NORTHSEAKAYAK - The Sea Kayak Safety Line

During my two solo and unsupported North Sea crossings, the sea kayak safety line was a necessary item. Since then, we tend to tether ourselves with it. Surf skiers are doing this already for years, why shouldn’t we? We train on leaving one leg in the cockpit during a wet exit, but we also want to be prepared if conditions are too rough or if something goes wrong. Think about it, what if you suddenly get unwell? If the wind is against the current, you will drift away in the opposite direction of your kayak. Swimming back can become impossible. Losing your craft in open water is one of the worst things that can happen. Better safe than sorry! But, don’t forget to use common sense: don’t use this during surfing; your boat will wash up on shore and so will you. Make sure it’s long enough so you can easily shift out of your cockpit. Be safe and have fun!

[@FalconSails]

I am glad to see an advanced paddler talking about wet exits. Nobodies roll is 100% effective. You have to be prepared for a wet exit. If you can deal with a wet exit, you can deal with anything. But of course, always work on advancing your roll. It is a lot faster.

[@Northseakayak]

Hi there, Believe we have the same opinion. We don't believe in a so called bomb proof roll (even if my last failed roll dates from many years ago). One can get still unwell, or break a paddle, or..... So better safe than sorry. Thank you for your reaction! Have a fine weekend!

[@aremedyproject9569]

Always great vids. But please change the music, turn it down lol. Kayaking can be more relaxing too. There’s enough drama in the world. Cheers!

[@Northseakayak]

Hi there! Augh, sorry! 😃 Thanks for the nice compliment on the videos! Cheers!

[@woofna1948]

Kudos on another great video, Dmitri! As you know, I'm a big fan of short boat tethers.

[@Northseakayak]

Cheers Moulton! We know! Still see that particular pic of you in front of us, sitting in your kayak with your own safety line.👍😊

[@onemondaynight]

I love this! Very helpful!

[@Northseakayak]

You're welcome! Have fun and be safe!

[@robertnissenbaum]

Excellent stuff as usual. Based on your set-up I love how you connected the bungee line. I may play with one similar with a short static as I like how it's clipped to the deck...less line.

[@Northseakayak]

Thank you so much Robert! Yes, that set-up was actually the first we used many years ago. Then we started searching for other methods. But we still use it. Less line indeed. Greetings for the Belgian West Coast! Speak to you soon!

[@KayakKiwi_Peter]

Very interesting and we will be sure to discuss this at our training meetings. Thank you

[@Northseakayak]

Cheers Peter! Please let us know how it goes?

[@comaenzo]

great as usual Dimitri :)

[@Northseakayak]

Thank you! (y)

[@PhilEvansOnline]

Excellent! 👍

[@Northseakayak]

Cheers Phil!

[@sanderschwerdt4649]

Muito bom! Já compartilhei nos meus grupos de canoagem.

[@Northseakayak]

Hello Sander, That is very kind of you, thanks for your support!

[@rolandlorenzen8561]

Cool, just thought "there should be a new northseakayak safety video!" And here it is!

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Roland, Thanks for your support, we do our best! Cheers! :-)

[@coriolanchassaing4887]

I recall paddling some 10 nautical miles offshore, in force 5-6 against 2 knots of tide, unaware that I should tether myself. And a big breaker (forecast gave a maximum of four meters waves) nearly capsized me. I keep thinking about that, if I was to swim that day there was no way I could get my boat back.

[@Northseakayak]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Good that nothing worse happened that day. 👌 We didn't tether either in the beginning, until I started preparing for longer offshore trips. Certainly when paddling solo, this is a must have. Happy paddling!😊

[@yakinsea]

I had a similar experience paddling solo out of marine radio range of a weather station in Norther British Columbia. It was a new moon and conditions nearly stopped me, resulting in a 0100 hr landing!!! I absolutely tethered myself to the boat. Another thing, don't wear an overly bulky (in the front) PFD as it can make scrambling back into the kayak tougher.

[@KayakeaChileValpo]

Me acordaba cuando remaba en sit on top a realizando cruces entre bahias de aproxiadamente unos 12 km, y siempre usaba mi cuerda de amarre a mi kayak. Despues retorne a kayak cerrados de mar, e igual segui usando una cuerda de seguridad, y uso tambien en surf sky , no puedes darte el lujo de perder tu kayak con vientos de sobre 15 nudos, y a mas de 30 minutos de la costa mas cercana en kayak. Si me llama la atención lo corto de los sistemas mostrados, y lo nuevo para mi es que se linquean al faldon , sin opcion de soltarse rapidamente si fuera nesasario. Prefereria usar mi cola de "chancho", de mi chaqueta de vida, que es mas largo y puede ser liberado. Se agradece mostrar nuevas cosas, que como siempre requeriran ser evaluadas en agua salada. Saludos Leopoldo

[@Northseakayak]

Hello Leopoldo! I had to use the translator because I don't understand Spanish. 😀 Good that you are actually doing the same as we, even with a slightly longer line. There are almost no wrongs in this. In open sea, the danger of entanglement is not comparable to the danger and outcome of losing your craft. Using the hook on your PFD is also a very good setup! Thanks for sharing! Cheers!

