Have you ever flipped while out kayaking? What happened?

Question

So far I've been lucky and haven't flipped the yak (except when practicing in a pool). Just wanted to see what some of the experiences were and how you managed it once it happened.

Answer 1

I'm with you, I've never flipped accidentally.  I do however regularly practice open water re-entry, as a single and with a buddy boat.

My wife carries an inflatable paddle float for open water recovery. It's a nifty tool!

https://www.backcountry.com/sea-to-summit-solution-inflatable-paddle-float?CMP_SKU=STS0189&MER=0406&skid=STS0189-ONECOL-ONESIZ&CMP_ID=PLA_GMm001&mv_pc=r101&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&mr:trackingCode=CC39C909-3BFA-E411-BDDA-BC305BF82376&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=m&mr:adType=plaonline&gclid=CjwKEAjwpJ_JBRC3tYai4Ky09zQSJAC5r7rujmRHrTrJpgJmrHUsHDaxdipTUqCTModjsh9P297iFBoCrNbw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Comments

Very cool that would be handy!

Answer 2

Not yet either but I do practice as well. Never know when the worst could happen and always tie down or leash your gear!

Answer 3

Yes and the key is to make sure everything and everything is tied off and secure. Other than that learn how to get back on and enjoy the fun.

Answer 4

My first kayak was a cheap, 8ft sit on top.  I was coming back to shore one time after doing some fishing just past breakers.  As I was coming back in, a wave lifted the back of the kayak and the front tip dug in so that the kayak flipped front to back.  I felt it coming and bailed to side before kayak flipped.  I broke my fishing rod but had no personal injuries other than my pride.  I learned several things like watching the surf and timing my approach better and also always take my rods down and lash em to deck.  I also ended up buying a bigger 12ft kayak.

Answer 5

Never out at sea.

Have flipped in the surf while shoring the boat taking the dog into land.

Have flipped next to the boat or dock.

Mostly boarding and unloading.

What happened... (Besides getting wet,,,)

At shore, stand up, flip the kayak, secure, collect yourself, paddle back. Spend the rest of the trip trying to get all the sand out of everything (this usually happens back at the dock).

At the dock, pray the boarding ladder is deployed, collect & secure, proceed.

At the boat, collect your pride, get on the swim step, tidy up.

You learn to tie everything off and the different configurations needed to keep yourself and your stuff safe and collected.

Answer 6

Sure, you get wet.. I do it for practice some times so I can easily get back in.