Re-entry practice!

So, I've been kayaking almost a year now, and haven't yet forced myself into a re entry situation, but I realize the intelligent move is to learn the procedure as best I can, so I'm doing some more practice!

I'm house sitting for a friend this weekend, and have the pool all to myself. It's 9 ft. deep, so I can't cheat, I have my kayak, and all the gear I wear fishing with me and plan to practice some re-entry, both with an empty boat, and a fully loaded/rigged boat.

Any tips on what I should practice? I've watched the videos, and I can get back in the boat now, but I'm looking for any situations I should practice? Obviously with a pool I'm not factoring current, and the water temperature is ideal, but I have the place to myself, so I might as well learn as much as I can.

Any info/tips appreciated!

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I snorkel and speargun for pike in Montana, and get back on my kayak many times a day while wearing weights on my back and ankles.  Here's how I do it:  I grab the gunwale next to my seat with both hands, kick my feet until I'm lying horizontal in the water, and then with one fast motion I pull the kayak under me as far as I can, and then immediately push forward until my head is hanging over the far side of the kayak.  Then I roll over on my side and sit up in the seat.  I'm a wimpy old guy, but find this easy to do.

I have tried using a webbing stirrup so I can push with my feet, but can't make it work.  As soon as I put any weight on the stirrup, my feet swing under the kayak.  So I stick with the technique described above.  The only time I've had any trouble getting back on my kayak was when I got dumped over by a violent gust of wind, and when I tried to lay out horizontal in the water, the kayak kept getting blown over me, so my body was under the kayak.  Took me a while to get the kayak re-oriented so I could climb back onto it.

When you practice climbing back onto your kayak, wear the same gear you wear when fishing, in particular your PFD.  Once you get good at re-entering your kayak, try flipping your kayak and turning it back upright before you climb back onto it.  Then mount your fish finder, rod holders, and other equipment on your kayak and practice climbing back onto it. 

Finally, try it with all your rods, net, and other fishing equipment in place, so you can experience the chaos which that can produce.  Be sure you have the rods and other equipment leashed or attached to your kayak so you won't lose anything when you flip your kayak. Let out some fishing line with a sinker on it, and then flip your kayak.  Some gear, like rods in rod holders, will come out of their holders and hand beneath your kayak by their leashes.  If you flip it to the right (clockwise), right it back the way it came from (counterclockwise), so you won't wrap your fishing line and leashes around your kayak.  This will be an educational experience.  Better to learn how to deal with getting everything back in place in your kayak when you're in a pool, rather than when you're in a surf zone or in big wind and waves.

Great advice as usual from pmmpete. For me, I've found that climbing back on is usually not too difficult (similar technique as pmmpete, but one hand on each gunwale). I find righting the kayak can be more challenging, so definitely worth trying a bunch of different scenarios. A sail makes it especially interesting...

Thanks for the advice/scenarios! I practiced all day today (100 degrees, nothing else to do). Started with an empty kayak and just a pfd. Progressed into wearing all my fishing gear, with the kayak more rigged than I ever fish with. I got it pretty well down in the pool, just need to get into the slough or something with a little more challenge to feel more comfortable.

I also learned I can get on the bow of my thresher and move back to my seat if ever need be. Not sure what situation would call for that, but good to know I have options. I also tried rolling my kayak "the wrong way" tangling all of the leashes and such, it can be done, but it is definitely way better to think through that and roll it the correct way!

Thanks again!

Sounds like a productive day.  Now flood it and try again. Then try using a manual pump to get the water out. 

Best advice is to over practice.
Before I'd take my son or stepson kayaking I took them to Folsom Lake and made them get back on the kayak from just about every conceivable position.
Flip it upside down and right it from both sides AND from each end.
Flip the kayak and get back on it while it's still upside down.
Stand up on it while it's still upside down and walk from bow to stern.
While the kayak is upside down, get on top of it and see if you can right it while staying on the kayak.
Fill the kayak with water and see how much stability you lose. And I mean FILL it, not just a couple of gallons.
Once you feel how it performs you will know what that feeling is so if your kayak is ever taking on water you'll know what's going on before it's too late.
If you can, have a friend (or two) get in the water and try to prevent you from getting back on by moving the kayak in any direction possible.
My son and stepson had to do all of this before I'd take them out and it had paid off in HUGE dividends.
Everyone swims at one point or another.
Because of all the practice it isn't even a second thought about how to get back on. It's just natural. And there is zero panic factor either.
My son took my stepson out on the ocean for the first time at Albion. My son likes to fish close to the shore break and he got dumped. My stepson looked over and asked, "Why are you all wet?"
"Because I just got dumped", was his reply.
He was back on so fast my stepson didn't even know it happened and the were within 10 yards of each other.

Practicing at Tahoe. The cold water adds a little higher level of difficulty.

I fish mostly ocean and the water temperature is colder. I saw it effect one of my buddies when he capsized. it took him 3 tries to get back because he was rushing it. perhaps the fear of sharks i dunno.  I think you should be fine if you do have to self rescue while out fishing.

Tote just inspired me to go practice some more!

Good info there tote! I'll be headed to the lake this week for some more practice, I did flip and re enter from both sides and the front, I didn't think to fill it with water though! That is a fantastic idea and I'll definitely give it a shot. It did expose a weakness, my brand new (used twice) hx870 seems to have filled with water and quit working, but I'm glad it happened in the pool and not when I needed it.

Also had to stage a photo for the home owner, so he knew his pool was being put to good use Haha


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That's a great photo!  " I didnt know I had fish in my pool!"

Thanks to all for the great info on re entry.
One thing I can't find info on is re enter of two people on a tandem yak.
Anyone have a link or advice?
Thanks again

One person at a time.
Same idea. Get on your belly, roll to your back, sit up, feet forward.
The first person on can help stabilize the kayak by putting their legs in the water and lowering their center of gravity by bending forward at the waist with their hands on the sides of the kayak.
It's a bit more helpful if the person in back gets on first. That way they won't be tempted to look back to see how their partner is doing.