Racing kayak rescue technique: How to do a deep water rescue in a K1 or racing kayak

Elena Outdoors
Elena Outdoors
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Published 2022-03-14
In this video we demonstrate a way of doing a deep water peer rescue in K1s or flatwater racing kayaks (sprint or marathon kayak). There are various different rescue techniques a paddler can use but this one may be useful to you in a situation where you need to get the paddler out of the water very quickly, for example when the water is cold. It requires practise though so we hope this video breakdown will help you with that.

This is one way of getting a paddler back into a boat quickly if they capsize in deep water and can't get to a suitable bit of bank quickly. The idea is that they can then paddle to a bank and empty fully.

If you have any questions please comment below and we’ll respond as soon as we can.

This video was filmed at Plymouth Marjon Sport and Health Centre: www.marjon.ac.uk/marjon-sport/
The Outdoor Education staff and students, and the staff at Plymouth Marjon Sport & Health Centre helped to make this video and saved us from having to do it in the cold!

We plan to make some more videos like this so don't forget to like the video if it's been helpful and subscribe to be kept up to date with new content! 😀
All Comments (12)
  • @WaynesWorldUnlimited
    Oh, I miss canoeing kayaking this is wicked I haven’t done it for over 20 years. I’m starting to admire your adventures.
  • @eliholmes3310
    Thanks! I have started teaching this to our beginners who are in stable sprint kayaks. Works great and is easy for them to learn. Definitely better than having them swim to shore which takes a long time and they get cold.
  • @thimHH
    We do it differently: Both K1 next to each other in the same direction. I use my paddle as a bridge between the rear cockpit rim of the other boat and the front cockpit tip of my boat. Then the other paddler can push himself up between the boats. This is from my experience even very very stable and safe.
  • @heribertramroth2360
    Perfect, I love it. Well explained. And I very much like the break down into the various sections of action!
  • @neilusingmyphonefletcher5950
    Beautiful. But, honestly, can everyone who can sit in proper K1 and do a sculling draw with one hand and a wing paddle put their hand up? The rescuer is real class.
  • @AdeClimb
    Thanks for this, very clear on the method but ive just got one question. I'm new to this style of Kayak but previously used plastic boats as a kid where we could do a T rescue to get some of the water out first. You mention use of air bags but have you got any other tips? Would you do this method first, then use a bailer once back in the cockpit?
  • @Mr.Bryan1234
    I can barely keep my boat upright if i try doing this ill end up flipping 😂 make sure you all use a life jacket if paddling alone or in a area where you can’t swim to shore or dock in case you take a swim!
  • @jetducks7550
    If your stable enough to do that you shouldn’t flip even if there’s a 5 foot wave on every side