try rolling or the paddle float self rescue (heel-hook). Cheers!👍😊
@@Northseakayak Can you link the videos to those types of exercises and re-entry? My seatback is pretty high. I can not lift myself over it at this time. Our lake bottom is like quicksand. We had a fellow drown after sinking in it and unable to extricate himself from the reeds.
Hi there, so sorry to hear. Are you sure you have the right size of boat/cockpit for you? Maybe that is where the problem is.... Have fun and be safe! Cheers, Dimitri
@@Northseakayak I have several kayaks. The cockpit size doesn't tend to block a size 13 foot, but the clearance between the deck and the bilge does. My primary sea kayaks are an Epic 18x and a CLC 17. I can manage self-rescues and rolls in both, but my toes have to be pretty pointed to clear. Once I'm in wearing a shoe with any volume, my feet get pinned. I still manage to complete a couple of 500 km trips a year, but i never manage to get in and out with the same grace as someone with smaller feet.
Makes it look so easy! A kayak dancer!
This is a very useful video….I especially like the focus of making sure that you keep hold of your paddle at all times.
Thank you! Glad this was usefull to you. Be safe and enjoy the water!
Aloha. Your series has opened up ocean kayaking for me in many ways. Next step is surfing larger waves. I am using a 15' kayak similar to what you use except it doesn't have a cockpit, just a seat in a depression on the deck. Great for warm water. .
I’m not a kayak expert or even own a kayak, but everything I’ve seen or read says to have a paddle lanyard attached so it doesn’t get away from you. I know this is a training video, but people really do pay attention to what you are doing. I’m really interested in learning how to kayak, thanks for doing this video.
I'm a fairly novice sea kayaker, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. But I've had the good fortune to have been adopted by some pretty smart paddlers :)
I had a situation once where we were practicing towing. I was wearing basically a fanny pack with rope in it. I clip the carabineer on one end of the rope to my friend's kayak, and then I tow her wherever. It was just a practice situation, she was fine, but it's a skill that we actually have used to help get exhausted kayakers back to shore, or to rescue big pool floaties that escaped from a family on the beach.
When I was practicing towing my friend, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by a bunch of motor boats, and we decided to bail on it because we were worried about the tow rope getting caught in a boat propellor or something. So I release the tow belt from my waist. I as a newbie didn't realize I was supposed to throw the belt and instead just tried to paddle away from it, and the rope ended up briefly getting tangled in my kayak's rudder. It was a bit of a scary situation, compounded by a little miscommunication between us. We had a pretty lengthy debrief about that over lunch afterwards.
All that to say, a paddle leash might not be a bad idea, but anytime you have any sort of cordage, whether it's a paddle leash or a tow rope or whatever else, you are introducing a potential entanglement hazard, and that can be incredibly dangerous in the perfect storm. Immediately after that tow rope incident, I went out and bought a knife that now lives on my PFD, and so I would say that you should only use a paddle leash if you have a knife easily accessible. And if you need to be willing to cut your paddle leash anyways, then you ought to plan for the worst case scenario of it then floating away after cutting the leash, and bring a spare.
I'm fairly active in my regional paddling community, and I rarely if ever see anyone -novice, expert, or anyone in between- using a paddle leash. Yes, when I was first learning, my paddle floated away from me a few times, but I was always learning in groups and someone managed to chase it down for me. Now I've gotten much better about people security, even when I'm upside-down underwater and trying to get myself out of a capsized boat.
IMO, a paddle leash just isn't worth it. Kayaking can be a dangerous sport. So we to what we can to minimize those dangers. The way I see it, a paddle leash could save me $300 to replace a lost paddle, but is that worth the slightly increased odds I don't make it home safely?
One of the best video materials on this topic!
Thanks for the lovely compliment Anton!
I almost always kayak alone on my Scottish loch so I should practice this. Very useful video thanks.
@@bendenisereedy7865 you're welcome! Enjoy your training!
I'm a novice paddler and want to learn to do self-rescue, so this was very helpful, particularly the beginning of the video where you suggest just getting comfortable being outside of the cockpit and moving around without tipping over. I will try that first in shallow water and work my way up to the rest of it.
