Sea Kayak Self Rescue: Cowboy Rescue / How do I get back into my kayak alone?

[@juliamackay348]

I just bought my first kayak and by watching these videos are extremely informative. As soon as it gets warmer I’ll be using these helpful tips 😊

[@HightideSeekajak]

Enjoy your new hobby!

[@kayasper6081]

- don't swim, just move the kayak - NEVER let loose the paddle! I just suscribed to your channel, thanks for your videos

[@HightideSeekajak]

Thanks for your feedback Jasper and yep, two really good points in summary there. I just checked out your page, if I'm ever in your region I'll look you up, looks great. Cheers, Dave

[@kayasper6081]

@@HightideSeekajak Hi Dave, you are welcome. It would be cool to have you here. My club is based in a place called Chiclana, in the province of Cádiz, Spain. I keep watching your excellent videos. Cheers!

[@apkelly01]

I found my kayak just too heavy to lift and I was in water up to my waist. I wish I'd watched these videos where you do the cowboy/girl entry. I watched one where she got up and put her legs straight in ...I tried it, but ended up swamping my kayak. I'll give this a go on my next practice.

[@brunogehem6578]

Never let go of your paddle guys

[@JB-xd9dr]

Just buy a paddle retainer. Inexpensive and means it’ll never get lost.

[@jsmcguireIII]

leave paddle clipped to hull, point downwind, dump out as much water as possible, mount from stern and scoot up like a ladder, drop your butt and legs in and start pumping to regain stability. A swamped hull will flip very easily and start to cost you time and strength. Then act like you had everything under control.

[@MrAussieJules]

My method... used in light surf: put paddle float on paddle, inflate.place paddle parallel to.kayak. Hold breath, get into cockpit upside down, roll, using hip but mostly paddle ( much more leverage with float). Put skirt on , pull off a few inches on side, pump out water with pump. While using paddle as outrigger. Take float off, paddle off.

[@peterkaldanis9769]

Great instructional video, thanks.

[@hunati31]

Thank you for the awesome video.

[@HightideSeekajak]

Glad you liked it!

[@AudioAdvisory38]

Beyond helpful.

[@tomchupick9450]

I usually get my chest on top of the back of the kayak and then hook my legs in the hatch and rotate to sit. However, this requires a paddle float to avoid tipping after the rotation.

[@laurentvenet2758]

Impressive ! Thanks

[@romieffendi8534]

Hello! Can i check, if this works on a K1 canoe? Also, how do you bail the remaining water in the cockpit out?

[@seehongkongsea]

Such a G! 🔥

[@PaddleDogC5]

Try it in 4' breaking waves not flat calm water.

[@producerarg]

But good instruction video. Congrats

[@depestdexo]

During the first phase of the rescue you hold the paddle to the stern side, and when you make the "cowboy" movement with the leg you have to take the paddle out from its way, going to a more unbalance situation. I think it´s better to hold the paddle to the bow or deck side, in this way it will stay in the same position during all the rescue without losing balance any time.

[@seaman1965]

Thanks !it is necessary to have a sponge in the kayak to clean the water

[@HightideSeekajak]

Hey there, yeah, always good to have a sponge along, a pump is also good as it is difficult to empty the boat completely and it depends on where the bulkhead is behind the seat. With practice you can get enough out though and you can paddle surprisingly well with water in the boat in order to get to a place where you can empty further . Thanks for your comments and have a nice day, Cheers, Dave

[@tikskit]

The fact I got in the water means that the weather is tough, strong wind and waves. But this trick requires a balance and cautious. So is it really possible to perform that in such conditions?

[@HightideSeekajak]

Hi there, thanks for your comment. Yeah, you're right here, this is a rescue that requires plenty of practice in calm water in order for it to work when the conditions get more challenging. This is a key part of the British Canoeing leadership awards on the Sea and does work in moderate as well as advanced conditions. If it's something that you only practice every now and then and doesn't always work on flat water then it won't work when the conditions get more challenging. For me, I can rely on this both in rough conditions on the open sea and in tide races but it is something I've practiced a lot and continue to do so. I would really recommend having a number of options though and as someone has stated below, the paddle float rescue is superb and reliable back up option that I would also recommend learning. I would use it in the same way as a normal t rescue with the paddle attached behind the seat under the deck lines. If I'm only reliant on one, then I'll for sure make sure I'm paddling with other people that can help out with a T rescue. As with everything, the key is practice, practice, practice... and training hard (doing hard things) in easy conditions. Hope this helps, Cheers, Dave

[@wildernessgui]

It is possible, but you need to practice. I've done this for practice in 25kt winds and steep 6' seas, 6 second wave period. It was tough to get the timing right on dumping the boat at first.

[@nothumfv]

It depends a lot on your boat too, and how loaded it is. I have two boats. With one of them is super easy in calm waters, with the other one is almost impossible...

[@tikskit]

​@@nothumfv as for me climbing is much more difficult than the roll, even with a paddle buoy. I really afraid of situation where I need to climb when there are big waves

[@HightideSeekajak]

@@tikskit I think that's a good point, developing your roll and re-entry rolls is time well really well spent. At the end of the day, the roll is most effective way to right yourself and the re-entry roll is another great option in big conditions. Don't forget as well that there's also no better back up than paddling with friends. When you're slick with the T Rescue, it always works and can be very quick. Bottom line: have as many options as possible and more than one at any one time, and practice them lots, It'll give you tons of confidence.

[@JLT1003]

How did you avoid getting your spray deck caught under your butt while sliding forward?

