The only way to know if your self rescue is actually going to work in real life conditions is to practice a LOT. Through endless repetition in all kinds of conditions you figure out what works and what doesn’t and solve all the little problems BEFORE you discover them in real life emergency. My latest rescue takes advantage of two 4 inch diameter solid pool noodles lashed to the inside of the frame. Not only does this give me enough flotation to make the boat essentially self dumping but it gives me the perfect hand hold to jump back in the canoe. The only downside is that it works so well that there’s a real risk of losing the boat to the wind before I can grab it. To deal with this I’ve added to short tether to my dry duffel and the minute I capsize I thread my arm through the strap leaving both hands free to complete the rescue. It’s taken about five months of experimentation, but I’m down to about 30 seconds from capsize to being back in the boat paddling which makes this lifelong kayaker feel a little bit less queasy about going canoeing!
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