Thank you Brian, glad it is usefull to you. It is a drill you can build up at your own pace. On flat calm, then on choppy. You can add a time limit if you want, ..... Cheers 😊💦👌
Trust me it aint as easy as he made it look😂
Always a lot of ideas to improve the skills of the kayaker, bravo
Thanks Jean-Luc!! Dimitri
Capó gran video
동영상 감사합니다. 열심히 보고 실행 하겠습니다~~
i have just mentioned this to my fellow Kayakers so think we'll be trying this next time we get out, thanks for the idea and a great video
Cheers! Have fun (you will)! Besides extra confidence for a self-rescue, this particular exercise made it easy for me to attach my long tow line to the bow without getting wet. You can see what I mean in our most recent video ( Rescue Training Dredger Rio, part 3).
Me and Mick tried the drill this morning, harder than it looks after a few attempts we managed to get the first part done and nearly the second but had to do lots of rescues so really good fun and great practice. Also could you tell me what you are doing with the paddle when the kayak is upside down emptying the water from the cockpit?
Thanks again Dimitri
@@gw6797 great to hear, keep up the good work and both of you will master this very quickly. We do this drill on open water, with waves as well. The paddle leans on my shoulder, between shoulder strap PFD and my neck so it stays in place . Then the paddle blade needs to make a sculling, infinite motion for pressure on the surface. That way I avoid getting pushed under water by the weight of my boat when lifting it up to empty the cockpit . This works good if the boat isn't expedition laden and if conditions are not too rough.
@@Northseakayak good info, thanks
Hi Dimitri, Thanks for your help, I managed to do this today with my issues and it was a great help in boosting confidence and safety.
So glad it worked out for you!! Thumbs up for that!!
Thank you Dimitri for posting this fun exercise. Our group of 11 paddlers tried this at our monthly event today. We had varying success but most of all it was a lot of fun. Something I noticed was that kayaks with low flat rear decks are so much easier to self rescue and perform these sort of manouevres with. Unfortunately the local kayak makers down here in New Zealand haven't taken P&H's lead and continue to build high volume top decks. On a positive note however, there has been a good retail supplier importing P&H and other UK kayaks and people are catching on to the benefits. I just hope our innovative kayak builders here continue developing designs that make kayaking not only a fun pastime but a safer one too.
Hi Lance! So great to hear that you and your group have tried this. On the matter of the high volume kayaks, the best advice I can give is to send an email with your remarks to the local kayak builders. It can take some time, but if they are really willing to improve they will listen to customers advice. I'm doing the same over here and they really appreciate it. Best regards to you and your group! Cheers, Dimitri
I learnt how to do this today and had the same issue. One tip that may help.
I had two 10 litre dom bags and filled those up with water and added these to the bow / stern compartments. It really helped to lower and stabilise the kayak slightly. After some practice nailing the drill, I cut it down to 5 L in each bag, before going all the way down to nothing. Even after doing over 30 drills for practise, I managed to get back into the empty yak a couple times before my muscles gave out and had to resort to a stern cowboy.
It's a heck of a lot more strenuous with a rounded deck!
Another fantastic video.Thanks Dimitri
Thank you for watching, and for the compliment! All the best! Dimitri
Merry Christmas Dimitri & Sylvie,Excellent video,it is a timely reminder for me,(returning to Paddling after an enforced lay off),to take care of the basics(staying alive),How I wish I lived in Belgium,yours is a most professional /club/crew.This video is my Christmas Present to Me,May I wish you all at NorthSeaKayak,many leagues of Safe Paddling in 2018.
Thank you so much for your kind worlds Tony, much appreciated! Always welcome to paddle along with us, should you ever be in Belgium. A happy New year to you and your beloved ones to! Cheers, Dimitri
Another excellent video. Very inspiring!! More great footage by Sylvie.
Thank you Gary, I'll pass it through to her! Best regards! Dimitri
Really enjoy your uploads. I am just a novice. I tried this expecting to capsize immediately, I was amazed how much the kayak let me get away with! Really helped with my confidence on the water so I decided to try edging and leaning and got a bit carried away... capsized several times.