[@KayakeaChileValpo]

@@Northseakayak thanck for answer, I frefer speake to write...about sea kayak. Jjj.

[@BackonTrailasia]

Nice, I have heard about it, never seen it. I am new to sea kayaking, but just got myself something I need to add to my kayak. :-)

[@Northseakayak]

Welcome to the sport! Enjoy our videos! We have an instructional playlist that may prove usefull. 👌😊

[@wavesoffun]

Great ... Thanks for this... I'll have a play with my Whetman contact tow. Nice idea!

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Ian! Just make sure you give it some extra lenght as showed in the video. Otherwise it's too short and it will hinder a swift wet exit. Have fun!🙂

[@wavesoffun]

@@Northseakayak no problem... Always fun playing with rescues and wetwork. I do find the latest version of the Whetman line is quite long and difficult to make snug against the deck anyway.

[@aremedyproject9569]

@@wavesoffun I’m gonna check out your channel no ow. Will sub. Cheers!

[@robertkerner4833]

That seems like an entrapment hazard if you don't get it exactly right! I can foresee people making that line too short.

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Robert, You're right, but have you watched to the end? We ephasize of making the short tow line low enough for that reason, as well as testing it before use.

[@woofna1948]

The entrapment hazard increases with the length of the line. Short, stout tethers do not present an entrapment hazard. Sea kayaking culture is resistant to boat tethers, but for no good reason. It's a carryover from river kayaking culture where no paddler in their right mind would use a tether. Different sports, different safety considerations. Read this: docs.google.com/document/d/1wvSA6d6vlxhKLzyaazKqXaRfvf7NLeME7PqmBsbDrg0/edit?usp=sharing.

[@stevejudge527]

Great video and makes sense but I don't understand why you run it through both sides of the deck line and not just have it attached to one side?

[@Northseakayak]

That is also a good solution. Attachement to both sides works perfect if you use the short tow line for towing as you will only need to unclip one side.

[@sanekatt2330]

Thanks for the informative video. I love my sea kayak but I come from a whitewater background and we are taught to always use a locking carabiner for safety reason. Is there a reason why you do not use them with your tethers?

[@Northseakayak]

Thank you! On open water, there is no use for those type of carabiners. They are mostly bigger as well. Of course, if you use them for both occasions it will do just fine. Cheers!👌😊

[@gw6797]

Hopefully be getting a Sea Kayak shortly and like the idea of the bungee, can you tell me what size and what length please

[@Northseakayak]

Best is to buy same diameter as the deck elastics, or a wee bigger. Lenght depends on your kayak. Buy a bit longer and cut it down to your preferrence.

[@andylewis6831]

Very useful video thanks. I will set this up on my boat. (You don't have a paddle leash though.. for safety reasons or just that you don't like them and carry a spare paddle instead?)

[@Northseakayak]

Cheers Andy! I carry a spare paddle indeed and I don't like the leash in my way when steering. Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not against a paddle leash, just personal choice. Have fun!😊👌

[@warrencornwall3330]

Dmitri, your videos are terrific and informative. Thank you. I have a question. I use a paddle leash attached to a deck line near forward edge of the cockpit. I also have a contact tow line, and a spare paddle. I notice that you don’t use a paddle leash, but you do use this safety line. It seems like using the two together could be a mess. They mount close to each other and could get tangled during a wet exit. Do you think it’s a bad idea to use both of those at once? And can you explain why you use a safety line but not a paddle leash in open water? Thanks.

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Warren! Thank you for the nice compliment! I used the paddle leash before, when I was paddling SOT kayaks. With a closed cockpit sea kayak, I prefer tethering myself to it. As an offshore paddler I cannot afford to get separated from my craft. If I loose my main paddle, I still have a spare with me. Hope this gives some insight in my choice ?

[@darzan12]

Hi, sorry, bit confused by the safety line and short tow line, obviously both can do both jobs? You also mention surfing and rockhopping, I appreciate the entanglement risk, but do you use any sort of tether/safety line with the boat, or does the risk outweigh the benefit? Sorry many questions! Love the videos, just starting out with decked boats and they're really helpful! Darren

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Darren! Yes, we use the short tow line as for towing and for safety line. In surf, you don't want to end up in the washing machine with your boat tethered to you (risk assessment). Both you and the boat will end up on the shore. On rough seas, there is a difference. There, you don't want to lose your boat under any circumstance. If you lose it, you cannot perform a self-rescue and you will need to launch a distress call. For your information, keep an eye out on THE PADDLER Magazine. We are currently writing an article about it. Hope this helps? Cheers!

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

I'd love to try one of those sea kayaks , they look rapid .

[@Northseakayak]

They are! Have a look at the P&H website, you'll love it!😊👌

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

@@Northseakayak Cheers , good shout !

[@aremedyproject9569]

@Nic They are incredible!! Super fun. And fast. I got in a small lake kayak at a friend’s lake last summer and it felt like paddling a bathtub lol. Don’t get me wrong, tho, I needed to slow down and it was a relaxing paddle. I had just got so used to paddling my 17’ boat on big rivers I kinda forgot what going slow and enjoying a quiet shoreline was like. Though I still prefer being in the middle of a big river water (after traveling on it for a couple hours) to watch a sunset.

