Solo Capistrano Flip and Re entry

I don't really believe that a Capistrano flip and solo reentry are that useful as a rescue technique but I am supposed to be able to do them. If you are solo (and alone) it is best to avoid the probability of tipping altogether - prevention rather than recovery. With that in mind understanding the dynamics of tipping, righting, and reentering a canoe is useful when trying to keep yourself out of problems.
The canoe used in this clip is small, larger canoes are more 'interesting' to do the flip part, having some extra floatation ( • Capistrano Flip Float ... ), or a friend ( • Capistrano flip 1 ), helps with the flip. I will say that big canoes are much easier to get back into from the water ( • Deep Water Reentry No ... ). In the smaller canoe I kept hitting my head on the far side. I will make a video of a rodeo reentry at some point :-).

[@tarantulabunnydog]

Have been practicing this and gave myself a fat lip in the process 😂 Thank you for the demonstration, it helps a lot.

[@CharlesBurchill]

Sorry to hear about the fat lip.... on the flip or re-entry. I have given myself a bonk when flipping the canoe as well.

[@CharlesBurchill]

If you are having problems with re-entry try adding a dry bag full of water to stabilize: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqHGd6lmlrOHlZY There are a couple of other better videos available but this is what I had....

[@tarantulabunnydog]

Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@markhenry6622]

Great job!

[@user-cg3yg9wf4x]

Perfect skill

[@16prospector]

B etcha got some bruises after all that Charles ! You do make it look easy. I have never had much luck unless my feet were planted on the bottom for leverage :).

[@CharlesBurchill]

The canoe is quite small and light - I didn't suffer too much. The splash-out that I did just after this was more trouble. A float assisted flip is much easier (see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJPWqIB5lM9qfa8) - I used a pack with stuff in it for this other demo. Getting back in with the help of a dry bag full of water also makes things easier (see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqHGd6lmlrOHlZY).

[@jaycimbak7781]

@@CharlesBurchill how does having a dry bag help re-entry?

[@martycuff257]

Used to do this all the time with my Old Town wood/canvas canoe but then I was 16 now at 72 pretty sure I could flip my Northstar Phoenix and get water out not so sure about getting back in but as it's basically the same as your Wildfire at least I see it can be done.

[@CharlesBurchill]

The first time I tried to re-enter the Wildfire my head hit the other side of the canoe and I tipped back out. It took a couple of tries to sort out how to back into the canoe.

[@Osckarre]

Works great up to about a 14ft when solo canoeing. Pretty hard to do with a 16'

[@Osckarre]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/apKYqYeOYrR1nLM

[@CharlesBurchill]

If I am using a larger boat I will use a float assist to do the flip - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJPWqIB5lM9qfa8. (there are some better examples elsewhere on the net but this is what I have). To be honest with a larger boat solo self rescues are tricky no matter what in an actual situation. Thanks for the additional video clips you added as well.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thx for posting. Curious what canoe, canoe length and weight you are using. Looks like a nice solo boat. thx

[@CharlesBurchill]

You can find information on the canoe here: coldencanoe.com/wildfire.html. This was a Bell Wildfire model that was picked up by Colden afte Bell canoes took a break. I quite like the canoe.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

All part of become one with the canoe, I suppose. With the heat that is settling over the country it would be a good chance to get out and practice. even with a pack and the regular stuff one finds in the boat, is it tied in or does it float away, are you in a river or nice flat lake, or it it 38 degrees F with wind and heavy rain?

[@CharlesBurchill]

This was just goofing around - I took my pack/barrel other stuff out of the canoe rather than chance a leak. That being said how I tie my equipment depends on the conditions (as you mention). If I am puddle hopping then I don't tie anything in to the canoe. If I am on a larger lake I use a longer line and carabiner so stuff does not float away, but it also doesn't get in the way, or it can be dealt with separately. Moving water - this is a good conversation over an evening fire since it depends even more. It is either tied in tight (providing flotation), or it is not so it separates and I have to pick it up later (maybe, if I am lucky, and it is a pool and drop river).

[@Osckarre]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWTdk2x_qZx4ebs

[@Osckarre]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/apKYqYeOYrR1nLM

[@mvg6553]

The solo canoe looks a lot lighter and easier to recover

[@CharlesBurchill]

It is much easier with a small solo boat - although getting back into the canoe is a little more tricky. I can do this flip, but only barely, with a kevlar tandem. Larger/heavier canoes I need help. Canoes like a Grumman I need to be about 30 years younger.