Thanks for sharing your story Rob, and the compliment! Do not worry about capsizing sometimes. In our team we have a saying. "If a kayaker never capsizes, he (or she) is not pushing his (or her) limits. :-) So in our team, no one is afraid to capsize, it's all part of the process! Cheers, Dimitri
Amazing skill, strength and balance.
You've just managed to do a whole drill in the time it takes me to put a spray deck on and seal launch!
I'm starting out on my kayaking journey with my local Scout Troop providing lessons.
Your drill is a great way to build confidence. I like the idea of building up to rougher water and also the timing element. It'll definitely help me improve.
I'll check out some other videos on this channel.
Thank you for your comment on the video. Glad it proves useful, and lovely to hear that you can improve your own skills. It is not that hard, but it is in the details, and a lot of practise. Have fun!
Amazing as always...
Cheers Samaras!!
Awesome, thank you! I like the balance practice! I'll be practicing these in my launch area to get them down.
Have fun! We did them today on open water! :-) Cheers, Dimitri
Great video. Very well done. Now as a general rule you should never, never, never be in the water in a boat harbor like that. There are always poorly maintained boats there and the potential exists for electrocution when a near by boat has current to ground shorting. People die every year swimming in harbors like that when they encounter the electrical current. Your suit will provide some protection but best to be away from the boats if you are going in the water.
Cheers Thomas, glad you like the video! Never heard of what you are saying before. I know that in Nieuwpoort harbor every pontoon has automatical switches to prevent this, and these are maintained. Gonna ask around for this, cheers. 👌😊
Good video, really educational
Thanks, glad it proves usefull!👌
We did self rescue drills last Sunday I few of us didn’t manage them so we went with assisted rescues but will try a self rescue again
Good job! Don't expect this to work from the first time, same for building up to rougher conditions. But if you keep doing what you do, you will manage!👌💪😊
@@Northseakayak thanks will keep trying each week when the tide is in anyways haha
Nicely made video, I love the bright images and the contrast between the saturated colors of the kayak/paddler and the grey background. The exercise is excellent and in fact quite basic stuff; all kayakers should practise that on a regular basis. Love your videos, greetings from Spain.
Thanks for the nice comments! Sorry, but I didn't get a notification for this, hence my late reaction. All the best! Hope you are fine and healthy?👍😊
@@Northseakayak Thanks to you, Dimitri. Well yes, the virus still didn´t find me here in Spanish nature. Although because of all the restrictions it has been a quite year for the kayak. Hope you and your beloved ones are well too.
Hats off indeed, i tried this and every thing that could snag did indeed snag. I can get myself in 'riding the tail end' but no way can i do it if there's any chop.. I'll try this side approach you show. Looks real easy hahaa! Great filming, keep going!
Hi there, thank you for watching and commenting. Have a try, the first times on flat water will be a bit shaky, so make sure that you do all the movement very slow. That way you will get a feel on how the boat behaves. After that you can try to beat your previous time and if that is succefull, then go for a bit choppier conditions. And don't forget to have fun! :-) Cheers, Dimitri
Awesome vid Dimitri and great tips keep up the Great work 👍👍👍👍
Hi Elliot! Thanks for the compliment and for watching our videos. A big hug from the Belgian West Coast! Cheers, Dimitri
Love watching you're videos. Learning alot from them 👍👍👍
Wow...you made that look all too easy! I had to go back and watch again to check for cuts in the edit to see if you took a breather. I would have been gassed at 30 seconds. Guess it's time to practice. Really great ideas for practicing, thanks!
