If you can't get in the yak I know I will never be able to! quite the eye opener. Inflatable yakkers need to watch this. This video is very important for all kayakers to watch. It might even save lives. Thanks Karl for putting this out there, it really opened my eyes! and you are shark food now!
Haha, yup Oldest Friend made me into shark bait! As I say, I am planning on taking this further with some tried and tested methods. You will see the trials - I won't hide anything!
Hope you didn't Never mind trying to get back in the Yak karl, just hope you didnt injest any of that water on 6:00 coughing and spluttering away otherwise the risk of E.cloi was high, don't forget to mention to always keep your mouth closed.
Sobering video Karl and thanks for doing this. I don't know what the answer is for the full dropstich one. I just read in Audrey Sunderland book Paddling North that she found a pdf a hindrance to getting back into an inflatable but I'll never try going without. Look forward to seeing more.
Cheers Tim. Yes watching the footage back made it clear the PFD is an issue, but like you I'm not going without so it's all about trying methods that work with it 👍😁
I was taught on sit ins, which are pretty tippy, to climb on from the back end, legs straddling the hull and inch your way forward. From the side it's important to keep flat in the water rather than upright and almost swim on. Another trick with a paddle float is to put it on one foot and use it as a step up, giving you enough elevation from buoyancy to get further across the boat and avoid it tipping. Another tip is to tie a large dry bag full of water on the opposite side to your entry, as a counter balance. There's also an entry method called the capistrano flip, but youd probably need a lot of practice to get it sorted reliably. In any case, let this be a valuable warning to those who haven't practiced re-entry. These are perfect conditions, imagine trying this in windy conditions or on the sea. Youd be cold, tired and panicking. Maybe if you're on open water, consider always going with a mate who can hold the boat? Great vid.
Cheers thank you 👍 I have 5 or 6 methods I'm going to try, and I reckon success will vary between crafts. The challenge with inflatables is there is so much variance in design and they all handle differently. If you've seen the stability test video you'll know what I mean. And they all handle differently to sit ons because it's like trying to mount a balloon. A lot of your ideas are asking along the same lines and principles I've got in mind. Thanks for watching and your comprehensive comment 👍😁
Second comment on this clip Karl. As i said before my daughter has the story- We're just back from Bassenthwaite lake from a 5 day holiday and unfortuneatly she tipped her's and fell in. It was very scary Karl. She never stood a chance of getting back into her kayak and I never had the strength to pull her into my kayak . Luckily we we'rnt to far from the shore and the wind was in our favour and Bassenthwaite lake isn't to deep around the shore line. She managed to keep a hold of my kayak while i tried my hardest to paddle - with one arm while trying to hold her with my other. It was a huge relief when she shouted she could feel the ground under her feet. I honestly thought a was gonna lose her. So from now on its gonna be practice, practice and more practice. It was a very frighting ordeal for her and me. so i hope your clips highlight the dangers of kayaking that people should practice and preach. My daughter still loves kayaking - as i do and we wont give it up but next time we'll be far better prepared for the unexpected. Ps, have u seen whats called a paddle float? I only read about them today. You can check them out on You tube, there quite a few clips about how helpful they can be. Keep up the good work M8.
