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The Wet Exit

Peter Salisbury
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The wet exit (getting out of the kayak in the water) is not very difficult, but it is still important to have some experience with it.

If you’re going to go kayaking, you should realize that there is a very good chance that you will capsize your kayak once or twice. This does not necessarily have anything to do with skill – it’s just that accidents sometimes happen, and the more that you are on the water, the more likely it is that you’ll have a situation in which you’ll need to know how to perform the wet exit to get out of your kayak.

As a result, it’s a good idea for you to practice this method before you actually go kayaking. (However, keep in mind that this is not necessary if you intend on using a sit-on-top kayak. In that case, you’ll just be able to flip the kayak back over and climb back in.

The best place to practice the wet exit is, of course, in a swimming pool, or other safe, shallow water. If you don’t have a swimming pool, then you should look for a lake or very sheltered beach. While you will need to learn how to perform the wet exit in situations where the water is not so calm, it’s important to make it as easy as possible to learn the technique at first. You may want to look into buying a nose clip for kayaking in order to make sure that you do not get water up your nose. You should also make sure that you have a friend nearby to help out in case you are unable to do what you need to do.

First, take a deep breath and then capsize the boat. You might have a little bit of trouble doing this at first, depending on how broad the kayak is and how well it is built to withstand capsizing. Once you are underwater, wait until you stabilize. Next, you should locate the release strap on your kayak, and pull it. Once you do this, you should be able to lean forward, straighten your legs, and then push yourself out of the kayak.

As soon as you are clear of the kayak, you should float up to the top of the water and grab one of the tow lines on the kayak. One thing to keep in mind is that you should always hold onto your kayak when you are in the water after a wet exit. That way, you will not lose your kayak to the wind or currents.

Hopefully, you will never have to use the wet exit. However, if you do need to use it, it’s always best if you have had some practice getting out of your capsize kayak, first.

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Peter Salisbury

I’m Pete. I am the owner of KayakHelp.com. I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, I grew up kayaking, fishing, sailing, and partaking in outdoor adventures around the Great Lakes. When I am not out on the water, you can find me skiing in the mountains, reading my favorite books, and spending time with my family.