Let us know how it goes! Have fun!😊👍👌
Hey , thanks for the video , awesome training , its all about balance . i passed your video link to a kayaking fun 2018 group . I will be trying some of these things out this year. .... thumbs up
Hi Klaus, So great to hear, and thank you for sharing (both the video, as the sea kayak vibe)! :-) It's a great drill and you will see that everybody in your group can do it after some training. If it's succesfull, then try it in the circumstances you paddle in. Have fun! Cheers, Dimitri
Hi Dimitri and Sylvie.I took basic course In kayaking and introduction to self-rescuing like you do here now this weekend.How i feel now? sore muscles and exhausted.But..wow how fun it is.Cheers,Kjetil (Norway)
Hi Kjetil, So nice to hear how you are doing with the rescue techniques. Well done!! Keep on training and have fun. All the best! Dimitri & Sylvie 😊👌👍
These are very nice balancing exercises. One should, indeed, practice them to improve balance and flexibility. However, I think there is a reason why we never see videos of any kayaker doing this type of self-rescue in conditions rough enough to knock them over, much loess rough enough to make them come out of their boat.
Jon Cons, former ACA certified Coastal Kayaking Instructor.
Hello Jon, Thanks for your kind reaction! Yes, this helps us, and a lot of others, perform a swift cowboy-scramble self-rescue. Balance and timing is everything when out there in rough conditions.👌😊 Cheers!
@@Northseakayak The question I am raising is: can YOU at your skill level perform a cowboy scramble self-rescue in conditions big enough to knock YOU over? Especially, can you do it after fighting to stay upright, having your roll fail and wet exiting the boat at which time you are, almost by definition, a bit disoriented? At your skill level, I would presume the conditions under which you would come out of your boat would be horrific. Could you do do this self-rescue at that time? A paddle-float re-entry and roll can compensate for a lot of disorientation and flawed trolling technique. It then gives you a much more stable platform to get your spray deck on and pump out the water from the cockpit.
@@judithcons7695 hmmm.... difficult to answer that. On the water, it is never black or white. I don't believe in so called bomb proof rolls, neither in other rescues. Everything can fail if conditions are totally against you. That is why we train on several rescue techniques, including rolling, re-entry and roll and self-rescues with and without paddle float. In breaking surf (see conditions in Schipgat series) I will choose the re-entry and roll but without pumping out. In force 7 but open sea (see our The Run series) I perform the cowboy-scramble. No need to grab a pump as I empty the kayak before climbing in. As for that, I don't believe in pumping out in the really rough stuff. In our team we train on doing or trying a self-rescue 3 times tops before calling for help. First times mostly without paddle-float, third time with paddle-float. If that doesn't work after 3 times and exhaustion kicks in: call for help. Never had to do that before myself so I manage to perform a solid self-rescue in the conditions I paddle in. Let's hope it stays that way. Hope this is an answer to your question? Cheers!😊👌
@@Northseakayak Thanks for taking all that time. We both have obviously thought about this over the years, in my case (I’m 75) a lot of years. I just worry that variations on the cowboy-scramble type of rescue are what I see more of these days. It has the advantage of not having to fool with extra equipment, which the paddler may not have or may lose when everything is going wrong. Also, because there is no extra equipment, it is simpler to teach. A paddle float type of rescue may be more reliable for the novice, who is most likely to find themselves in the water unexpectedly, which is why I still think it should be taught first.
Thanks for the video. It’s exactly what I needed to see! Do you think it’s easier to get back in the kayak with or without the PFD on?
Glad you like it! It is theoretically easier without PFD.... but: dangerous as well! As a (sea) kayaker you should always wear your PFD, and thus train with it. Best of luck, and have fun!
Great examples, well shot and oh man do you make that look easy. For anyone who never tried...it isn't. Awesome skill level to achieve though.
Hi, Yes, this needs training... but have a try. It will pay off, better agility and safety. And it's fun if you are dressed for immersion.😊👌
@@Northseakayak Oh absolutely and I admire the skill, my fitness just sucks hahah. Core strength really helps with this stuff.
NIce video...I would have liked to see a paddle tether.
Cheers John! When I'm alone at open water I do use a short tether between myself and my kayak, and I carry a spare paddle as well. 😊👌👍
It is very difficult to just scramble onto the deck , more so without the float at the end BUT i did notice he used both legs as one big kick to propel himself up and over. That may help.One more detail to practice. Thanks!
