Today was self rescue practice day.

while practicing in a pool is great, nothing quite simulates the salt water in your mouth, maybe going up your nose, the cold of the ocean water hitting you all at once, even in a practice it can get the heart pumping enough to remind you that when this happens in real life, you could panic, and you need to not panic.

the only tip I have is to make sure you kick your legs out to the surface of the water, it makes re-entry to the kayak or even reaching over to flip it waaaay easier than trying to jump up out of the water.

good job on doing some self rescue, I practiced in pilliar point harbor and it was a great place to do it.

That’s an interesting suggestion. I’ve always tried to remain vertical, sizzor kick as fast as I can while pulling up with my arms and pulling my rear in when it’s high enough. What are the mechanics you use. It sounds like it is like trying to swim into the kayak.

while practicing in a pool is great, nothing quite simulates the salt water in your mouth, maybe going up your nose, the cold of the ocean water hitting you all at once, even in a practice it can get the heart pumping enough to remind you that when this happens in real life, you could panic, and you need to not panic.

the only tip I have is to make sure you kick your legs out to the surface of the water, it makes re-entry to the kayak or even reaching over to flip it waaaay easier than trying to jump up out of the water.

good job on doing some self rescue, I practiced in pilliar point harbor and it was a great place to do it.

That’s an interesting suggestion. I’ve always tried to remain vertical, sizzor kick as fast as I can while pulling up with my arms and pulling my rear in when it’s high enough. What are the mechanics you use. It sounds like it is like trying to swim into the kayak.

imagine a shark is eyeing you and thinking he'd like to try a nibble 

while practicing in a pool is great, nothing quite simulates the salt water in your mouth, maybe going up your nose, the cold of the ocean water hitting you all at once, even in a practice it can get the heart pumping enough to remind you that when this happens in real life, you could panic, and you need to not panic.

the only tip I have is to make sure you kick your legs out to the surface of the water, it makes re-entry to the kayak or even reaching over to flip it waaaay easier than trying to jump up out of the water.

good job on doing some self rescue, I practiced in pilliar point harbor and it was a great place to do it.

That’s an interesting suggestion. I’ve always tried to remain vertical, sizzor kick as fast as I can while pulling up with my arms and pulling my rear in when it’s high enough. What are the mechanics you use. It sounds like it is like trying to swim into the kayak.

you're basically doing the same, scissor kicking yourself while scooting the kayak under you, you just have less water dragging on your legs.

I guess I’ve always assumed that getting elevation was important to help get my rear out of the water and high enough to clear the top of the kayak.