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

@@aremedyproject9569 I have one of the fastest fishing kayak but I would love to try one of those rockets . They look so fast .

[@AaronBrand]

I’ve seen a couple other videos showing something called a “contact tow line” which is stowed in a similar way to your #1 example but is used for connecting two boats during rescue. Could this do double duty? I’m not sure if I would use this. I think if the wind is high enough that capsize could result in me being separated from my boat then I might not want to be paddling. Although I’m starting to paddle more in currents, so I guess that could be a benefit. But you mentioned not using this surfing. Is that just because it can potentially impede a wet exit? Which makes me wonder if it’s ever worth the risk.

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Aaron! Yes, it is multi purpose. We keep things on deck to a minimum. And concerning the surf zone, both paddler and boat will wash up on shore. It won't hinder a wet exit but I rather not get in the washing machine will still attached to my boat. Offshore, the biggest risk is losing the boat, so there I'm rather tethered no matter what the conditions. Cheers!👌😊

[@woofna1948]

Risk assessment is a personal matter. All I can say is that the incident I recount here is the one that convinced me of the safety value of a kayak tether: www.coldwatersafety.org/post/rule-5-case-2. I also wrote an article for Ocean Paddler magazine that discusses tethers: docs.google.com/document/d/1wvSA6d6vlxhKLzyaazKqXaRfvf7NLeME7PqmBsbDrg0/edit?usp=sharing

[@onemondaynight]

Do the short tow lines prevent you from being able to swim to the stern of the kayak? I almost always re-enter from the stern deck.

[@Northseakayak]

Yes indeed, you need to unclip in order to do so. Most kayakers lose their kayak upon capsizing, or right after. Once you got your bearings, you can make your own choice. Feel free to experiment with a slightly longer towline.

[@onemondaynight]

@@Northseakayak thank you! Great information.

[@alexwolf8044]

Duidelijk verhaal. Zeker mee eens dat het gebruik enkel offshore moet plaatsvinden.

[@Northseakayak]

Hey Alex, Dankjewel! Ja, zeker! In de branding is het ronduit gevaarlijk, en ook niet echt nodig. Spoelt wel aan.... 😁

[@dirtbagoutside]

So what knot is that on the short line ends? For the biner loop? And what is approximate length of that short line?

[@Northseakayak]

Hi! I have absolutely no idea how this knot is officialy called. But it's efficient, still using that same contact tow. It is 3 times the width of my boat. The carabiner hooks are marine grade.

[@dirtbagoutside]

@@Northseakayak thankyou!!!

[@paulcoverdale8312]

Allo Demitri, new to your channel. Great vids. Ok do you do courses in Uk? Or are there dedicated sister organisations? Thanks for sharing guys Paul 17.50 gmt Uk cheers

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Paul! Thank you for the nice compliment! We have an anual Sea Kayak Training Camp in Croatia! Please have a look: spiritofkorkyra.com/sea-kayak-training-camp/

[@Northseakayak]

We do organise SKTC's besides that, but always on request. Have a fine evening! (y)

[@paulcoverdale8312]

@@Northseakayak many thanks an have a great Easter Paul 18.35 gmt Uk cheers

[@paddelnisse]

Good video, but why not make a movie that shows how to make them and how they are used

[@Northseakayak]

Cheers Paddelnisse! I have ideas for the next decade, but unfortunatly not that amount of time. But thanks die the suggestion, we have made this video also because people asked for it.😊👌

[@geekazoid]

what is that knot on the biner? Edit: the knot shown at 0:52 is called a non-slip (kreh) loop knot.

[@Northseakayak]

Not sure what you mean. The rope needs to be connected to the carabiner hook.

[@geekazoid]

@@Northseakayak The question is what is the knot on the leash called? Seems like a modified bowline knot?

[@Northseakayak]

@@geekazoid ah, OK.😊 I'm really not sure what this type of knot is called actually. I'm sure you will find it on the internet. Tables of knots enough. Good luck!

[@geekazoid]

​@@Northseakayak I've been searching for hours. I do know that most sources agree that the go-to knot for connecting to a biner is water bowline knot (proper name is "double bowline"). It will do, for anyone trying to recreate this. However, your knot as shown looks neat and has a very slim profile so it won't get so easily caught on the deck lines. I would like to recreate it.

[@geekazoid]

@@Northseakayak its a fishing knot and its called a non-slip loop knot. I edited my question above for others to enjoy the info. The only benefit of this knot is really the way it doesn't catch on the deck lines.

[@kayasper6081]

Hoi Dimitri, ik probeer je al een poos te contacten, maar mijn berichtjes verdwijnen lijkt het?

[@Northseakayak]

Hoi! Dat is raar, we hebben de goede gewoonte om steeds zo snel mogelijk te reageren. Via welke weg heb je ons iets gestuurd? Anders es via mail? [e-mail]

[@mrhumphries777]

First.

[@Northseakayak]

That was fast indeed, thanks for your support! :-)

[@mrhumphries777]

Great channel by the way!