Depending on your skill level, capsizing your single sit-inside kayak when you’re out on the water can be anything from absolutely terrifying to a minor annoyance. No matter how comfortable you are on the water, it’s important to have a few techniques ready to use should you feel yourself begin to capsize.
We have collected six of our most important safety tips that you need to know about how to prevent yourself from capsizing when in a single sit-in kayak. Make sure you are familiar with each before you next head out to paddle. And no matter how experienced a paddler you are, always make sure you’re wearing a PDF or life jacket before entering the water.
Evenly Distribute Items In The Kayak
One of the best ways to prevent your kayak from tipping over in the water is to prepare it properly before you set out. Single sit-in kayaks have storage space or bulkheads for the supplies you’ll need during your paddle, such as safety gear and snacks, but it’s important you spread your belongings and their weight through the kayak so they’re not all bunched in one area.
If you bundle all your gear in one space, such as the bow, stern or on top of your kayak, this can add a lot of extra weight that can then unbalance the kayak to tip in that direction. Prevent this by evenly distributing your essential equipment within the storage spaces in your kayak, and make sure to keep anything you may need quickly in the easiest spot for you to reach.
A good tip to prevent your gear from being lost if you do tip over is to secure anything inside using bags, straps, clips or leashes. Some kayaks also have watertight compartments or bulkheads that can be sealed. These are perfect for storing things you won’t actually need on the water, like your car keys–however, a dry bag is still recommended. Should your kayak capsize, this will help to ensure that none of your belongings are lost in the water.
You should always have plenty of safety gear onboard your kayak. You can discover a wide range of quality safety gear at PaddleZone.
Paddle Towards The Waves Or At An Angle
If you’re paddling out on the ocean, knowing how to deal with the swell and waves will go a long way towards preventing a capsize. If large waves start hitting you on the side of your kayak, it can become easy for them to push you over, particularly if you are inexperienced with maintaining balance in rough waters.
The best way to tackle these ways is head-on! Or at a slight angle. By paddling either straight at or slightly off to the side of incoming waves, your kayak will crest and cut through them, preventing them from hitting the side of your kayak and unbalancing you.
Of course, paddling through waves can be scary for a newcomer, and knowing how to crest them safely is also an important skill to develop. If you’re new to kayaking adventures, it’s best to stick to calm bodies of water like lakes and slow-flowing rivers to build your kayaking skills and confidence before tackling any more choppy waters.
Keep Your Hips Loose And Your Head Centred
Keeping your balance in an unstable kayak can be tricky if you’re not used to it, but a lot of it comes down to how you position and move your torso and head. Keeping a stiff body can make your entire kayak more unstable, so it’s important to keep your body loose and relaxed when you feel your kayak start to lean or tip.
Keep your hips loose so your chest and hips can move independently from each other. Your upper body, including your arms and chest, should be strong and sturdy as you paddle, while your hips should be able to move in time with the kayak and the waves around it.
Where your head goes, your body follows, so it makes sense to keep your head centred and looking out over the bow, not down, as much as you can. When you find your kayak starting to tip and take your lower body with it, keep your head up and in the middle and use your core to bring your kayak back to a centred or balanced position.
Learn Bracing Paddling Techniques
Being able to brace yourself when you start to tip using your kayak paddle is the best way to prevent a capsize–if you know the correct techniques! There are two techniques to use when you feel yourself starting to capsize: the low and high brace.
The low brace is the safest of the two and involves keeping your hands low and your elbows up while holding the paddle with both hands. As you start to tilt, dig the back face of the paddle into the water to ‘brace’ as you snap your hips back the other way to right yourself. As you do this, keep the hand on the paddle that is away from the side you are tilting low and close to the middle of the kayak, then as you start to right yourself, lift this hand up to help you steady.
The high brace is more powerful than the low brace, and starts by holding the paddle high, with your elbows low and your wrists up at shoulder height. The action is not too different from the low brace, in that you’ll be using the paddle to push off from the water to right yourself, but you’ll also be going deeper into the water, which makes it a little more dangerous to attempt. The high brace works well in the surf zone when heading to shore. Your kayak may broach sideways on an incoming wave, and using the high brace on the wave side and leaning into the wave will prevent the wave from rolling your kayak. The wave will then push you sideways towards the beach, allowing you to exit the wave as it loses power.
You can practise these bracing techniques on dry land first, then in a pool or small body of water that you feel safe in. This ensures that, once you start going on real kayaking adventures, you’re ready to brace in deep water if the time comes!
Quality paddles make bracing much more effective, so make sure you’ve purchased the ideal alloy, carbon, or fibreglass paddle from PaddleZone
Practice Rolling Your Kayak
Rolling your sit-in kayak may seem scary, but it’s a really useful technique that can save you from getting stuck underneath your craft after an unexpected capsize. The technique is actually quite simple and generally you will need to be using a neoprene spray skirt to prevent water from entering the cockpit, enabling the roll.
There are 4 key elements to a basic kayak roll:
- The Sweep: As you begin to roll, perform a sweep stroke with the paddle. This means pulling the blade along the surface of the water in a sweeping motion from the bow to the stern on the side you’re rolling toward.
- Body Movement: As you sweep the paddle, use your core and hips to initiate the roll. Keep your head close to the water and your body compact. The key is to use your hips to drive the kayak back to an upright position.
- The Hip Snap: As the paddle sweeps and starts to come up, use a strong hip snap to help the kayak rotate. This involves a quick, explosive movement with your hips to bring the kayak upright.
- Finish the Roll: As the kayak begins to come back to its upright position, continue the sweep stroke until you’re back in your normal paddling position. Keep your head low and eyes focused on the paddle.
Begin practicing in calm, shallow water where you can easily touch the bottom if needed. This builds confidence and technique before moving to deeper or rougher conditions. It’s recommended having a partner or instructor nearby to provide guidance and assistance, especially when learning the technique.
The key is to stay relaxed, as tension can make rolling more difficult. Relax and focus on your body movements and paddle strokes, and practice the hip snap and sweep stroke until they become fluid. Proper technique is crucial for a successful roll; it’s an invaluable skill that enhances safety and confidence on the water.
Just Keep Paddling!
If you feel a little unsteady, our last tip is to just keep paddling! A bit of forward momentum and smooth paddling action can be all it takes to steady your kayak. Picture someone riding a bike - if they start to wobble and slow down, the lack of speed is going to make them less stable and fall to the side no matter what. So keep that momentum going, and you might just carry yourself through your wobbles safely!
You can learn more about sit-in kayaks in our blog, Choosing Between A Sit-On Kayak Or Sit-In Kayak.
Visit PaddleZone For All Your Kayaking Needs
We hope our tips on preventing your single sit-in kayak from capsizing have given you some confidence to get out there and experience the joys of paddling! To get your own single sit-in kayak, as well as all the necessary safety gear and accessories, visit PaddleZone online or in-store today.
If you have more questions regarding kayaking or any of our products, feel free to contact us using our online message form. Our team of kayaking enthusiasts are passionate about our sport and always willing to help you get into the PaddleZone!
- Share :
-
-
-
