Solo kayakers must be slightly more prepared and vigilant than other paddlers. If something unexpected happens to you while you’re out on the water, you’ll need to be prepared with the necessary skills, knowledge, and safety equipment.
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How Do I Kayak By Myself?
The first step in solo kayaking is to accept the reality that you can do it! Yes, it necessitates preparation and expertise, but it also necessitates the assurance that it is doable. Unfortunately, there is no exact number of hours you should spend honing your kayaking skills before you can paddle on your own.
It all comes down to your level of comfort with the location and conditions in which you’re paddling. However, we have found that planning and kayak rescue skills can help people feel more confident about kayaking alone
Top Solo Kayaking Safety Tips
Your ability to enjoy kayaking alone for years to come depends on your ability to stay safe. As a result, we think it’s a good idea to start with strategies to keep yourself as safe as possible as a solo kayaker.
1: Selecting the Proper Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
We’ve been bugging you about it in so many of our pieces, and we won’t apologize for being concerned about your safety. When it comes to the true dangers of kayaking, the majority of accidents are caused by a lack of or poor usage of a personal flotation device (PFD).
2: Make sure you’re wearing your PFD correctly
It’s all well and good to have a suitable PFD, but it won’t help you unless you know how to use it properly. This is a mistake I see a lot of new kayakers make, and it rarely works out well while paddling with others. When learning how to kayak on your own, however, it is critical that you wear your PFD properly. Fortunately, with the proper care and education, this isn’t too difficult to accomplish.
3: A Float Plan should be filed
It doesn’t have to be with the US Coast Guard or another law enforcement agency, but someone should be aware of your anticipated paddle trip itinerary. This is an important safety precaution for all kayakers, but it is especially important if you are learning to kayak on your own.
It might be as simple as sending a text message to a contact in case of an emergency. That communication should include details about where you’re paddling and when you plan to exit the river.
4: Have All of the Necessary Safety Equipment
Depending on the style of paddling you undertake, what constitutes “appropriate safety equipment” will vary. For example, owners of the best sit-on-top kayaks don’t need to worry about hauling a bilge pump and sponge as they would with a touring kayak.
Nonetheless, the idea is that you must have the appropriate safety equipment for the type of paddling you are doing. It will give you a lot of confidence as a single paddler to know that you are prepared if things don’t go as planned.
FAQs
If you fall out of a kayak by yourself, how do you get back in?
If your kayak is facing the wrong way, turn it around. Position yourself in the middle of the boat to do so. Reach over the hull’s top (facing the sky), grab the far side, and fall back (having a rope or cord to pull is helpful). Your kayak will flip back over as you fall back.
If you fall out of a kayak by yourself, how do you get back in?
If your kayak is facing the wrong way, turn it around.
Is it possible to learn to kayak on your own?
You can now learn fundamental paddling strokes with your paddle in hand.