How to Remount your SurfSki

How to Remount your SurfSki
Here’s the step by step how to remount your surfski:
1) Float in the water alongside your boat, holding onto both your boat and your paddle. Have a look at what the surf is doing or what the conditions are like around you.
2) Place your paddle over your boat, so it is perpendicular to the boat, and hold it against the boat (in one hand).
3) Your free hand is gripped around the gunnel (side) of your cockpit, towards the back of the cockpit.
4) This wide arm grip gives you the stability and better leverage when you need to climb onto the boat.
5) When you are ready, you need to do a big breaststroke kick while you pull yourself out of the water to lie with your stomach / hips over the cockpit area of your boat.
6) You can relax here and catch your breath if you need to.
7) The next step is to simply shift your hips and roll over a bit so that your bum can slide into the seat, leaving your legs hanging out the side of the boat in a typical horse-riding side-saddle position.
8) This is another opportunity to rest and relax a bit if you are tired. You can also double check the surf and conditions again.
9) Once you are ready to start paddling, take a stroke on the same side where your legs are hanging out, using the movement of that stroke to help lever your legs back into the boat. You can move one leg in at a time or both together.
10) Now you are back on your boat so off you go 😊

[@SinijZmij]

Ага, очень интересно! Завтра попробую этот способ с посадкой на один борт. У меня без поплавка на весле ещё ни разу не получилось влезть в каяк. Благодарю за поучительное видео, мадам гребец. Фильм нравится.

[@howtofindmeaning]

Great way of teaching

[@orjansskidskola1654]

Best Remount-video online - Great for me and everyone else to grasp the method, step by step. I recommend this video first, and then, secondly Oscars video in windy conditons to everyone asking about reentry. Great that you show how the paddle is held across the bucket, instantly ready for paddeling as soon as the butt is in the seat - instead of holding the paddle along the ski, on the opposite side of the ski - as most others. Thanx //Örjan Skatt, Sweden

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Thanks so much for the feedback! Much appreciated and yes, Oscar's video in the wind is brilliant!

[@Iaapwm]

I think that you deliver the information without shaming or ridiculing others. A good human quality to have. That was a brilliant 5 minute constructive, reassuring video that almost made me think that I do not need to practice. Your efforts are appreciated from Lismore NSW Australia

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Hey Walter, thanks for such a positive response. Definitely out to share and contribute to experience and knowledge, and not oppose other opinions. There are many ways to skin a cat and this is one version so we are glad you appreciated it ;-) Happy paddling in NSW!

[@ThePaddleChannel]

I agree Walter!

[@boutthere3374]

This was excellent...you should do this for a living....Cheers.

[@PaulGPhotography]

Very well explained, going to try out the paddle position as I normally have mine along side the boat. Great instructions 👌

[@expatbore]

Brilliant point ‘just hang out there’

[@reannedeklerk8361]

Great video!

[@GoProKMH]

You are great. Thank you for the great guidance and video.

[@charlotterichards2047]

Very well articulated & demonstrated

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Thanks so much Charlotte, appreciate your feedback! Happy paddling!

[@frankfernandez8314]

Excellent instructions! Effective!

[@paddlefitdad]

This is an excellent remounting video (perhaps the best I've seen). It's the first time I've seen remounting with the paddle perpendicular. I'm going to give that a try to see how it compares to having it parallel. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Thanks Ed, we think it's important to try and to practice both options! You may find different ocean conditions suit different approaches. Good luck!

[@jenniepennefather5420]

Clear video showing exactly how it's done, some great tips!

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Thanks Jennie! Let us know if there is anything paddling-specific that you'd like us to do a video on.

[@kerriburton4256]

Excellent. Thankyou Cheers Kerri

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Thanks Kerri! Happy paddling :-)

[@karljrgenkristiansen2303]

Very instructive. I would love to see a video og the same procedure with the paddler using a pgd and a safety leash. I have found that attaching two small friction pads on the bout where the paddle is placed really helps. On my first attempts the paddle often slid away as I instinctly applied pressure from my (in this case) left arm.

[@shrameesrivastav1130]

Thanks soo much for the amazing vid! Just got an Epic V10L from a friend. Tried mounting but failed and decided to swim to the beach (some 250m to 350m to beach) with the boat and paddle, not the best decision of my life.