You're welcome! If you find it too difficult to scramble on the back deck right behind the cockpit, maybe you should move a bit to the rear. The kayak is less wide and for some people better to scramble onto the deck. It is a bit in between cowboy-scramble and the ladder technique. Hope this helps? And training, lot's of training! Have fun!😊💪👌
Hi Dimitri, very good Training idea I'll start with it in the springtime.
Merry Christmas to you and your Family and a good jump into the New Year.
Greetings Steppe
A healthy and sporty New Year to you to ! Let us know how training works for you? Cheers, Dimitri
feliz navidad muy buen video.
Thank you Osvaldo! Merry Christmas! Dimitri
Great skill and all without making your hair wet! Merry Xmas and happy 2018.
Hi there! Thanks for the compliments, just went back from the hairdresser, so couldn't affort to get my "coifure" all wet again! :-D Have a good and healthy New year! Dimitri
Fantastic! Where are you located?
Thank you for posting this! Great display of skill and you managed to capture som very important details nicely on camera too. Would it be okay to use this video to show to my own kayak "students"? I find many beginners struggle with getting frem the water onto the rear deck, and you capture the patience, floating feet and explosive move from water to deck really well here. Much more so than is practical with a group of new paddlers within a reasonable time frame. Once again thank you for taking the time to make these videos /Søren
Hi Soren! You're welcome, and thank you as well!! Yes, please, feel free to use this. Consider it shareware! Please mention about us to your students? Greetings!!
@@Northseakayak Great, I will make sure to mention you! :)
Good video, i have been watching that RNLI program and kayakers often on the program for wrong reasons . Padling alone, not able to get back on kayak ? And kayaking in conditions way above their skillset. Never done kayaking it looks great , it is obviously a hobby that requires good skills as sea is dangerous and cold ! :)
Yes, you are absolutely right. That is why we build up our skills, in the conditions we paddle in. There can Always happen something, but that is in every sport... Every trip we do, we train on rescues and other skills, no exceptions. Thank you for watching and commenting! Cheers, Dimitri
Thanks for the video, one question, what kind or brand of kayak is he using ?
You're welcome! I'm using a P&H Cetus MV in expedition kevlar-carbon infusion lay-up. 😊👌
Thanks for the great video! Is this method good when there are waves or it's more stable to go for the other technic when you crouch (belly against the kayak) and bring your legs in the cockpit and then pivote to sit in it (don't know if my explanations are clear) ?
Hi, and thank you! Yes it works on rough seas as well. It will become difficult in surf conditions, where I would opt re-entry and roll. This self rescue works in the conditions we filmed the series "The Run", to be seen on our channel. Cheers!
Thank you for sharing this. I wanted to inquire about what us the best clothing to wear when kayaking in cold weather. I worry about tipping and not being able to stay warm. What brands so you like? I am a plus sized woman. Generally kayak with my dog.
Hi Beth, Always make sure your clothing is adjusted to the water temperature, that is the mist important rule. Wheter you use a wet or a dry suit, field test it in a safe environment to see if it is sufficient. In the video, water temperature is only about 5°C, so I'm wearing a few base layers underneath my dry suit. I'm using TYPHOON dry suits as the are high quality, yet affordable. All the best!😊👍
Mooie video! Is er ook een merkbaar verschil tussen de Cetus en de Scorpio met deze oefeningen?
Dankjewel Jeffrey. Nee er is geen echt merkbaar verschil bij deze oefeningen tussen beide boten. De Cetus is zo wat het composiet broertje van de Scorpio. Doordat ie wat langer en smaller is, is ie een klein tikkeltje sneller. Het verschil in breedte is echter voor dergelijke oefeningen verwaarloosbaar. Veel plezier! Dimitri
It would be interesting to see this in real circumstances when your leg does not touch the ground and when there is choppy water. Unfortunately all these rescue videos show calm waters where I would not capsize and where it would be easy to re-enter the kayak. I would like to see what technique is needed in difficult circumstences where I will really need it.
