How To Get Back In Your Kayak After It Flips Over In Deep Water [VIDEO]
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Kayak Paddleboard Reviews
Slam Dunk!!!
Luke certainly had to take one for the team on this new “Kayak How To” video!
For the first time in his angling life, he flipped over in a kayak (on purpose, of course).
And as it turns out, it’s not as easy as it looks to get back in your kayak if you flip or fall out in deep water… especially if you were crazy enough to not have a PFD (personal flotation device) on like Luke did for worst-case scenario demonstration purposes.
So in this video and blog, you will learn the steps to re-enter your kayak in deep water.
And you see two methods… one being the traditional approach, and the other being the “cooler trick” method.
Enjoy.
Note: Although you see mangrove trees, the area we did this kayak video tip was a very deep channel where Luke had no chance of touching bottom.
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Re-Entering A Kayak In Deep Water
After taking our popular blog post live the other week called, “11 Essential Saltwater Kayak Fishing Tips” (you can see it here), we immediately starting getting some feedback that we left something out.
Can you guess what it was?
It was what to do when your kayak flips over.and it was followed by some crazy stories of anglers that had fallen out of their yaks, been knocked out by waves, and been completely flipped over for a variety of unforeseen reasons.
And most of the feedback was followed by some pretty crazy stories of anglers that had fallen out of their yaks, been knocked out by waves, and been completely flipped over for a variety of unforeseen reasons.
Now although many kayak anglers have never flipped over (or out of) their kayak before, there is always a first time for everything. And sometimes now matter careful you are, crazy and unforeseen things do happen while out on the water…
Here are the 4 steps to safely getting back in your kayak in deep water:
Step 1: Flip your kayak back over in the upright, safe position (assuming it flipped over while you flipped out)
Step 2: Grab both sides of the kayak near the center of the yak (preferably using handles if your kayak has them) and pull yourself up to where your belly button is dead in the middle of the kayak. Wait until you are stable before moving on to step 3.
Step 3: Using your upper body, lift yourself up and flip your butt around into the kayak seat. If you have an elevated seat that is too high, you can lift yourself up right in front of it and then move up into the seat.
Step 4: Swing your legs back into position on the kayak.
Pa-POW! Back in action!
Now, look around to see how many people saw you fall out. If there are a lot of spectators, simply yell, “I’m ok. Just showing you all how to get back in a kayak.”
On the other hand, if no one is around to see it, be glad…
Check out the video below of Luke getting back into his kayak in deep water.
You will see him re-enter the kayak using both the standard method (above) and the “cooler trick” method, which turned out to be much easier.
Finally, the most important thing is to stay calm and don’t panic! That’s easier said that done when you are out in the ocean with waves pounding you, a storm coming, or a big fish/shark below you, but it will only make it tougher if you are in panic mode.
Note: This same 3-step process can be used when you are trying to re-enter when your feet are touching the bottom.
How To Get Back In Your Kayak [VIDEO]
Important Note: We ALWAYS recommend that you wear a life jacket/PFD while out on the kayak. We only did this video without a life jacket to show a worst case scenario.
Conclusion
Falling or flipping out of your kayak is scary business!
And although it doesn’t happen often, when it does, you need to be prepared!
Luke was shocked at how tough it was to re-enter his kayak in deep water. You can actually hear how hard he is breathing right after he flips back in.
And although he did make it tougher on himself without a life jacket, the water conditions could have been a whole lot worse (like 2-3 foot seas, etc).
The most important thing is to stay calm, remember the 3 steps, and always wear a life jacket while out kayak fishing! And if you have a hard cooler that fits in your kayak like the one in the video, take it along with you on your future kayak trips.
You’ll be glad you did if you ever find yourself outside of your kayak while out in deep water!
Related Post: “11 Essential Saltwater Kayak Fishing Tips For Newbies” (check it out here)
Are you tired of fishing the same old spots over and over again?
Then watch this FREE webinar training where you will discover how to find the best inshore spots in your area.
Register here now (before the webinar goes down)!
P.S. – “If you think your angler friends or fishing networks would like to see this, please Tag them or Share this with them. You Rock! Pa-POW!
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Watching this video ought to be a mandatory safety law.sooner or later it’s going to happen so why not be prepared.you won’t be panicked or scared.this video is just one more reason I am a salt strong member,just so much education about anything and everything..thank you mike justice
As someone who has taught kayak rescues I really enjoyed this video! The cooler trick looked really nice. I’ll Also be trying it with a paddle float. I want to add that folks should practice this skill because it is easy to do wrong and fail. If you are older, heavier, or have limited upper body strength it makes a lot of sense to practice this at least once a month.
I just got a kayak Ian 62 and not in the best of shape, certainly am great full for the video and all the other comments from members experience in this situation. I thank all y’all and will definitely look into gear for this situation,
Great video. I keep a rescue step strapped to my Kayak at all times. It would make it a lot better to reenter if I do go over.
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Nice info to know Luke! I always have wondered now that I’m older, what could make it easier to do this. I Always have a Cooler to put my Fish in. Now i Know that i could use It to help me re-enter my yak if i can’t do it with my current strength. Thanks for this Video my friend! As Always, love you guys, and always wishing and praying for the best for Y’all! Sincerely Ron Miller
I notice that you didn’t have any gear on tracks, such as a bottle-type rod holder, eye bolts on tracks, pole steering for transom-mounted motor or anything else but a smooth gunnel. I tipped with all of that, got foot and life jacket back caught in paddle strap as well as anchor line to my trolley. Luckily i was next to a spoil island and 3′ depth. I jammed yak into mangroves to stabilize and after a few tries I boarded. I’m 82, 190# and not in good shape. You try this next time. :):)
Really glad I watched the video. I’m a bigger guy at 285lbs, so you can bet your last dime that there’s a cooler on my Yak. Totally impressed by the way it “launched” you up and onto the Yak. GREAT TIP!!
Thanks for the instructions on how to get back in. Haven’t been in the water yet, but feel better about what I would do and how to do it. Super video!
I’ve intentionally flipped my Hobie Passport 3 times with all my gear off loaded before hand. I have been unable to reenter it. I did it near to the ramp I use to launch from. Will try this method next season. Also have seen a method were a line with a loop is fastened to the opposite side and under the kayak.
Love your videos. Even though I’m from Massachusetts much still applies.
I just rewatched this video after having flipped my kayak last night. Luckily the water was warm and shallow 4-5’. I had actually watched this video prior and it helped a lot. One thing it’s missing is having the kayak rigged for fishing. Adding a couple of rods, blackpak box filled with anchor, flag and other gear makes righting the kayak even more challenging. In my instance it was the first time I had brought multiple rods out and somehow one of them fell into water and had started to sink. When I saw it I instinctively quickly leaned over to get it. Guess it was further away then I thought and over I went. Trying to manage rods in one hand while trying to right the yak was a trick I hope I never have to do again. So glad I had a pfd on and had everything tied down. This was a cheap but important lesson for me. I hope this post saves someone from making a mistake like I did.
Than k you for the video. My son and I kayak together, but always with rented boats. I’m buying each of us one and wanted to make sure he understood how to get back in his.
Contact me if you’re ever in Maryland 🙂