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Oh wow, that's a long swim!!! Are your remounts better now?? I hope so!

[@ThePaddleChannel]

Excellent video. Very helpful.

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Thank you!! I'll go check out your Channel too.

[@paulgriffin8566]

Many thanks for a great video. I came looking for just a thing after having been tipped out of my Ski on Saturday and flailed around for about 10 minutes trying to get back in. I will be taking your advice over the next few weeks and practising remounts from both sides. Please keep up the great work.

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Hello Paul... thanks for the message, I hope this video has helped and your remounts have improved?? Happy paddling!

[@cvdh876]

Thank You for the video, for me, I do everything you say except I put my complete forearm on the further side of my mounting side. The ski is more vertical in the water but I pull the whole boat down while pulling myself up. I found this reduces the energy needed to remount. With just using my hand, I can remount maybe 10 times before I'm gassed. Using my forearm, I've done it 20 times wile not breathing hard.

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Oh!! OK, that's good then, well done!

[@georgegrewal4844]

This is great I’m thinking about getting into this sport

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Oh great George! Do it!! You'll never look back :-)

[@AntonioSanguigni]

Thank you for your videos ! Clear and instructive. I have seen other videos which hint to get the paddle parallel to the ski, on the far hand. I'm trying both techiques and I found this last one is simpler. But I understand that yours can be better in wordst sea conditions. What do you think about it ? Thanks

[@giff06]

Well Done, thanks Hayley! What about positioning in regards to the wind direction? Wind at your back?

[@OceanRidersOnline]

That's a good question. I was always taught to position your boat with the nose directed into the wind but I have seen videos lately promoting other ways. Although there can be a recommended way, I think once you are efficient enough at jumping in your boat you are likely to get it done quickly, facing the way you want to keep travelling. However, when I have fallen out with wind is howling from a side on / cross-wind position I have turned my ski to face the wind, jumped in and then turned thereafter to the direction I want to face.

[@mikecoglione1308]

This is so hard! Been kayaking for 20 years and tried surfski once and all I could do was flip it trying to get in never mind paddle the thing. I cannot possibly imagine myself paddling it anywhere never mind getting into it. I can't even get back into a normal kayak if I flip it so my re-entry strategy is paddle close to shore in case something happens and swim there to re-enter from shallow water as I would normally get in it when putting in but this, wow. The choreography is incredible. Your coordination and balance is impressive to tame this beast!

[@ric8167]

I also had a rough start coming from a sea kayak, but been getting more comfortable with practice. The remount is a lot easier although still challenging at first specially when tired.

[@mikecoglione1308]

@@ric8167 I don't remount. Have diabetes and carry glucose meter/hip sack which is incompatible with going in the water. That said I always stay with very stable boats and my rescue strategy is staying close to shore which is easy as most of the paddling I do is fresh water lake/river. I've only flipped once in 20 years and that was on me, was paddling after dark in a swamp, hit a submerged log and went over. It happened so quick the November before last. My (semi) dry suit and life jacket saved me. Life jacket was good because I didn't need to tread water to free myself as I flipped right into a submerged tree and got stuck in the branches so had to use my arms to free myself. Dry suit saved me because it was cold and I didn't feel the cold panic (much). But yah I realize that I am limiting myself in so many ways but my main sport is cycling and lift some weights as well. I use paddling for my high aerobic intervals as it gets and keeps heart rate so high much easier than being on the bike. But at my height and relative unsteadiness and lack of flexibility remounting anything is so difficult its not even on the table. Happy to stay with my S14 G2 (kayak) its probably the fastest boat I can feel confident paddling. And the change of seasons provides such a change of scenery with a 3 month gap in winter because the ponds freeze that I don't tire of it.

[@neebolam]

Thank you so much for putting together this video! I keep revisiting it as I’ve been practicing my remounts on my Epic v9. Switching over to a thinner profile PFD helped a lot because I kept sliding back with my previous one 🙈 Do you have any tips for the grip you have on your paddle with it across the boat? Having a lot of trouble holding the paddle and hoisting myself up at the same time, and I think it’s because I’m pushing up more with the hand closer to the foot pedals.