Have a look at this video at 7min10sec.... ruclips.net/video/EH2q6zHVfJo/видео.html
Reason for this, filming in calm water for instructional purpose is easy to show details. Please understand that we are not a professional film crew and that we do our best to share our knowledge via this way. Cheers!👌😊
heer olso , wher is the safty-line for the padel ??
We don't use a paddle leash, we do use a safety line when op open water in rougher conditions. Personal choice of course. Cheers!
I'm baffled about how you can sit in the cockpit and get your feet out? Can you share how long your cockpit is? Maybe also share your inseam length and shoe size. I have to get on the back deck first and then get my feet out. It is really tippy on the back deck while me feet are still in the boat, so I'm looking to do it your way.
Hi Frank, Cockpit is 80cm. Shoe size is EU41. Check if seat is not positioned to far to the front. If you cannot perform this rescue due to smaller cockpit, or any other reason for that matter, I would reccommend the heel hook self-rescue with paddle-float. Works every time if trained enough. Hope this helps?
You are able to get your legs in and out of your cockpit very easily. I find it a real struggle, maybe my boat is too small..?
Hi! You're not the first, it is the cockpit itself that is too small for you. When buying a sea kayak, it's best to try this out. That way you are sure about the cockpit-size. It has nothing to do with the overall size of the boat. So don't buy a HV model just for that. Look for a brand that has a larger cockpit-opening. Cheers!👍👌
What stretching do you do to obtain this flexibility? Great video.
Hello Beth? I do moderate stretching every now and then, mostly after running sessions, which helps a lot for this kind of practice!👍😊
Just curious, why wouldn't you have a paddle leash handy?
Hi Greg, Good question!😊👌 We used a paddle leash during the first years. Then we saw that it was sometimes more in the way, and we always train wet exits while holding the paddle with one hand, and the kayak with the other hand. If you use one, check and try where it fits best: on the PFD or connected to your boat. We are not against the use of a paddle leash, we consider it a personal choice. All the best!😁👍
This guy's obviously very fit. I'd be done for after all that!
I consider that as a compliment! 😉 But indeed, it take some energy but it's important you can do this in the conditions you paddle in. Have fun! Cheers, Dimitri 👍👌
I need a whole Lotta hep with flexibility. My yak is a 1984 recreational boat and very wide. I will aspire to being this fit. Great stuff.
Will says, 'Keep practising. You will get better. See you next year. Hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas.'
Hahahaa, give the grumpy man a big hug from us, and you too! Merry Christmas and a good and healthy 2018!! Dimitri & Sylvie
What if its windy and your kayak takes off on you? Your paddle is gone and kayak is moving away?
You're relying on your vest to keep you up & alive.
Should a tether of a sort be attached? Or is that just another way to drowned if you get tangled?
Hi Jill, We are an advocate for short tethers between paddler and kayak during the rougher conditions. However, this is to be sure not to loose your kayak right after the capsize and wet exiting. Once there, we detach in order to empty the boat. In rough conditions, we will keep paddle and boat together for this. A longer line can entangle you. So, we need to make choices. If you prefer a re-entry and roll, then the short tether can stay put. Choices, and knowing what you're doing is key. Cheers!👌😊
How do you lift the bow and not end up with your head under the water when I try I go under and loose lifting power
Good question, and you cannot see it in the video: kicking with your feet/legs! In rough conditions my heads also goes under for a seconds, so no worries . It will become a habit when you keep training. Good job!😊👍
@@Northseakayak OK thanks for the reply I'll keep trying👍
Does a carbon fibre paddle float?
Hello Jay, Yes, this VE floats, no worries. 👍😊
How about trying that in kayak that has a more traditional sized opening. In my Cape Horn you can't get your legs without first getting out of the seat plus it is a far narrower boat.
One of our team members has such a kayak and he trained specifically on the heel hook self rescue with paddle-float. Re-entry and roll is also an option. Have a look, and have fun!😊👌
ruclips.net/video/_LLNATL6BdQ/видео.html
Thank you! Watched linked video and will practice.
How can you use the paddle to help you lift the kayak to break the seal and empty the cockpit from water?