[@henrygerwien186]

Even if that happens, it.s only a short part of the spraydeck and is easiliy put out. Sometimes it happened to me, too. When I changed to a neoprene spraydeck, it never happened again. One plus more: If you rob from behind to the entry hole, the s.deck is always over the entry hole! 😉

[@JB-xd9dr]

It doesn’t appear that lifting the bow up removes any water at all. Does it really? Likelihood too is that a capsize will have happened in rough/choppy water, so waves make it very much more difficult to both empty any excess water, plus getting back in becomes a real challenge. Not seen any YT videos demonstrating this in rough water. Hope someone does and provide some good tips. Thanks.

[@HightideSeekajak]

It's quite effective actually, but you don't see it in the video because most of the water comes out before you start to lift. Lifting isn't done to empty the kayak but instead so that water doesn't refill as you turn the kayak back around. Of course this gets more challenging the rougher the conditions get, but still possible.

[@steveh3483]

Ive searched for instructional videos of how to get back in a kayak. Having recently been out in rough water, I have realised, there are no videos that show you how to do this in water that caused you to tip over in the first place? How do you do this in rolling seas, huh?

[@HightideSeekajak]

Hi Steve, Thanks for your comment. Although this is performed in calm condition for clarity and teaching purposes on the video, I find this a reliable technique also in rough water. The key caveat however is, as is also stated below, it is a technique that needs plenty of practice in calm water first. Have fun practicing :-)

[@tiaxanderson9725]

Hello Steve, The calm water makes for a cleaner instruction video. However, the techniques work in rough water as well. Here's a video from 9-ish years ago that uses a slight variant of the Cowboy Rescue in rough water; watch?v=eCC-oX-OsWg

[@beingaware8542]

Point into steep waves also

[@Павел-ш6ь7д]

Все это прекрасно описано, пока нет небольшого шторма)

[@Dachdogoriginal]

That paddle was a total missed opportunity. But you got in. So.. 👍

[@HightideSeekajak]

Hi there, Thanks for your comment, how do you mean exactly? always interested to hear new methods, cheers, Dave

[@Dachdogoriginal]

@@HightideSeekajak the side and position of your paddle is important because it brings stability. Especially if you are dealing with chop. You don't always need a paddle float, but that also helps. Clean maneuvers are safer maneuvers. It is not always smooth conditions. But like I said, you got in there! kzbin.info/www/bejne/apPYoZqJhJaLeKc

[@davestorey3735]

@@Dachdogoriginal Hi there, thanks for your inputs. I think it's great to practice different options and techniques and really welcome the feedback, I think that's how we all learn the most and how the sport develops. From your example video I would argue that if you stay low and spend as little time as possible in the "crux" position (behind your seat on the back deck) that this technique, once well practiced is the most efficient, quick and works in most conditions. It also removes the need from assistance from you paddle/paddle float, of course you can skull for stability as in my second example when you bring your legs in. I must say, I've done it in quite advanced conditions, including tide races and it's always worked for me. I question whether using the paddle as "an outrigger" really brings much especially if you have a higher blade angle unless you use a paddle float (If you look at both the first and second example on the video you linked the paddle just dives as it's an angle). Paddle floats are also great and if you're unsure of the technique or not confident with it, it's great to have one as a back up, but of course without it, you're much quicker. I think the most important thing with this technique, as with most things, is practice practice practice... Have a nice day all, Cheers, Dave

[@pbr2424]

Don't let go of paddle ever and use a paddle float. That wouldn't work in tough water.

[@rogeru73]

We have the same kayak, same west and same paddle. You must be good. lol ;-)

[@davestorey3735]

:-)

[@kayzinti4452]

What kind of coach demonstrates a rescue where the person lets go of an untethered/unsecured paddle?

[@HightideSeekajak]

Hi Kay, Woah, that's not exactly a respectful way to give feedback / comment to a fellow paddler. If you have a suggestion for an improvement, do please add it to the mix, I'm absolutely up for learning new things and sharing options and best practices. For clarification for everyone, I keep my paddle close by, actually try to keep it in front of me and under the boat while emptying. The process goes quick and you can keep an eye on your paddle the whole time. I'm not a fan of tethering paddles generally due to the added risk of getting caught up with ropes whilst in the water. Paddle leashes tend to get in the way, causing problems when emptying the boat, especially in more dynamic water. For me, tide races, rivers, the rocks and the surf are no place for paddle leashes because of this risk. It's also the reason why I keep a spare paddle on the front of my boat and if you develop good habits with your paddle: using the decklines, keeping the paddle nearby, then I don't think there is a need for one, but hey that's my personal preference. And to answer your question of "what sort of coach demonstrates a rescue where the person lets go of an untethered/unsecured paddle?" My answer would be: one that hasn't lost his paddle in 20 years of kayaking. But I'm always open to learning and new perspectives, so I look forward to your tips. Have a nice day, Cheers, Dave

[@ByronWalter]

@@HightideSeekajak Hi HS. I usually keep my paddle between my legs while I'm emptying and flipping my kayak. But it's so much better to stay in the boat and roll it back up, which I'm sure is what you do too ;)

[@AudioAdvisory38]

And what kind of amateur are you; aside someone whom loses paddles?

[@christopherhernandez3398]

Easier with swells wind and rain 😂

[@producerarg]

You leave the paddle at the beginning. Don't ever do that. Water was calm, so u had no problem but, with a little heavy weather... good bye paddle...

[@ikkeennietjij]

Just wish my legs wer shorter...