[@mvg6553]

@@CharlesBurchill I can imagine it being more hard than it looks. This summer I want to expand my trekking and camping outdoors to also include the beautiful islands that is in my town. I live in Sweden and we have an archipelago with 5000 island that anyone is allowed to stay overnight at. (allemansrätten) I never paddled in my life before, but grew up with traditional rowing boats and sailboats. Everyone I see in my town seem to be going with Kayak but this Canadian style boats appeal to my a great deal more than a Kayak. My goal is to spend overnight camping 1-2 days so I do have a 13kg backpack. So in my mind the end goal is to get to a place from A to B in a day. While I'm sure I will love the paddling part, that is not the only reason I will venture out on the water. It will almost always be to camp outside. And I will probably go solo. I do plan on trying renting a kayak experience here in my town since it's famous for kayaking and there is a club just to see that side of the coin but I would still love to hear from someone experienced! Would you recommend this type of boat for camping trip on a semi open water? I do worry a bit about the wind and waves.

[@CharlesBurchill]

I like using an open canoe in the area where I live (central Canada) because there are many small lakes and rivers that require portaging. A kayak is really great for paddling and superb for dealing with wind (depending on the type) but it can be a nuisance to portage between lake systems. I also appreciate the canoe because it is open - easy to load extras - I usually paddle a tandem canoe and can easily add a third or fourth person on day trips, depending on the distance. Your concern about the wind/waves when compared to kayaks is valid.

[@michaelwolf8781]

Looks so easy.

[@CharlesBurchill]

The canoe is small and light, and with a PFD for flotation, it is easy. Getting back in with a narrow canoe is a little bit trickier.

[@CharlesBurchill]

With a larger canoe having some floatation helps - you can use a pack under one end for support as in this example - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJPWqIB5lM9qfa8

[@blackspruceroutes]

a big burly guy with a very light canoe,..:-) might be technique but most people find it hard to lift a 60-70 pound canoe at arms length when their feet are firmly planted on the ground...imagine when in deep water...

[@CharlesBurchill]

I don't think a Cap Flip has many real world applications for various reasons but it is fun to try. With a larger canoe there are a few options - more than one person, air bags, dry bag assist, It has been a long time since my whip kick was good enough to flip a larger boat. Technique also makes a big difference. If I am doing a self rescue now I am more likely to do a splashout, just swim, or with airbags just bail. Thanks for saying I am burly :-) rather than the alternative.

[@blackspruceroutes]

@@CharlesBurchill Hahaha!! After quite a few not reassuring attempts at self rescue I think that end air bags are almost a must have for a long solo trip. Of course prevention is 100% better than being able to do self rescue! Making the right choices like not paddling while it's really windy, or portaging vs running a rapid etc....are all way better than an unwanted swim! Fortunately it doesn't happen all that often.

[@jeremypaluck4246]

That's how to wash a canoe

[@ExploderXLT00]

Now show me it loaded as if on a 10 day trip in choppy water, early May, that you can’t stand up in….

[@geofferg1]

This is what I was wondering.. how to do it loaded... maybe you could unstrap the bags.. tie them to the painter at a few meters out front.. wouldn't be easy.. but the only way I can think of doing it.. as for the cold water... dry or wetsuit I guess.. otherwise you're gonna have to get to shore pretty quick to build a fire.. if it's windy.. yikes..

[@CharlesBurchill]

I think I had mentioned this has less real-world practical value. I encourage people to tip periodically to get an understanding of the behavior of their boat (and to make sure the boats don't sink). I also encourage people to practice with loaded boats for the same reason - understanding before they go tripping what they might have to deal with and how to prepare. There are a few options in choppy water - mostly avoiding getting into trouble, make sure there are others to provide support/rescue/collect equipment. Having additional flotation (bow/stern) float bags makes the whole process easier. What you do with your equipment is a longer discussion with some trials to see what works for you - when to tie in tightly, when to add a tether, when it may not be necessary. I will go back to working on how to stay out of this situation to begin with - but then understanding what works (ahead of time) when things go badly.