Wow, I bet that was indeed a shock 😳 Sheesh! I'm so glad everything turned out ok. Tomorrow I go back into the water. Yes I've got a paddle float to try although you only see them being used on hardshells on UA-cam. Inflatables are different beasts. Also got several other methods to try... Stay safe you two 👍😊
I've got a 13 foot Bluewave single person Glider kayak similar to your second kayak in this video .. Have spent two years out on the Scottish North Sea coastline exploring cliffs and caves... I find stuffing extra inflated dry bags in bow and Stern.. Climbing in from rear using my own fixed lines on each side helps.... having something like a small rope with feet size stirrups will give you something to push up on.. A inflated dry bag on the end of paddle can act like a inflatable spreader if you span it across your kayak. 👍👍
Hi Karl, this and your stability test Vlogs are the best you’ve ever done, I love watching your days and nights out, but here you have touched on such an important issue that we probably all ignore, getting back in and how stable are our kayaks. If this comes over all “elf and safety” I don’t care as it could save someone’s life. The first thing that’s easy to notice is the shock of the cold you felt from being immersed, it’s seen by the RNLI as a potential killer when falling in water around the UK, the shock makes us panic breath and potential sucking in water. Second after a few minutes you were getting tired and finding it harder to have the energy to try abs get back in. As I mentioned on your stability tests, I’ve tried to do the same with my Sea Eagle 360 and Aqua Marina K375 which is very similar to Story you have. The SE is easy it has large side chambers, which when you pull to get back in, the side your pulling from stops the boat from toppling over, with the AM I had exactly the same issues you did, getting very close but then it would flip over. I’ve bought a paddle float, but haven’t been able to try it out yet, I’m also going to make up a strop with a loop in it, which I will attach to the inner side handle, I think it might work by feeding over the opposite to the side I’m trying to enter from, and it will counter balance my weight when trying to pull myself in. I think the loop will need to go through a section of plastic pipe ( 22mm water pipe ) which is weighted so it doesn’t float up in the water. Another thought was could you tightly attach one of your dry bags to the side of the kayak your trying to enter it should act as an outrigger and stop it tipping on top of you. Keep up the great vlogs and hopefully we can find a solutions scan share 👍
Your thinking and ideas about boat stabilisation are along the same lines as mine and I find it reassuring that I'm not the only one. I currently have 5 ideas to test in the next trial with this :)
I think it’s great you’re doing this demonstration.. just shows how hard it is to get back on the kayak no matter what type it is. I saw some comments mentioning this but a paddle float does wonders.. could be something to add to your arsenal
It's on my agenda to try a paddle float although I suspect it will prove more difficult than in a rigid. An inflatable is fatter than a hardshell, more rounder sided, slipperier and harder to grab especially when wet. I suspect it won't be as straight forward as everyone suggests. But I could be wrong, and there's only one way to find out... 😁👍
That was amazing to watch, and pretty scary! We have a Gumotex Twist 2 and I'm just about to buy a Twist 1, as I'd like to paddle a bit more often on my own. I'd now worry that I'd become too exhausted and unable to get back in! It's also made me realise the importance of always wearing a bouyancy aid, which I haven't been doing in this really hot weather. I've got paddle leashes which I'll never leave home without in future! Great video thank you, I really look forward to seeing the next one after you've researched it a bit more.
This is the video that I've been waiting for - thanks for posting! Many interesting comments, but from my experience with inflatables, many will not work. Use of a paddle float would help, as would removing PFD. I've had a Gumotex Helios for over 15 years, and still haven't been able to re-enter in deep water, so I'm in no position to criticize. Karl, I appreciate the real-world nature of your videos.
Cheers JM 👍 hardshells are slimmer and easier to grab so a lot of things people suggest work well with them. Inflatables, well that's like trying to hold onto a wet balloon, and we all know how they move about in water. It's a different beast altogether. Nevertheless, I do intend to crack this and find what I consider to be the best method and principles 👍😁
That looked REALLY difficult!! The only thing I could think of would be to use the paddle as a counterbalance. So have it laid across the boat at right angles with the blade flat to the water. As you pull yourself into the boat and it tips toward you, the paddle would push down against the water and hopefully stop it tipping so much. You'd need to hold the paddle onto the boat as you levered yourself in, but it might work? Thank you, on behalf of all your subscribers, for taking this bullet for the team!! Great video big man
I enjoyed the video. Good idea Karl. I suppose the big difficulties are the high buoyancy of the inflatable kayaks, and the fact that they are wide. of course these features make them stable, if somewhat slow. This makes it difficult to get across the up turned boat and turn it over. So the techniques recommended for dealing with capsizes in hard shell kayaks, which are a bit easier to handle in this situation are difficult to apply. Also, we tire quite quickly when try to right the kayak in repeated attempts. Our strength to weight ratio is no doubt a factor. The PFD and any stuff we are carrying attached to the kayak make things even more cumbersome. A capsize plan for an inflatable could therefore be get to the river/canal side and empty and relaunch and do the equivalent when at sea. Perhaps we should bear in mind that as an inflatable it can operate as a safety device when we capsize and it can help us get out of danger without having to try to get back in it immediately. I'm looking forward to your vids of further attempts.
