I want to take a quick break from the Greenland kayak to put up this self rescue video for a couple customers who just picked up brand new F1’s (hey Nick and David!).
I’ll start with the caveat that I’m not a big fan of any kayak rescue, because people vastly overestimate their reliability in real world situations. Using good judgment and not getting into dangerous situations in the first place is my preferred safety strategy.
Now having said that, it’s good to have as many tools in the toolbox as possible, and most of the standard sea kayak rescue techniques applies here with some modifications to compensate for the lack of bulkheads in a skin on frame kayak. It’s a complex topic and what strategies you decide to pursue and practice depends on the conditions you’re paddling in, whether you’re paddling loaded or unloaded, and whether you’re paddling alone or with partners.
What I’m demonstrating here is a super fast dewatering and re-entry technique that works with kayaks up to 35 pounds if you’re wearing a high buoyancy PFD, or 45 pounds if you have the additional buoyancy of a dry suit.
First I grab the boat and hold it upside down or right side up so the wind doesn’t take it and it doesn’t fill with more water. Next I turn it on its side and I find the balance point and push the kayak up until all the water drains out of the cockpit. I’m being sloppy here but if you do this carefully you can get all the water out of a fully flooded boat in seven seconds. Next I’m just doing a simple ladder re-entry FOCUSING ON THE PADDLE NOT THE BOAT. As long as the paddle is underwater and sculling it might as well be planted in concrete. Once I’m in I can shift my focus to the boat, using the paddle as a stabilizer under the front deck lines, and seal my spray skirt making sure to keep the grab loop out.
In case you’re wondering, this will work in moderately rough water but just like any rescue you have to practice in those conditions frequently. It took me 15 years to actually need this in a real world scenario, but it saved my life when I did.
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