Hi Karl, Give the kayak a small twitch to one of the sides so air can flow into the cockpit. Then it will be easier to lift. Good question! Cheers! Dimitri
Hi Dimitri, I successfully performed the capsized drill as you advised. I flooded and capsized the boat in the sea under training conditions. Twitched the capsized boat to one side, followed by an upward move and rotation to bring the boat afloat draining about 80% of the water in the cockpit emptying the kayak from the water and rendering it more stable. This is followed by the cowboy drill to re-enter the cockpit. Thank you once again for your excellent videos and advice.
Oh so great to hear that kind of feed-back!! Always good to hear that there are other paddlers that train on those techniques, makes you a lot more comfortable when paddling in the rougher conditions. All the best! Cheers, Dimitri
Great video but good luck trying to lift your kayak to drain it in swell 😂, safe paddle guys
Thank you Liam! It works in swell, but with training and timing.
Thanks again for this one too. It looks easy when your are doing, but....And thanks for doing in english, my flamish is not good at allHappy Christmas
You're welcome. We do our videos in English for a few years now, because someone asked for it. That way we can reach a larger group. The more you do this drill, the easier it gets, for sure! :-) Cheers, Dimitri
My paddle always strap to kayak,I dangerous?
Hi Tomek, I used to tether my paddle with a paddle leash. I stopped doing that because no I can use my paddle more freely when doing self rescues. In this case there is no good and wrong, it's more a matter of personal prefference. So I would advise you to do what feels best. Cheers, Dimitri
большое спасибо за урок, думаю, он мне пригодится
You're welcome! It certainly will come in handy and it's fun to do this with a couple of friends. We're always enjoying those moments with the team members, lots of laughter! :-)
Your lessons help me a lot in preparation for the big expedition. Used kayak, sea kayak now. When he sat for the first time, was sure
damn Ive got a lot to learn and practice . I need to rewire my brqin to get its balance back again after perforating my eardrum
Augh, sorry to hear that. Hope you will be all right!😊👍
@@Northseakayak yep I will be fine thanks . i just ned to practice to get my balance back . I noticed last time i went paddling my ballence was getting better . so it should just be a matter of time and practice
what kayak mark-model?
Hi! This is a P&H Cetus MV, expedition kevlar-carbon lay-up. Cheers!👌😊
@@Northseakayak thanks, Cheers!👌😊
d what boots are you wearing? bro
Me and Sylvie are using the MAgic Marine Ultimate boot with a zipper. Perfect when going in and out with dry suit socks. Here you can find the details; Cheers, Dimitri www.magicmarine.com/product/footwear/ultimate-boot/
Hello, nice training, It's time to develop solar water pump !
Yeah, that would be an inventive idea! :-D :-) Cheers, Dimitri
how fun!
Cheers! Have a try! 😊👌
I physically cannot get my legs out and in the cockpit like that guy can. I have to lean back and hold on to the rear of my cockpit. Pretty much all kayaks are the same for me. Maybe my legs are too long ...
Hi D.Allan, have you checked if you have the right size of boat/cockpit? If you have a keyhole cockpit than you should be able to perform this kind of action. If so, maybe do some agility training (I'm doing this on a regular base). I hope this helps? Best of luck, have fun on the water! Dimitri
NORTHSEAKAYAK I’m definitely lacking in the flexibility department so I’m working on it. I pretty sure it’s the correct size although there isn’t much clearance. It’s fine sitting on the shore doing that when the boat is braced but as you say, you need the flexibility and core strength to do it when the boat is in water. Cheers, subscribed !
Happy xmas!
Merry Christmas Richie, we wish you also lots of quality time on the water the coming year!! Dimitri
But what if you’re just not that strong as he is?
Hi! If one does not have the stenght to lift the kayak (emptying), you will need to pump out the remaining water once seated. This is also the case with a fully laden kayak. Hope this helps? You can see the pumping in our video "Paddle-float self-rescue". Close the spraydeck and leave a small gap for the pump. All the best! Please let us know how it goes.😊💦💪👌
@@Northseakayak I go out in my kayak all the time. I love it out there and I live in a kayakers paradise so all I want to do is get out on the water. I have no interest in any other kind of boat. But I'm a 68 yr old female and not confident of my ability to self rescue. I've managed it twice but with great difficulty and in calm water. I carry a locator beacon. As soon as the weather warms up a bit more (it's winter here) I hope to practice self-rescue until I get better at it but its hard to learn new tricks at my age. I keep looking at videos like yours to help me learn what I need to practice. You are an inspiration.
