How To Use A Kayak Launch

Nothing beats spending a sunny day kayaking on the open h2o, but earlier yous can begin your on-the-water take a chance, you demand to master the skill of launching your kayak. This skill can be tricky for beginners, and it might take a few tries to become information technology right.

To help you conquer the learning bend, we've compiled a guide for everything you need to know about launching a kayak. You lot'll learn why your location matters and how to stay rubber in different water weather condition, how to enter and leave your vessel without tipping, and common mistakes you lot should avert. Then, nosotros'll wrap things up by answering a few of the well-nigh commonly asked questions about EZ Launch® Residentialing.

Read the full commodity or jump to a specific section:

• Location Matters
• Launching Alone From a Shore: Method One
• Launching Alone Froma Shore: Method Two
• Launching From Shore with a Partner
• Launching a Kayak from a Dock
• Exiting the Kayak
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Launching Your Kayak
• Launching a Kayak: Frequently Asked Questions
• Launch Your Kayak Witch Ease With an EZ Launch® Residential

Location Matters

The first thing you must consider when launching a kayak is where your launch point is. Kayaking in the ocean is vastly different from kayaking in a freshwater river or lake. Additionally, launching from a dock is different than launching straight from the shore, embankment or ramp.

Bounding main Surf

One of the most important things to acquire earlier kayaking in the ocean is how to launch in a surf zone. Kayaking in the sea — especially in rough waves — is non ideal for beginners, as some situations may be dangerous if you're unfamiliar with navigating the water and controlling your boat. For your safe, ever call up to wear a life jacket. Because waves tin can easily launder gear out of your kayak, bring as little equipment every bit possible. Consider calculation a spray skirt to your kayak one time you're safely sitting within the cockpit, every bit it will assist keep you lot and your cockpit dry when breaking through waves.

Continue in heed that not all kayaks feature the aforementioned construction. For ocean kayaking, cull a sit-on kayak if possible. If you use a demonstration kayak, the seating area may fill with water when you see loftier waves. Never kayak in the body of water alone, as water atmospheric condition can change apace.

Whether you're taking advantage of the surf to catch some fish from your kayak or are craving a wavy ride, here's what you need to know about launching a kayak in the body of water.

1. Launch from a gradually sloping spot:The hugger-mugger to launching a kayak from shore is to detect a place that gradually slopes into the water, rather than a steep drop-off. That way, you tin ease both yourself and your kayak into the water, rather than trying to stay afloat while boarding. A boat or kayak ramp is platonic, simply you can use a sloping section of shoreline. The shoreline will as well give your kayak traction, making it easier to residuum as you lot arrive.
2. Keep track of the waves: Walk the gradient into the water until you're near knee-deep. Go along an centre on the waves while you practice this — depending on the blazon of moving ridge, they can exist anywhere from 0.ii to 30 seconds apart.
3. Face the surf: Point the olfactory organ of your kayak directly toward the surf. Expect until you see a suspension in the waves, then spring into your kayak equally quickly as possible before the adjacent ready of waves hits.
4. Paddle into waves:Once you're in your kayak, paddle directly into the waves using hard, fast strokes, and so you can suspension through them equally they come.

River and Lake Shores

Although at that place is still plenty of movement on lakes and rivers, y'all don't have to worry about strong tides or crashing waves like you would if launching on the ocean. It's e'er easier to launch a kayak with someone else's assist, so they tin can hold it stable for yous. If no partner is available or you aren't sure how to get in a sit-in kayak, don't worry! Yous even so have enough of options available.

Launching Alone From a Shore: Method One

One technique you can try involves using your paddle to balance every bit you board your kayak and and then using your paddle, fist and hips to propel the vessel frontwards.

Here'due south how to launch a kayak from a beach, ramp or shoreline.

1. Enter the water: Carefully move your kayak toward the water'due south border, avoiding whatever rocks or debris that could scratch or tangle around your kayak. The olfactory organ of your vessel should extend far enough into the water that the cockpit area is floating, with the cease of the kayak all the same on the sloping shore.
2. Stand in position: Stand on one side of your kayak, belongings your paddle with both hands, evenly spaced, behind you.
3. Grasp the paddle: Lean downwardly while holding your paddle and rest the handle against the back seat combing. While notwithstanding gripping the paddle, hold on to the back of the seat to proceed yourself steady. Press the flat side of one paddle blade against the footing. This approach allows you to use the paddle to help center your weight and remainder while getting inside your kayak.
4. Balance your weight: Using the stability from the paddle and your grip on the kayak seat, center your weight over your paddle and employ it to stay balanced equally you lot start to enter the cockpit. Continue an eye out for whatever waves acquired by current of air or nearby boats. While standing in the h2o, bend your knees every bit if you're going to sit on the paddle.
5. Get feet starting time:While in this position, you should be stable enough to brainstorm entering the kayak anxiety commencement. Recollect to keep your weight centered on the paddle and footing. Once both anxiety are in the cockpit and secured against the footpegs, shift your body and so y'all can climb the remainder of the manner in.
6. Attach spray skirt: One time you're seated, lean back against the backrest and adjust until comfortable before attaching your spray skirt.
7. Begin paddling: Grip your paddle with one hand and make a fist with the other. Use both the paddle and your fist to propel the kayak forward, with one manus on each side of your vessel. If y'all're having trouble moving, use your hips to help push your kayak forward. Once you're in the h2o and away from the shore, paddle equally usual.