Thanks for this video, which pretty much confirms my recent experience. I only could back into my Itiwit X100 (which must be one of the most stable inflatable kayaks on the market) after taking off my pfd and putting it in the boat. For the vest both helped putting me on my back and getting my feet under the boat, and it got stuck against the side ...
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Yes I have. I found especially interesting that at one point you got in with a big kick, which makes me think that re-entry is mainly a question of practice. And in my opinion that's the method that makes most sense, because faffing around with a paddle float I'd probably suffer from hypothermia before getting into the boat. By the way, kudos to you for doing the test that day!
Hi Karl, an excellent video and an enormous effort by yourself showing the difficulties. It clearly indicates the issues we all will have should a capsize occur. It's something I have to test out and master. Thanks again. 👍. I think I will try from the bow or stern 🤔
You're very welcome Steve 👍 yes it's good to practice and get a feel for this. I'll be out doing this again testing multiple new methods and ideas and you'll see the successes and fails 👍😁
Brilliant Karl. I had a thought on the Story, what if you let the air out of one side so that it doesn't tip as much when you try to get back in? Or even both sides and paddle it back as an ironing board? Idle thinking really mate but fabulous work.
I was going to suggest this - and I KNOW it will work because I've done it! I have a large 2 seater Intex Excursion Pro and I did the reentry experiment in the deep end of my pool and could not get back in no matter what I did. I then thought "outside the box" and de-inflated (deflated) both sides while I was in the water. This essentially turned the kayak into a flat pool-toy raft and it was then very easy to get in because I didn't have to overcome the high sides. Once I was safely laying flat face down I was able to get my pump which is always on board and holding the pump in two hands was able to inflate both sides enough to where I could then sit upright. I then pumped the sides a bit more and it became inflated enough to paddle. If everyone knew this, this could save a life. If you don't have a paddle float,or a step-loop (which may or may not work) I say do not try in vain to get back in with the sides inflated because, as you have demonstrated, it's not really possible. So I say don't waste your energy - deflate the sides and roll right on top of your (now) raft!
@@tomciano9820 the challenge with the boat we're talking about is it's much narrower, higher sided and inflates to a higher pressure. It's more likely that capsizing would happen in rough waters and that being the case a narrow raft might not work if you're on board wiggling about trying to inflate it. The principle is great but in practice it might be too much of a challenge. It might however work well in the Pea Pod 👍😁
pretty scary Karl, as i said to you before my daughter has the story kayak and now am a tad concerned how she'd cope if she fall in . Iv'e seen some people use the paddle at a right angle across the kayak to steady it before they try to " launch" them selves into there boat but never tried it my self. A good informative video - that i'll make my daughter watch and learn from- I'll be following for any updates. Great clip.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner I have and whilst it's still difficult, it is way easier than without as it helps stop the kayak rolling back over you. Works kind of like an outrigger.
I have one solution- and I KNOW it will work because I've done it! I have a large 2 seater Intex Excursion Pro and I did the reentry experiment in the deep end of my pool and could not get back in no matter what I did. I then thought "outside the box" and de-inflated (deflated) both sides while I was in the water. This essentially turned the kayak into a flat pool-toy raft and it was then very easy to get in because I didn't have to overcome the high sides. Once I was safely laying flat face down I was able to get my pump which is always on board and holding the pump in two hands was able to inflate both sides enough to where I could then sit upright. I then pumped the sides a bit more and it became inflated enough to paddle. If everyone knew this, this could save a life. If you don't have a paddle float,or a step-loop (which may or may not work) I say do not try in vain to get back in with the sides inflated because, as you have demonstrated, it's not really possible. So I say don't waste your energy - deflate the sides and easily roll right on top of your (now) raft! I was able to inflate it good enough with my manual pump using both hands and taking my time, but it would be MUCH easier to use a rechargeable electric pump that is kept in a waterproof bag.