I am very careful not to fall out of my boat but I know it will happen some time so I'm determined to learn. I did fall out once coming ashore in surf but as it was a beach no need to self rescue.
Today I paddled alone again and sometimes I think I must be crazy but I just love the fact that at any time out there I could meet up with wildlife. Today it was a big stingray. A week or so back I was in my double kayak with a friend and a big pod of wild bottlenose dolphins took us in their slipstream and towed us miles off course. It took hours to paddle home again. My young crew was tired from a head injury so I had to do a bigger share of the paddling. I was shattered by the time we got in, but I wouldn't have missed that amazing experience for anything.
BTW I see a boat behind you with RNZYS. That's the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Did you film it here in New Zealand? Or has that boat sailed to the Northern hemisphere?
Hi Tui, So great to hear your story. Must say that I put my hat of for people like yourself, always eagar to learn no matter what the age is. Our "oldest" team member has turned 72, and he still loves beeing in the water, even if he strugles with his rescue techniques. That boat that you saw must have sailed here, we filmed in Nieuwpoort harbor which is in Belgium, Europe. All the best, have fun and be safe!😊👌💪
I just cannot get my legs in or out my boat like that
Hi Allan, Is it because your cockpit is too small, or because it's physical impossible?
@@Northseakayak I just realised I commented on this last year ! Yes, I think it’s because the cockpit is a bit short, I’m not very flexible and the seat leans me back a bit
@@DAllan-lz3lg ah, yes indeed, that can be the problem. When one buys a kayak, make sure to ha e a seat in it. Then try to get legs in and out whilst sat. That way you're sure that a self-rescue isn't a problem. Happy paddling!! And if your cockpit is small, try rolling or the paddle float self rescue (heel-hook). Cheers!👍😊
@@Northseakayak Can you link the videos to those types of exercises and re-entry? My seatback is pretty high. I can not lift myself over it at this time. Our lake bottom is like quicksand. We had a fellow drown after sinking in it and unable to extricate himself from the reeds.
@@Northseakayak How do you not get water up your nose while rolling? I fail every time.
Another tip for success: Don't be overweight and don't be out of shape, or these techniques will be MUCH harder.
Yes indeed, but that is for a lot of sports the same.👌😊
@@Northseakayak True. Excellent video.
You've hired Tom Cruze? =)
Haha, you are doing me too much honour! But thank you!
He never cleared the air out of the drysuit😂
First thing I do, but it's never all gone. 😁👌
It's all fun and games until you try it with a size 13 shoe. :(
Hi there, so sorry to hear. Are you sure you have the right size of boat/cockpit for you? Maybe that is where the problem is.... Have fun and be safe! Cheers, Dimitri
@@Northseakayak I have several kayaks. The cockpit size doesn't tend to block a size 13 foot, but the clearance between the deck and the bilge does. My primary sea kayaks are an Epic 18x and a CLC 17.
I can manage self-rescues and rolls in both, but my toes have to be pretty pointed to clear. Once I'm in wearing a shoe with any volume, my feet get pinned.
I still manage to complete a couple of 500 km trips a year, but i never manage to get in and out with the same grace as someone with smaller feet.
очень устойчивый каяк, на других моделях так не прокатит
good bro
Thanks! :-)
God film... og god inspiration.🇩🇰
im on shrooms watchign this like what the fuck is this guy doing just sit down and chill
Easy when your built like an Olympian.
Haha, I'm certainly not an Olympian! I wish I was! But this should work, with enough training. Have fun!
Pointless in calm water
Wouldn't be so sure ... It's a great balance exercise, also to get to know your boat's behaviour better. And we do this up to force 7 in open sea.