How to Launch and Land a Drone from a Kayak, Canoe or SUP

[@christophertran8896]

So glad you made this video because am just getting into kayaking and am thinking of utilizing my drones which apparently include all the fears that naturally accompanied mainly water, wind and batteries power. After watching your video I realized I could use 3-6 more batteries for trip. I will get smaller memory cards and changed them more often. Keep up the great work.

[@bikin_n_dronin]

Great video. A few additional tips. 1) you can disable the downward sensor to make the hand catch a bit easier over the water 2) configure the return location to the drone controller - this way if you lose signal it’ll come back to you and 3) you may want to consider skids/floats. It won’t totally avoid prevent water damage if you have to do a forced landing in the water, but you’ll have the drone back to exchange for water damage under the DJI Care policy. Happy flying!

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks for the additions!

[@Pietjo5]

Hyped for more from this trip

[@RFStarkJapan]

I've used one of those fold-up landing pads that gives me a larger area on the forward deck to work with. Before I go out I always plan alternate landing sites ashore. Just make sure you don't use "return to home" or it'll land in the water for sure!

[@big_red_machine3547]

What about some kind of platform for landing and or carrying/launching RC boats and drones from the kayak? I’m trying to engineer something for that stuff

[@gradyrm237]

Beautiful shots! Quick drone takeoff tip. Don't face the drone towards yourself. It complicates left and right. Face the gimbel away from you. It keeps the correct orientation if you need to make a quick maneuver.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks for the tip!

[@barry4fish]

I read the comments, but most other drone videos I have seen done by kayakers, they are on land filming the location they paddled to, not operating the drone while paddling. Too much going on at one time for me, but thanks for the enjoyable scenery!

[@jameshiggins-thomas9617]

I was curious how you were getting the shots from shore! Thanks for the "behind the scenes". Must say it seems a bit better and more versatile than the walking/climbing back hikes are doing for b-roll. (though drones wouldn't a good choice for more crowded or sensitive areas, of course).

[@anotherangleUK]

Thanks, brilliant footage. That's taking things to a different skill level as I find it hard to land my drone on a moving 14 boat. Well done, beautiful location.

[@PaddleTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@allencoin]

This video might have convinced me to get a drone for kayaking videos!

[@mikespies786]

The timing of this video was perfect! I tried my first drone launch yesterday and it was challenging. I launched from shore, got back in the boat and then set up my shots. That all went well, but, trying to hand-land while in the boat and away from my set home point did not! The drone did not seem to like the look of the landing pad (my hand) and kept jumping around which led to a low-battery panic-paddle back to shore where luckily I was able to get in down safely. Thanks for sharing your system- much appreciated.

[@ryostran]

That drone has a tracking feature too, so you can have the drone follow you while you paddle. Can get some cool shots that way!

[@flynorthproductions]

This is immensely helpful. The last time I attempted something like this I hit the controller while paddling and managed to disconnect it completely from the drone. The drone did its RTH thing but the landing area was on a small shoal and if not for me racing back to the home point it likely would have ended up in the water. Furthermore, my paddle kept dripping all over the controller which also made me nervous. I also managed to cut my finger on one of the spinning props on a previous occasion. Anyway, you made this look easy but full respect for your skills. 👍👍

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! I know that feeling... my adrenaline raced more on the entire trip when I was flying the drone, than any of the spicy paddling conditions! :) It's also why I always change cards after every flight. You just never know if you're going to get the drone back each time you put it in the air.

[@sonofcenarius28]

This was an awesome video. That paddle you were using looked awesome! Do you like the Scorpio more than your rödlöga?

[@PaddleTV]

That's a tough question... I wouldn't say that I like either better overall - it depends on the trip. The Scorpio was awesome for this trip. I wanted a big, rough water worthy plastic kayak, because I wasn't sure how rough/hard the launches and landings would be.

[@sonofcenarius28]

@@PaddleTV I see. They both look awesome and I would have loved a melker but they don't have any in the PNW yet. I got a current designs Karla recently and it has been a blast! Any chance you could ever review one of them?

[@ebenisterieartisanalefranc4668]

I have catch one bare hand as it was still flying to save it from the rouge river one day!! Nice vidéo with à real good technique !

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! Flying drones around rivers always results in good stories and close calls! :)

[@andycox0]

Thanks for sharing. I was doing something similar recently in a sea scenario. I left the drone ashore switched on and on a safe base, paddled out to flat water and then used the controller to take the drone off. When I was done I used RTH, bagged up the controller and was able to concentrate on beaching the kayak. A bit fiddly, but I think less risk of losing the drone. Actually flying the thing whilst afloat adds a lot of task loading. Want to play with active tracking next time and see if that helps. Probably not much use for your nice wide shots though...