The challenge with the boat we're talking about is it's much narrower, higher sided and inflates to a higher pressure. It's more likely that capsizing would happen in rough waters and that being the case a narrow raft might not work if you're on board wiggling about trying to inflate it. The principle is great but in practice it might be too much of a challenge. It might however work well in the Pea Pod 👍😁
Thank you. I felt it was important to try this with very little knowledge. Watching the footage back combined with the experience has provided lots of thoughts, ideas and new methods to test - keep an eye out for the follow up 👍😁
Just watched this and I have the same story kayak. Hope I never come off it haha. Although I thought you nearly had it, I felt like when you got close the only thing stopping you was because you seemed to square to the kayak. If you had angled your body a little I think you'd of had the room to then swing your body round
Now play at double speed - twice the fun! Not something I've tried to do as I only (thus far) tackle the canals, but I expect you need to keep as much of your body in the water whilst remounting, thereby lowering your centre of gravity and reducing tipping and the amount your legs go underneath. Tackling them from the end, rather than the side could allow you to slide your body on. You could perhaps remove some air, or adding water, thereby lowering the kayak in the water. Lots of experiments yet to do Karl! 👍🏼🌊🛶
Please do more research and up load here, it is a very valuable lesson to be learned from this video, I have a few theory's myself i OWN A 15.5 foot Riber , this summer we will try righting the craft in the sea.
Hiya Karl, infomative vid as always! My 2p, first time out in my story I capsized but got back in. few things that helped me.. Firstly my skeg was fitted, not a huge area , but anything that aids making the kayak harder to rotate in the water helps. ", I have a powerful scissor kick too! Maybe next time, when you were trying to pull yourself in using the opposing internal handle with one hand, have the oar in the other hand close to the paddle head over the far side with the rest of the paddle in the water to act as a very long skeg? In fact, thinking about it.. you could even try using the velcro oar storage strap on the story to hold the paddle in situ? Keep us posted!
Hi Karl Sea Eagle kayaks have instructional video on how to reenter inflatable kayak. Would seem suitable method for use with the gumotex twist kayak.Notice the use of the ' scissorkick ' to aid climbing into kayak. Could not resist mentioning the following U tube video. ' Sea Eagles along the Great Glen Canoe Trail ' Thoroughly enjoy watching your kayaking videos, long may they continue. DaveJ
@@geoffknight7322 Confession. Due to physical constraints I purchased a Sea Eagle 385 FT inflatable kayak rather than heavier rigid kayak. In the event of a capsize I would be unable to lift myself back into kayak as shown on video. I would aim to propel myself,kayak, paddle to bank or shallower water. I referenced the video for info.
@@davidjenkin9611 I like your honesty, it’s good to know our limitations and not to think we’re all superman. Where I kayak a lot the bank is very sheer, or has lots of trees and roots, it’s probably not suitable for re entering, and I have no intention of trying it out!
Hi to start with loving your videos, plenty of very usefull information, one thig i would say watching you trying to get back in to the kayak was your inflatable life vest seemed to be a real hindrance, perhaps one of the slimmer vest would help a little so the bulk of the vest wasnt in the way
Yes it certainly did although it wasn't apparent until I watched the footage back. And as Oldest Friend says in his comment, he had the same thought too and we were chatting about it as your comment came up :D
I have the story kayak and on first try I was unable to get back in however the lake was quite rough, I had difficulty actually getting in from the-shore so my son usually holds the back. I have gone out from protected sea to river without capsizing but would not go out alone and I will try a capsized re entry but based on the difficulty I have no confidence I will be able to get back in if I capsize😢
Finally got hold of my SUP / Kayak hybrid. Bad news: no pump included and no paddle(!) included. The place I bought it will throw in a paddle though. Good news: repair kit has glue in it! Will be going out on it soon I'll let you know how it goes. I don't have an email address for you or owt so I'll have to post here...
