How To Launch A Sit On Top Kayak?

Sit-on-top kayaking is a popular water sport that involves paddling a kayak in shallow water, sitting on the edge, and swinging legs over to straddle the kayak. Paddling techniques involve holding the paddle with both hands shoulder-width apart, steering and turning using wide, sweeping strokes on one side, and recognizing the surf conditions in the area where you want to launch.

There are three common ways to launch a kayak: from a beach in the water, from a high point like a pontoon or river bank, or by’seal launching.’ With practice, getting in and out of a kayak safely is possible. Sit-on-top kayaks have a higher degree of primary stability than sit-in kayaks, making them feel more stable to get on and off and less likely to swamp. Two common scenarios for launching a kayak are shoreline launches and dock launches.

To launch a kayak, float the kayak parallel to the dock, keep the paddle close and stay low, lower yourself feet first to the kayak, lower yourself into the seat, and start to paddle. Set the paddle down on the dock next to you, within arms reach of the cockpit, and dangle a leg down into the kayak cockpit to hold it.

With practice, getting in and out of the surf on a sit-on-top is not that hard. Remember to never get between your kayak and the beach, place your kayak perpendicular to the shoreline so that the front half is in the water and the back half is on the shoreline. Twist your torso towards the front of the kayak and put both hands off the dock towards the front of the kayak, keeping your weight on the boat.