Itiwit Strenfit X500 Kayak - How to self rescue with Paddle Floater

A paddle floater help´s you a lot to get back in, principally if you have any physical disability like me.
Quick review of the X500:
It´s not as safe as a classic sit-in at sea. It´s a easy to medium sea/wind conditions capable for not to long trips and never to far from emergency way-outs. Paddle float and bilge pump are mandatory. Not for beginners out of protected areas (like any sit-in sea kayak).
A non expensive, very practical and easy to transport kayak. It´s quite fast for the dimensions, principally for an inflatable. I´m 54, with a very damaged shoulder (you can see that my right arm is shorter) and was able to do average speed of 6,4km/h at the sea and 7,2km/h at the lake on 10km trips.
Mine is now 2 years old, about 40 trips, with no problems and not showing yet any signs of wear

[@Canigetanawwwwyyyyeeeah]

I have the v1 version. Love it more than my friends v2. Anyone moaning or worried about the stability. Have some gumption. Stay focused and you’ll find your skill level improving quickly in this kayak! you’ll have reflexes like a cat if your practicing enough

[@silvajorst]

Agree with you

[@Celisar1]

Problem is white water in rivers where even reflexes don’t help much if the secondary stability is poor.

[@dpax100]

Thanks Jorge, tried this self rescue method today and worked first time wirh ease. Was worried about venturing far from the coast as was unable to re enter the kayak and has to swim to shore. Thanks 👍

[@silvajorst]

I"m glad the video helped. Enjoy your kayak!

[@lauragriffithsoutdoors]

Thanks for making this video, I have purchased the same kayak and ordered a paddle float, seeing this gives me confidence that I can do the same 👍 happy paddling

[@silvajorst]

I'm glad it helped. That was my intent. Enjoy your kayak!

[@MyChannelcloud]

Hi. I am interested to know how stable you find this kayak. I am a beginner to intermediate user. I've used sit-on tops many times and sit-ins with a skirt a few times and it was okay - borrowed a friend. The Itiwit is not cheap and I'd hate to find it too unstable. How are you finding it?

[@StevieWyatt]

Great demonstration

[@silvajorst]

Thanks

[@ronactive]

Super Boot und auf jeden Fall mal interessant zu probieren. Vielleicht klappt es mal. Schöne Grüße ronactive

[@silvajorst]

Es ist ein gutes Kajak. Das Beste für seinen Preis. Gute Paddel!

[@UriRa]

Спасибо! Полезно!

[@MyChannelcloud]

Hi Jorge. Thank you for the video and comments. I am thinking of getting the Itiwit X500, however I am not sure about stability. I do not own a kayak. I have used sit on tops numerous times and in addition have used a sea going sit in with a skirt a couple of times and it was okay. I would want to use the kayak in creeks or close to the shore. Is the Itiwit stable enough for me?

[@silvajorst]

Hi Mark. In terms of stability it behaves like some sea kayaks. Because of the V shaped keel, secondary is better than primary stability. That means better stability on motion. It needs some practice to get used to it but, unlike the rigid ones, you can shape the bottom flatter with lower pression to make it more stable on your first attempts.

[@MyChannelcloud]

@@silvajorst Hi Jorge. Thank you for getting back to me. I'm looking for a good IK and I haven't seen anything better yet. I Just need to decide if I can afford it.

[@ALFarrell-kv6ok]

@@MyChannelcloud I'm hearing that Version 2 of the X500 has a redesigned hull and is more stable.

[@MyChannelcloud]

@@ALFarrell-kv6ok Thank you

[@adelmocantagallo1151]

Isn't it a bit long in case of cold water?

[@TheGibnem]

I recently bought the same kayak but I found it a bit extra unstable, but I'm no expert! would you agree with that assessment of mine?

[@silvajorst]

It needs some practice. You can use a lower pressure in the bottom blatter. Try between 5 and 8 PSI and you will feel an improvement on the stability.

[@TheGibnem]

@@silvajorst Thanks George! will try it next time I'm in the water 😁

[@nunocarvalhoguerra7190]

It is a bit more unstable than sit on top rigid kayaks, but for calm waters and no wind it just takes a little bit of practice. I would recommend you buy the floater and practice this technique shown on the video as well, near the shore. But overall it is a good kayak

[@klausm4086]

This works in calm water, but in Reality???

[@KayakingVince]

I tipped mine for the first time in a fast moving river a few days ago. I was thankful for bringing some paracord to moor the kayak while I rescued it. For me the hardest part by far was righting the kayak when filled with water. Lessons learned for next time: don't securely tie a heavy dry bag to the top of the deck, use the paddle float as leverage to right the kayak, if the air temp is 6 degrees C, expect the water temp to be close to freezing!

[@Alexander-il7id]

🤔👍👍👍

[@AN-xu7eb]

This yellow baloun: what is that?

[@silvajorst]

It's the paddle floater

[@slabbyrider8665]

Looks like waaayy to much faffing around to me. I'm getting a plastic tourer and will learn to roll both ways and to haul myself back on with the deck lines.

[@coppershark1973]

This method is essential to learn. There are times where the roll just won't work and you need a back up.

[@Lolaraptus]

Ok but too slow for a real emergency for exemple with waves

[@silvajorst]

With some practice you can do it much faster. This was only the second time I did it this way. I also wanted to show slowly the different steps. Thanks for your comment.