How To Recover From a Kayak Capsize

And while a capsize is never Plan A, knowing how to capably deal with one is a key to keeping you safe, and sustaining your interest in paddling. Eventually, you’ll want to learn how to execute a solid Eskimo roll—having one in your skill arsenal is the best way to recover from a capsized kayak. But the advanced self-rescue technique takes a while to master. Luckily, there are a few other tricks to getting back in your boat safely. (Don’t forget that to pull off any of the following self-rescue techniques, you’ll need to be wearing a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD, as well as paddling layers that can keep your body warm enough for sustained time immersed and active in the water.)

Capsizing With a Sit-on-Top Kayak

If you tip over while paddling a sit-on-top kayak (plastic or inflatable), recovery is easy. Flip your boat back upright, grab any gear that may have fallen out, and then swim to the boat’s middle and grab onto the side. Using the buoyancy of your PFD, dunk down into the water and then, scissor-kicking with your feet so that they rise to the surface behind you, mount yourself prone onto the boat, reaching to the far side for stability. Let your legs continue to float to the surface behind you so you’re lying flat in the middle of the kayak. Once stable, roll your body around so your butt slides into the seat and then swing your legs inside.  

Capsizing With a Sit-Inside Kayak

For touring (sea) kayaks and other recreational craft with a (sit-inside) cockpit, climbing back on board is a little trickier. Below are a few hints to make the process easier.  

1. How To Wet-Exit: Contrary to popular belief, getting out of your kayak is easy. If you’re in a rec or touring kayak without a spray skirt, “kiss” the cockpit by leaning your head forward and then put your hands at the boat’s sides to push yourself out into a somersault. If you’re wearing a spray skirt, reach forward to pull the grab loop (which should always be out and accessible) and then somersault out using the same technique. Hint: Don’t worry about your paddle; you’ll find it after you reach the surface.   
   
2. Climbing in Alone: If you capsize while paddling solo, the first thing to do is take a deep breath, relax and assess the situation. If you’re close to shore, swim your upside-down kayak back to land, drain and climb back in. If you’re away from shore, flip your boat back over by reaching underwater and grabbing the far cockpit rim with one hand and the close rim with the other. Pull the far rim toward you and the close one away to flip the boat back upright.  
   
3. Getting in: Position yourself just behind the cockpit along the side of your boat. Kick your legs so they float to the surface behind you, reach across to the far cockpit rim and pull yourself onto the stern until you’re laying across it, keeping your weight and center of gravity low. Staying low, swing one leg over the hull to the other side of the kayak so you’re lying face-down along the back deck, straddling the kayak and facing the bow. Pull yourself forward until you can sit up and slide your rear end into the seat. Use your paddle as a brace if needed to slide your legs in one at a time.
   
4. Alternate Techniques: Using the same kicking method to get flat on the deck, turn on your stomach toward the boat’s stern and then slide both legs into the cockpit, thighs down; from there, twist or corkscrew your body around 180 degrees until you’re seated. Other Option: Using the same kicking method, spin your body once you’re flat on the deck so your rear falls side-saddle into your seat; from there, rotate a quarter-turn to slide your legs inside. Once inside, use a bilge pump to pump out the water inside the cockpit.

What To Do if Your Partner Capsizes

If you’re paddling in two separate kayaks and your partner swims, lend a hand by pulling the overturned kayak perpendicular over your cockpit and tipping it back and forth to drain (it helps if you’re wearing a spray skirt, and if your partner’s kayak has grab loops and deck rigging to help hoist if from water level). Then flip it over and position it upright in the water, stabilizing it from the side as the swimmer climbs back in using the techniques above. 

Recovering With a Tandem Kayak

To climb back inside a tandem kayak, use the same techniques outlined above, with your partner helping to stabilize the boat. First, flip it back upright by going to opposite sides and having one paddler push up by their cockpit and the other pulling it over the rest of the way. Once upright, store your paddles under the deck rigging to free up your hands. With the other paddler offers counterbalance from the opposite side, have the rear paddler climb back in first so he or she can watch the second paddler re-enter. Another way to stabilize the kayak is to hang on to the bow and wrap your feet up around the hull while your partner climbs back in. Next, have the bow paddler perform his or her re-entry while the stern paddler uses his or her paddle to brace for support.

Safety Extras

Equipment like slings and paddle floats can also help you re-enter your kayak. 

Using a Paddle Float

Stowing in or on top of your kayak until needed, paddle floats come in a variety of styles, from inflatables to foam, all designed to help you climb back inside your kayak. To use, slide your paddle blade into the float’s pocket (inflate if necessary) and secure it by its fastening system. (Hint: Hook a leg inside your cockpit to free up your hands.) Next, move just behind the cockpit and use the float end to create a perpendicular outrigger to brace against as you climb back on. Holding the paddle shaft and stern cockpit coaming together with one hand, with the float in the water, kick your legs to the surface and slide on as outlined above, leaning into your paddle float for stability. You can also slide the blade without the float into deck rigging to help secure it. Hint: Hook your foot over the paddle shaft in front of the float for additional support. Use any of the techniques above to slide into the cockpit.  

Stirrups and Slings

A sling or stirrup can also be used in conjunction with a paddle float to create a loop you can step on to help climb back inside. To do so, once your paddle float is secure, loop one end of your sling around the far blade (the end opposite the float), and then run it under the hull and up and over the shaft on the float end to create a stirrup. Note: Measure it out beforehand, or loop it around the shaft by the float a few times until the loop is at the right depth, so your knee reaches the surface when stepping on it.

Bilge Pump

Most touring kayaks have hatches with bulkheads, aiding flotation; the only water will be in your cockpit. But always pack a bilge pump—and keep it handy, often in the deck rigging—as part of your safety kit. Once you’re back inside your kayak, place one end of the hand-pump in the water, aim the nozzle overboard, and start pumping.

All articles are for general informational purposes.  Each individual’s needs, preferences, goals and abilities may vary.  Be sure to obtain all appropriate training, expert supervision and/or medical advice before engaging in strenuous or potentially hazardous activity.