That's an interesting idea! 🤔 The Pea Pod would be the easiest to get water in, but I did manage to get back in that one. The higher sided Story would be quite difficult to get water in. Nevertheless, I can see your thinking 👍😊
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner could you see how full it could be with water and still carry you? I suspect it could be very full, and hence lower in the water. Then a bilge pump at work for a few minutes should raise the boat with you in it
It's a good idea but as I say, getting water into the boat would be the problem - I don't thing I could get the boat underwater in order to get water in - it's too buoyant.
Everyone should take the time to figure out best open water entry for their vessel. Take the time in chest high water to find the best entry so when you are out there you are not trying 50 different approaches. The key is doing it fast. When you flip just grab a hold of the kayak and relax, gather your strength. Then when you feel like you are ready do the entry as fast as you can, don't give the kayak time to turn. A tip, if you have anything that floats use it for leverage to bounce yourself up. Preferably this thing should be on a leash of some kind. This is something you can even think about ahead of time, even specifically getting something for this purpose.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Yes I just watched it, looks like you had the right thinking all along. I just got a Sandbanks Style kayak and its a lot like the GoPlus that you have, super easy to get into. I use it as a platform to snorkel off of jumping off it willingly, that's how confident I am that I can get back in every time. The high sided kayaks seem to be a nightmare to get back into though for sure. Then again they are really only for still waters, like a canoe. You wouldn't do ocean or whitewater in a canoe. Well I suppose you can do ocean but you would have to be exceptionally careful, one flip and you are done. Cheers!
Yeah - there are a couple where people just easily get in, but they haven't got the same type of air vest as me, which does make a diff. There isn't any real instructional ones where someone breaks everything down and uses various options as might be available... It's now in the offing :D
I've been thinking about this and the only thing I can come up with is a length of paracord tied to the handle on the side opposite to you, with a loop you could place a foot on (not in) and try to counter the 'tip-over' with that.
Its quite worrying knowing that if i had got tipped over using the story in middle of loch lomond in choppy water , i would have had literally no chance of getting back in 😮... the go plus is definitely my next inflatable
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner no ill have a look, but that's in a canal , when lochs turn choppy and ur away from water bank it would be 20x harder . Prob impossible.. the go plus looks like a paddle board with a seat and extremely steady.
Was really interested to see how this would or wouldn't work out! It's something I very much need to test myself in my Story Kayak! Like you, I am not confident in the water and therefore, if I did do something wrong and tip out I'd need to be able to get back in. I've been a chicken up until this point as its does scare me. But as the weather warms up I am definitely going to do some practicing of this myself! You just never know what could happen while you're out and therefore this is an important lesson every kayaker should undertake!
I agree :) Having now done an experiential test and got a feel for the issues I now have some ideas to test out and as you might expect, you will see the fails and the successes 👍
You can't pull yourself into the boat as you experienced, you also should kick out/up your body from the water by your legs on top of the boat at the same time, your one hand grab the closest side of boat the other hand tries to reach the other side.. Kick out yourself from water and grab the other side of boat while you put more weight of your body to other side of boat than snake in. Or try this "padle float rescue"
I saw a good video on this by a large guy that shows anyone of any size can do it. Video title on YT is ''How to get back on your kayak (Larger Person Version) ''
That looked REALLY difficult!! The only thing I could think of would be to use the paddle as a counterbalance. So have it laid across the boat at right angles with the blade flat to the water. As you pull yourself into the boat and it tips toward you, the paddle would push down against the water and hopefully stop it tipping so much. You'd need to hold the paddle onto the boat as you levered yourself in, but it might work? Thank you, on behalf of all your subscribers, for taking this bullet for the team!! Great video big man
It was difficult and I was knackered. A paddle float might help and it's on my list of things to try. I did try using the paddle but it didn't work - I need the float. I also have another idea using the paddle and paddle leash, plus a few others to try.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner of course, in MOST circumstances (not all, granted) you could get to the bank and maybe wedge the boat up against it to help - it was a great idea to try and do it in the middle of the water but hopefully most real world scenarios will allow the help of the bank
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner oh I know, that's why I said most scenarios - you're absolutely right, knowing how to get back in when you don't have a bank or the bottom of the waterway is definitely a skill to learn.