This method can be tricky to grasp at starting time, so feel free to practice until you're comfy. Because this approach involves centering your weight on the paddle and ground, it'southward a rubber way to launch if you're worried about tipping your kayak over while boarding.

Launching Solitary From a Shore: Method Two

Another method when launching a kayak from the shore alone is to straddle your kayak and use hard, quick motions to paddle forward.

Follow these steps.

1. Enter the h2o: Move with your kayak into a shallow part of the water, perpendicular to the shore. If you have a longer kayak, you lot might find it easier to launch while parallel — just be certain you know how to plough your vessel around afterward.
2. Straddle the cockpit:Secure your paddle inside the deck line, so stand up over the cockpit in a straddling position.
3. Get a skillful grip: With one leg on either side of the kayak, utilize your hands to grab the sides of the vessel and lower yourself into the cockpit.
4. Adjust: Once you lot're seated, bring your legs inside the cockpit and place your feet confronting the pegs. So, scoot against the backrest and become comfy earlier attaching your skirt.
5. Paddle forrard:When you lot're ready to launch, take your paddle out of the deck line and use sure, fast strokes to propel your kayak into the water and away from the shore.

This method is more straightforward than the commencement, but since you are not using your paddle to stabilize yous, remember to keep your weight evenly distributed while straddling and entering the cockpit.

Launching From Shore With a Partner

Kayaking with a friend is not merely safer, but it's a lot of fun. You can as well help each other launch from shore.

Launching with a partner is very similar to doing and then alone. Y'all'll still need to bring your kayak partly into the water, preferably almost a gentle slope. Once you and your friend are in position, accept your friend hold your kayak steady with both hands while you climb within. When y'all're seated with your paddle in hand, have your friend assist you spike your spray brim before pushing y'all away from the shore and into the water.

Launching a Kayak From a Dock

If you're not launching from the shore of an bounding main, river or lake, yous're probably using a dock. Launching from a dock is often simpler than doing then from the shoreline, but there are still a few things to know if you desire to make it every bit straightforward as possible.

Here's how to make it a kayak from a dock:

1. Put on your life jacket before y'all begin boarding your kayak.
2. Untie your kayak before you board, or you may be unable to attain the ties one time y'all're sitting in the cockpit.
3. Be sure to secure your paddle in the break line earlier yous make it your kayak, or set information technology somewhere on the dock that is out of your fashion, but easy to access in one case seated.
4. When y'all're gear up to board, sit on the dock with your legs and anxiety facing the vessel. Using one leg at a time, slowly motion into the cockpit while gripping the opposite edge of the kayak and pulling it toward the dock. As you move, keep your torso weight toward your behind. If you find you demand a little help, utilize your paddle to keep you balanced by pressing information technology flat against the dock behind your body and putting your weight on it while yous lower yourself into the cockpit.
5. In one case you're comfortable and you lot've adjusted your seat and footpegs, adhere your skirt, grab your paddle and gently push away from the dock. Keep in mind if you're kayaking in the ocean, you notwithstanding desire to keep an middle on the waves around yous and endeavour to time your movements in between sets.

If y'all're launching near other kayakers, be careful you don't run into them or cross their launch path.

Exiting the Kayak

Exiting the kayak is like to entering the kayak, but reversed. If you used your paddle to stabilize yourself when inbound from the shore, follow the aforementioned steps when exiting. If you are exiting onto a dock, focus all your weight on the dock and use it to pull yourself out of your kayak. Don't forget to tie it back up when yous stop.

Common Mistakes to Avert When Launching Your Kayak

As you know, it might take you lot a few tries to successfully launch your kayak. To make it safe and like shooting fish in a barrel, avoid these common mistakes.

• Ignoring weather conditions:Avert launching when information technology's windy, or h2o conditions are rough. Moving slowly and carefully is the all-time fashion for a beginner to become comfortable launching without tipping the vessel or losing residual. If the wind and water are working confronting y'all, this will be more challenging.
• Forgetting to get out nonessentials at home:Do not overload your kayak with as well much gear. Any excess, unnecessary weight volition arrive harder to launch.
• Not securing your stuff:Speaking of gear — don't forget to secure yours! Even if you don't tip your kayak during launch, you still need a plan for combating h2o that will enter the cockpit when breaking waves. Secure all belongings in a secure, waterproof storage area.
• Panicking:Panicking is never a good idea when you lot're on the water, but staying calm is specially essential during your first launch. Information technology might seem intimidating at first, but the cardinal to successfully launching is to remain at-home, steady and focused on your surroundings.