[@PaddleTV]

Yup, this is a great technique if you have a good spot to launch/land. I was in a situation where there wasn't a good place to land, and I wasn't allowed to launch or land the drone from shore, because that was Provincial Park land.

[@LacticAcid672]

Cool video. I'm surprised they don't make a drone variant that is water tight and that floats - so it could take the occasional water landing. Would love to see a similar video to how you mount/operate your action camera(s) while kayaking. I just got my own action cam in part so I could tape my own (less impressive) trips on the water.

[@photomiqs7553]

Great video. I recomende a string around the neck to the controller so you not drop it in the water :)

[@eprohoda]

Paddletv! Yeah-unusual drone,

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Hi Ken, You won't know but I have another channel all about RC Models from Helicopter / Planes and Drones. I have been flying for over 30 years and I'm a fully licensed pilot and have posted many videos showing how to build and repair drones including race drone. However, I don't do much on that channel nowadays as I'm more in to my kayak channel. But I wanted to point out a couple of things you may find useful. Did you know you have a screen recorder on the Transmitter so if you ever did lose another you would still have the footage, and watching it back can even help you find the drone as you can see just where it went down (Obviously this wont help if you crash in the middle of the Ocean) Also if you fly to low to any water the sensors underneath the drone can get confused and simply land itself and I don't mean RTH I mean it will just drop in to the water. Anyway Ken a great video with some great information, like swopping out the SD Card. However you did forget to mention a drone is great for filming your kayak as it floats away down the river because you forgot to secure it !!! lol (SORRY)

[@PaddleTV]

Very cool to know! I know about the screen recording. Unfortunately it only provides a lower res version - not the 4K that I'm recording direct to the drones card. Better than nothing though!!! :) Great to know about the sensors and the water confusion! You needed to bring up the kayak floating away, didn't you!!! Ha!

[@HICSHICS]

I'm a certified drone operator and not sure about this video to be honest... Not keeping VLOS (visual line of sight) with your drone while it's in the air got me because that is unlawful in many region, unless you have specific permit. You even verbally instructed not to look at the drone or the controller while both hands are inherently occupied by kayak paddle. I mean,,, everyone does this kind of things at their own risk, but I'm not sure convincing viewers saying "dangerous but worth it." Sorry if I threw cold water on the hype, but I felt like someone should...

[@itotallycare]

That's honestly just silly. Looking at the drone and holding the controller would defeat the purpose of it... Literally every drone shot ever is the person pretending that the drone is not there. The tracking feature is literally meant to track you as if someone else is filming you. Besides what can happen if you don't look at it for 30 seconds while you pretend you are not filming yourself? It's not like you are going to leave it there and go 5 kilometers away.

[@HICSHICS]

@@itotallycare that is true, but that is the rule. Look up VLOS for drone operation. FAA for the US, or your local aviation/transportation website that describes UAV operations. The authorities don’t seriously enforce VLOS in real world, but it’s something drone operators need to follow. Not to spread the misleading information.

[@HICSHICS]

@@itotallycare I know it is, but that is the rule. Please look up VLOS in terms of drone operation. Check FAA or your local aviation / transportation authority. VLOS needs to be maintained at all times. Same goes to tracking during the flight, even though the drone is capable of it. If you do it, you need to apply for the specific flight style. Like when you fly really far, behind structures where you can't see the drone or use the tracking system. In reality, authorities don't eagerly enforce VLOS, so everyone does it. But that's the rule (law). And I got concerned that he is verbally instructing what operators shouldn't do, on a kayak, both hands occupied.

[@itotallycare]

@@HICSHICS Well then pretty much everyone using a drone is a criminal. Actually these rules, are they punishable by law? Like cops, fines and courts type of a thing? If not then I'm very much inclined to ignore them as they sound pretty ridiculous. Staring at the drone is just kind of what are you doing. And the drones themselves are clearly made for the type of filming that people are doing, hell many ads for them is of people using them this way! What's the thinking behind these rules? What's the risk if you don't stare at the thing the whole way? This reminds of the rules around ebikes a bit. Some countries have caught up but in many (like mine) they have no clue what to do with them. Most modern ebikes are made to actually be useful and to largely replace fuel driven vehicles (for short to medium length trips) but the rules say that we are not allowed to use them. Probably because they don't want to upset the oil industry. With the drones they might be worried that people will get too good at filming and make better stuff than the mainstream. I'm cynical and distrusting yes, but can you explain the motivation behind these rules?

