Self-Rescue Tips for Kayakers after Capsizing

​Kayaking is an enjoyable outdoor activity that provides physical exercise and the opportunity to explore outdoor spaces. Almost 30 million Americans participated in a paddling sport in 2024, according to Paddling Magazine, with the Outdoor Industry Association recognizing kayaking as the most popular form of paddling. Any person interested in paddling must follow a few essential safety tips and develop foundational kayaking skills, such as creating a response plan in the event of a capsize.

Capsizing occurs when a kayak flips over in the water, so that the kayaker submerges beneath the surface of the water under their boat. Capsizing can cause considerable anxiety for inexperienced paddlers, particularly when strapped into the cockpit. Kayakers may feel trapped and begin to panic, which can significantly complicate the situation. With this in mind, while it may sound counterintuitive, one of the first safety steps kayakers should take involves learning how to capsize their vessel intentionally.

To get started, deliberately capsize your boat in a controlled environment with a friend nearby to practice your responses and self-rescue techniques. While you should practice capsizing and self-rescue in calm, shallow waters, ensure that the water is deep enough to avoid head injuries while flipping the boat and performing a wet exit.

Intentionally capsizing a kayak is relatively easy once you overcome the urge to stay afloat. Rock the vessel back and forth and lean your body in the direction of the craft, generating enough momentum to topple over into the water. The experience of suddenly submerging beneath the water represents an essential aspect of practicing self-rescue.

The first step to self-rescue is the wet exit. To escape from a submerged cockpit, lean forward, slide your hand along the coaming to the loop, and pull hard. After releasing the restraints, place your hands on either side of the cockpit, press your knees together, and push off with all four limbs as hard as possible.

No kayaker should set out without a personal floatation device (PFD). A properly fitted PFD will handle the rest of the wet exit, carrying you to the water's surface. If possible, try to hook a leg into the cockpit while floating to the surface to avoid getting separated from the boat.

At this point, the "scariest" parts of a self-rescue is over, but the more physically demanding steps have only just begun. Deploy the paddle float, a buoyant accessory attached to a paddle blade, to convert the overturned kayak into an outrigger.

Several options exist for turning a kayak over in the water, though in some cases it may be easier to drag the boat to shore. Otherwise, swim to the middle of the boat, hoist yourself onto the belly of the kayak, grab the opposite edge, and pull the kayak into your chest while simultaneously sliding backwards into the water. Alternatively, stronger kayakers can swim under the kayak and quickly push up and turn the boat over.

Finally, return to the righted cockpit by moving to the back of the kayak and, using both hands, pulling yourself onto the boat while kicking your legs for strength and leverage. Position yourself at the rear of the boat, with legs spread and hanging over each side. Then, inch forward until you have moved over the cockpit and lower your body back onto the seat.

Simone Monasebian

Shop