Launching a Kayak: Frequently Asked Questions

You're well-nigh ready to start your kayaking journeying! Start, review some of these oftentimes asked questions well-nigh launching a kayak.

How Do I Sit in a Kayak?

Sitting might sound like the easiest part of launching a kayak, simply there are several things you demand to keep in mind.

• Try it on land first: Do sitting in your kayak before taking it out on the water. Not only will this go far easier to enter when on the waves or boarding from a dock, but you can also make any necessary adjustments to the seat and backrest. If your seat feels uncomfortable, consider investing in a kayak seat pad or cushion.
• Proceed your back directly:Practiced posture is crucial if yous want to stay comfortable and in control of your kayak all day long. Make sure your dorsum and shoulders are directly — remember not to agree whatever tension in your trunk. Take time to do some stretching earlier boarding your kayak. It will help loosen your muscles and prepare them for paddling.
• Use the footpegs:Virtually kayaks accept adjustable footpegs then you lot can configure your kayak to fit the length of your legs. The goal is to exist able to sit up straight without leaning dorsum with your anxiety resting comfortably on the pegs. You want to bend your knees and position your ankle and foot to course the letter "Fifty." If you detect yourself pointing your toes, y'all're leaning too far back and need to conform closer to the pegs.

If you're using a tandem kayak — a kayak that seats 2 people — the heavier person should sit in the back for the best weight distribution.

What If I'm Using a Sit-On Kayak?

If you're using a sit-on kayak, you will follow these aforementioned steps for boarding and launching from the shore or dock. The only difference is, instead of lowering yourself into the cockpit, you demand to outset sit on top of your kayak with both legs facing the same direction on the same side. Once you're steady, apace swing your legs around until they are in front of y'all.

Can I Launch a Kayak Without Getting Wet?

The answer to this question depends on where you're launching from, the status of the h2o and how much feel y'all have getting in and out of a kayak. To stay every bit dry as possible, launch your kayak on a day with calm waters and clear skies, so yous don't take to worry about crashing waves or too much movement causing you to lose your residue. Never rush entering or launching your kayak. Boring and steady doesn't only win you the race — it as well keeps y'all a lot drier.

How Tin can I Keep My Kayak Prophylactic From Scratches While Launching From Shore?

When launching from a dock or launch system, yous commonly don't have to worry about your kayak scratching confronting anything during launch. However, if you lot launch from the shore, be careful when moving your kayak into the water. Some kayak materials, including rotomolded polyethylene and thermoform, are typically impervious to this type of damage. If your kayak is inflatable or composite, though, exist very careful not to drag it against the rocks and pebbles.

If you're worried almost scratching your kayak, enter and launch while further away from the shore and so you lot aren't pressing the bottom of the vessel into the ground.

Launch Your Kayak With Ease With an EZ Launch® Residential

Now that yous've mastered successfully launching your kayak, y'all're set up for a fun-filled day on the water. Are y'all even so feeling a little nervous about keeping your kayak stable while entering and exiting? In addition to the methods mentioned higher up, the all-time mode to stay balanced while entering and exiting a kayak is to utilise a EZ Launch® Residential system. A good launch system attaches to your dock, secures your kayak when not in utilise and volition go along your vessel steady while you climb inside and prepare to launch.

With the EZ Launch® Residential from EZ Dock, you go the following benefits.

• Convenience: Are you looking for a dock that offers both stability and ease of utilise? The EZ Launch® Residential has congenital-in notches to keep your paddles secure while y'all focus on entering and exiting your vessel.
• Consistency: No matter how little or how much kayaking feel you have, you'll appreciate the stability of the EZ Launch® Residential'south Five-shaped entry.
• Adjustability: One-piece construction makes the EZ Launch® Residential the most adaptable launch arrangement available. Every bit the water rises and falls, so volition your launch. This stability will assist you maintain rest while entering and exiting, and information technology makes dock admission easier. And, should yous want to seamlessly attach your EZ Launch® Residential to a fixed or floating dock, installation is a snap.
• Immovability:Spend less time on maintenance and more on enjoying your kayak. We construct the EZ Dock and EZ Launch® Residential out of recycled polyethylene rubber, which means you no longer have to worry almost splinters, harsh weather conditions or pressure level washing.

Visit us online to larn more than about our EZ Launch® Residential organization or request a quote today!

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How To Use A Kayak Launch,

Source: https://www.ez-dock.com/blog/how-to-launch-a-kayak/

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