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Good question Nghi... maybe try and use the other hand (the on on the back of your seat) to PULL you up, and less focus on the one with the paddle. You have to navigate trying to keep the paddle in your fingers and some grip around the side of the ski. Just keep practicing! A more streamlined PFD will help, I personally use Vaikobi V3 PFDs and think that's the best one for surfski. And then make sure you do a big kick with your legs to help get your body out the water and over the boat :-)

[@TheMINIMOKE1]

Great video. I need a lot more practice remounting my Fenn Swordfish; for some reason I’m finding it very difficult. Up to now I’ve held the paddle parallel to the boat with the hand’s that across the cockpit; in choppy conditions I think having the paddle across the boat might result in a wave catching the paddle.

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Hey David, you are 100% right re having the paddle parallel to the boat, I know Oscar promotes having your paddle that way for the reason you mention. I think both options can and do work and you'd be even better off to practice both ways and then depending on conditions you have two options :-)

[@fqestevao]

Gonna try, will let you know how it went

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Did you succeed? Hope so!! Keep practicing!

[@boispw]

Great video - very helpful (I hope! I've just ordered my first surfski). I noticed that you said to make a paddle stroke on the same side that your legs are hanging to get the balance to swing your legs in. But then on your 2nd mount you don't bother with that. Is that just because your balance is so good, or is it the way you're holding your paddle to keep the balance? (I note that bringing in your legs from the left you're holding the paddle down low on the right) Are these two alternative ways of doing it, or is the 2nd just your good balance not needing any leg counterweight?

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Hello! Yes, there are a few ways to do it. I have highlighted that it works well and helps stability to take a stroke on the same side but it can be done either way and you may find with increased balance that you don't mind which side you take the stroke on first. So glad you've ordered a new ski! Fantastic!!

[@jeronimojejehd]

👍👍👍

[@stu962]

Having dislocated my shoulder in the recount just looking for any tips you may have to reduce the likelihood of reoccurring

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Have a look at our shoulder video. Good scapular setting and control is your starting pount

[@derickreynolds6072]

Left and right mix up!?

[@ricamz]

In choppy conditions should you remount with the waves on the back or in front of you?

[@christophersleat6348]

wind and waves behind you works best for me

[@OceanRidersOnline]

HI Ricardo, apologies for missing your question... we did answer this above previously but it is a very good and common question. I think that once you are good enough at remounting you can do it with the wind at your back or facing into the wind. I was taught to remount facing into the wind / swell and then once you are back in you can paddle and turn around. However, if your remount is efficient enough and you feel safe and in control then you have the choice to do either. Just don't try remount with the wind / swell / waves side-on as that is most difficult! Happy paddling!

[@tvepaddler]

Q: how do you modify your remount when in an elite boat where you can't sit with your legs out on one side 'cause the sidewalls are too high & steep? I'm finding that after laying across the boat I have to flip over and get one leg across pretty much in one movement and that's the least stable part of the remount and keeping track of the paddle so it's ready to help stabilize in rough conditions is rather tricky.

[@d1427]

I find it difficult placing the paddle perpendicularly- no grip to the boat/the paddle slides, so I place it on the opposite side, along the boat. Then, in an elite boat, I have to be very precise where I land my belly so that when I flip over, my bum lands in the bucket where it is supposed to- if it is too far or too close it may be a botched remount. Another thing I found out [the hard way] is that before flipping over I have to slightly move my paddle holding hand forward so that my thumb doesn't get caught underneath my bum, not being able to use the paddle to take the first left side stroke [when remounting on that side] and get my legs in- btw. to me once I am stably seated, I don't have to 'get one leg across in one movement'- both legs are on the left side and they come in with the first stroke, either one [and then the next one with the next left stroke] or both at once. In choppy waters I move the right leg [with the first stroke on the left] over the boat so that I straddle it until I get more stable and able to start paddling and get both legs in.

[@DARKxARCHANGEL28]

better yet, mount on the back of your kayak then slide forward until you are near the seat then stretch one leg at a time and u will be seated

[@Kmuggle]

I weight 250# ... ain't so easy as it seems.

[@OceanRidersOnline]

Upper body strength and a good kick from under water will help!