[@HICSHICS]

@@itotallycare Believe me my friend, I feel the same lol. But this is one of the very first thing we learn at drone schools or safety courses. And yes, there is, as a matter of fact, fines setup for that. It's on the books and FAA website. It's kind of same as you need permission for night flights. It's for the safety, they say. So, all the amateur drone operators and ads are criminals? I didn't say that. They might have reported and got proper permissions and what not. Even if they didn't, it is too difficult to prove their flights were unlawful, just by seeing the footages. So, if you do that on your own and put aerial videos, that's cool too. But if you verbally state "Don't look at the drone. Don't look at the remote either" while you're on your own, you're technically suggesting things we should not do in public.

[@loganzmusic]

Does anyone know what the GoPro mounts on the rear of the kayak are?

[@markmorris8410]

Which drone do you use, Ken? Great video, but was hoping that the drone would be listed in the description.

[@Cerberus_xxiv_]

Looks like a DJI mini

[@PaddleTV]

I've listed it there now. It's the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

[@markmorris8410]

@@PaddleTV thank you, Ken! My wife and I are new to filming our outdoor adventures, so your expertise is definitely appreciated! Continued blessings.

[@PaddleTV]

@@markmorris8410 happy to help! Sorry in advance for the drone you will be losing :). Where can I see your videos??

[@markmorris8410]

@@PaddleTV hahaha! I'm sure of that! At our advanced age, we lose stuff all the time, so we're used to it. Nothing up yet, we've just getting our gear together. My wife is brand new to paddling, and most of my experience is from childhood through early adulthood when my three children were young. Now it's time to get the three grandchildren paddling. Prodigy XSs for Christmas! BTW, we're in NC, and are paddling the South Fork of the New River in September.

[@kenklontz1945]

Want a great place nice video

[@big_red_machine3547]

What about ideas for a kayak platform for drones, RC boats etc? I have been thinking of making a quick release track system platform for my RC boat and drone etc and wondering if anyone has come up with anything yet?

[@6yjjk]

Knowing my luck, I think I'll wait for a waterproof drone. Having said that, if someone makes a HoverAir X1 that can handle being over water, it seems simple enough that even I might risk it.

[@jwiereng]

1:28 Tell me about this backpack

[@PaddleTV]

Very cool new hydration pack from NRS, which connects seamlessly to the NRS PFD's. It's called the Swig Hydration Pack. Used it on this trip for the first time, and now I'll use it on every multi-day or big day trip. www.nrs.com/nrs-swig-pfd-hydration-pack/pb4w

[@martinmoss317]

I have a drone but what I didn't know when I bought are the huge flying restrictions in the US, Not allowed in National or State parks without special permission - large fines if caught.

[@PaddleTV]

Very true! Drones are not permitted in most park lands, unless you get a permit.

[@geschichteundreisen1154]

I have drone, but scare to much to start from kayak ☺️

[@gappleton8255]

I bought drone for this purpose, but living on Vancouver Island, I'm hard pressed to find a pretty area that isn't a Provincial Park or protected area where drones are illegal.

[@PaddleTV]

This is why I was launching and landing the drone from the water - because you can't launch or land from Provincial Park land. You can't launch or land from interior lakes either. If the body of water is completely surrounded by Park land, it's considered Park.

[@gappleton8255]

@@PaddleTV Thanks for your response! I never considered that the water around a Provincial Park island (for example) would not be considered to be in the park, but it makes sense. I'll have to practice my hand launches and landings with a bit of wind and bobbing and bouncing thrown in! LOL...wish me luck!

[@TimBee100]

Again, I would like to request you tell us what lake or river you are on in your videos. And for people who are watching it a year or more in the future, things like what month it is being filmed in and maybe the temperature.

[@Anthony-lg6wl]

Lake Superior, late July-early August

[@Pietjo5]

Its shown in text at the start of the video

[@slighwentwalking2025]

I like to watch drone footage of kayaking.... but as a paddler have no interest in trying it. So many places close to me drones are restricted... of course not everyone follows the rules. I would have liked using one at Myakka..but my attention was needed to not freak out over the size and number of alligators 🤔

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! So true. I probably should have talked about following the rules of drone use, and respecting other peoples space....

[@KatrinKraemer]

Loosing a drone = littering

[@PaddleTV]

Ummmmm… Loosing anything could be considered littering. Thanks. I assume with a comment like that you’ve never lost anything in your life.

[@RogerFedora895]

Electric propulsion,noisy drones,no thanks