How To Get Into A Canoe From The Water?

In this episode, we discuss how to re-enter a canoe from the water using a canoe over canoe rescue technique. Getting in a canoe depends on the location in the water, with shallow shorelines being the most common. Getting back into the canoe from the water is the most challenging part and requires practice. With your partner in the water, grab opposite sides of the canoe close to the middle.

When landing a canoe on shore, the front should gently go up onto the land, while the back should remain in the water. To land at a dock, get as close to the side and place the boat perpendicular to the shoreline. If there are two passengers, have one person stabilize the boat while pushing down with arms on the other side of the canoe.

To enter a canoe from the water, straddle the bow or stern and shove the canoe under you while pulling yourself in. The movement is one smooth motion, grabbing the gunnels with the hands and placing your chest inside the boat and then your feet. Position the canoe parallel to the dock or shore, with one person stabilizing the boat while the other steps into the canoe.

Step 1 involves packing the canoe close to the water, forward pulling up, using the leg under the seat for leverage, pushing inside the hull of the canoe at the bow or stern with both legs, and using a Huli strap.