How to Get In and Out of an Oru Kayak

Hi, I'm Steph! Today I'm kayaking with my mom and we are in the Oru Kayak Inlet and Lake. I will share how I get in and out of my Oru Kayak from a dock and sandy shore. My mom, who is an older adult at 68, will also show how she gets in and out of her Oru Kayak from the same launch points.
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[@margaretwilliams2930]

Thanks, just got my oru lake and as an older person it was nice to see your mom demonstrate in and out. I feel much more confident about trying!

[@williamborodati4564]

Also thank ur mom for demonstrating an older persons perspective

[@smkauthor]

Will do!

[@eyeamtheandyman]

Great video. One thing to note, if just for your peace of mind, is that carbon fiber is not fragile at all. In fact it's much stronger than any other material that paddles are made of. They feel fragile because of how light they are, but you can be confident that they'll stand up to regular use and mild abuse much better than most paddles without needing to baby them. That being said, I agree that it's still probably best not to push off with them.

[@stevedigre6467]

This is great. I like that you showed the multiple techniques, and the bail sponge too, especially for the Oru 'boxing' is very helpful.

[@richwallick8671]

Hi Steph, I just found your site as my wife and I are looking at getting Oru and discovered your videos. Thank you for doing a great job!! I especially appreciate your mom's demonstrations as we are both over 70. Keep up the great work. I'm looking forward to seeing your greyhound videos as we are dog lovers and used to adopt rescued dogs.

[@jayspot4]

Your mom laughing after you said: just get your frickin’ feet into the water 💦 had me laughing out loud 😆

[@smkauthor]

She still laughs when she sees that part in the video! 😆

[@marytetreault8168]

Very helpful video -- thank you!! Your kayaks are wide enough that they don't seem prone to being as tippy as long, narrow ones. Every little bit helps. ;-) I am 65, so I was most interested in seeing women do these dock entries and exits, paddlers that may have less shoulder strength than men. And seeing an older woman's technique was especially helpful. Thanks again.

[@michaelwenderlich2800]

Great demonstrations! ❤

[@gaelgraysen8158]

This was a magnificent video! Thank you!!!!

[@user-pp3rz2dh5j]

Great video

[@artblackwood7936]

Thanks for these vids. You are a part of the reason I bought two inlets. One for me and one for my daughter.

[@smkauthor]

That's awesome! Hope you have some great paddles together!

[@Jadeedoll]

So helpful. Thanks a bunch

[@MARKLINMAN1]

Love your channel and TIPS, I cant wait to get my FIRST ORU, something tells me i will order 2, the BEACH LT and the INLET so that when friends come over i can lend them one to experience KAYAKING. Thank you for these great TIPS.

[@ilovetotri23]

Thanks!

[@melchurch3019]

Very helpful review. I weigh 200# so think I would still go with the Inlet if I want to do some camping and need to carry equipment. Thanks.

[@joshuamoore4560]

Thank you Steph for making these videos. I know it takes a lot of time and effort, but they are very well done and useful. I'm happy to know that I'm not doing anything wrong with my entry/exit with my Beach LT! Happy paddling!

[@smkauthor]

You're welcome! Glad they are helpful!

[@meggers461]

I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Your explanations are great but my kayak moves & rocks way more than yours seems to when I'm trying to get out

[@kurtbaier6122]

Thanks

[@parnold-mora8924]

Great video especially for those of us with mobility issues. Thank you for posting! However, I have one suggestion. Check out Oru Kayak's How-to videos "Getting In and Out". Instead of picking up the entire weight of kayak by holding onto the side, just grab one end of the kayak by the handle and gently slip it into the water (Oru says "just let the kayak be a boat and gently rock it into the water"). It's faster, safer and easier on your back than picking up the entire 20 lb. boat. It works really well especially if there is any kind of wind.

[@smkauthor]

I have seen that video and have tried that. It has never worked for me, especially on a taller dock. It seems to scrap the bottom of the Oru and is hard to maneuver for me.

[@kevinwaters-marsh217]

Thanks Steph, you're our No. 1 kayaking channel. We just bought an Oru Inlet so learning from you. Thank you. Take care.

[@smkauthor]

Thanks so much! Happy paddling!

[@riversandcoffee]

Great video...awesome information, you guys are really fun to watch...thanks✌

[@smkauthor]

Thanks!

[@jaltman0]

Thank you for such clear explanations. I find all of your videos helpful and practical. I like your bouyancy vest very much. Who is the manufacturer? Also, I have many problems with the seat on the Inlet. The tab at the bottom where it inserts into the base has broken and I have replaced the seat. Is this a design flaw? The tab on the second seat is starting to fail now. Do you have any suggestions about an alternative seat? Thank you again for your excellent reviews.

[@smkauthor]

NRS Odyssey Lifejacket: amzn.to/3c97AYo. I'm not sure about the seat issue, I haven't had it happen.

[@VictorElGreco]

A man-made ramp (cement or other) may hopefully be steeper than a sand embankment so you don’t get stuck. 😅

[@juankaramirez]

Very helpful video! Have you used your Oru in a river? I'm concerned with the durability of the Oru in shallow sections of the river. Thanks

[@smkauthor]

I have. I have not had any issues in shallow waters. But I always try to be careful of not hitting branches and things in the water. I have hit a few things, and gotten some scratched but nothing major.

[@juankaramirez]

@@smkauthor Thank you!

[@vanlu5102]

Hi Steph. Very helpful to watch your clips. Please tell me where to get your hat. Thanks

[@smkauthor]

Sunday Afternoons Women's Shade Hat: amzn.to/3MFd75O

[@CreachterZ]

How many times did you flip before you perfected those moves? ;)

[@smkauthor]

0

[@CreachterZ]

@@smkauthor Impressive! I’m sure I’m going to bust it a few times.

[@joelelias2556]

Have you ever tried standing while paddling in it?

[@smkauthor]

In the Oru? No

[@shikarisahib6054]

@@smkauthor Why would you want to?

[@cu3714]

Thank you for this video but your mom is NOT representative of an older aldult ,-) she is fit and slim :-) I am approx 60 years and a bit over weight. Getting into the inlet is okay but getting out….. I am still working on the most optimal method ….

[@smkauthor]

I do have a friend that has trouble getting out on her own. We have found that I can help pull her out by locking arms by holding at the wrists and this helps give leverage for her to get out.

[@sabinahavkins5933]

Great video Steph…..and as a 68 yo I now have multiple options..