Kit seen/used in this video -
*Boat Kit*
GoPlus Kayak
eBay - bit.ly/3GSv8v3
Costway - bit.ly/31xRv8W
Amazon - amzn.to/3CNwlkJ
Gumotex Twist 2 - www.manchester-canoes-and-kayaks.co.uk/
Story Kayak bought from here - euroskateshop.uk/water-sport/kayak/inflatable-kayak.html
Winnerwell 250cm Fibreglass Paddle - amzn.to/3rXJe5M
Omouboi Buoyancy Aid - amzn.to/3zrEcng
*Pumps*
Pumteck - amzn.to/3pQnNFw
Beautyovo - amzn.to/3sT0WuF
*Wetsuit Gear*
PAWHIT Wetsuit - amzn.to/3FxOoxy
PAWHIT Wetsuit socks - amzn.to/398Fb2u
Osprey Wetsuit boots - amzn.to/37D2b9K
*Camera Kit*
GoPro Hero 7 Black - amzn.to/3FV1V1Y
DJI Osmo Action Camera - amzn.to/3Hh5ro0
PGYTech Osmo Cold Shoe Cage - amzn.to/3DnQ4YR
Camera Windshield - amzn.to/3uJmmKB
Anozer Bendy Leg Tripods - amzn.to/3F7nET9
If you can't get in the yak I know I will never be able to! quite the eye opener. Inflatable yakkers need to watch this. This video is very important for all kayakers to watch. It might even save lives. Thanks Karl for putting this out there, it really opened my eyes! and you are shark food now!
Haha, yup Oldest Friend made me into shark bait! As I say, I am planning on taking this further with some tried and tested methods. You will see the trials - I won't hide anything!
Hope you didn't Never mind trying to get back in the Yak karl, just hope you didnt injest any of that water on 6:00 coughing and spluttering away otherwise the risk of E.cloi was high, don't forget to mention to always keep your mouth closed.
Sobering video Karl and thanks for doing this. I don't know what the answer is for the full dropstich one. I just read in Audrey Sunderland book Paddling North that she found a pdf a hindrance to getting back into an inflatable but I'll never try going without. Look forward to seeing more.
Cheers Tim. Yes watching the footage back made it clear the PFD is an issue, but like you I'm not going without so it's all about trying methods that work with it 👍😁
Thank you for this video. Please keep us all updated on your research and findings. You might save a life🥰
I will indeed, and let's hope it never comes to that! 👍😊
I was taught on sit ins, which are pretty tippy, to climb on from the back end, legs straddling the hull and inch your way forward. From the side it's important to keep flat in the water rather than upright and almost swim on. Another trick with a paddle float is to put it on one foot and use it as a step up, giving you enough elevation from buoyancy to get further across the boat and avoid it tipping.
Another tip is to tie a large dry bag full of water on the opposite side to your entry, as a counter balance. There's also an entry method called the capistrano flip, but youd probably need a lot of practice to get it sorted reliably.
In any case, let this be a valuable warning to those who haven't practiced re-entry. These are perfect conditions, imagine trying this in windy conditions or on the sea. Youd be cold, tired and panicking. Maybe if you're on open water, consider always going with a mate who can hold the boat? Great vid.
Cheers thank you 👍
I have 5 or 6 methods I'm going to try, and I reckon success will vary between crafts. The challenge with inflatables is there is so much variance in design and they all handle differently. If you've seen the stability test video you'll know what I mean. And they all handle differently to sit ons because it's like trying to mount a balloon.
A lot of your ideas are asking along the same lines and principles I've got in mind.
Thanks for watching and your comprehensive comment 👍😁
Second comment on this clip Karl. As i said before my daughter has the story- We're just back from Bassenthwaite lake from a 5 day holiday and unfortuneatly she tipped her's and fell in. It was very scary Karl. She never stood a chance of getting back into her kayak and I never had the strength to pull her into my kayak . Luckily we we'rnt to far from the shore and the wind was in our favour and Bassenthwaite lake isn't to deep around the shore line. She managed to keep a hold of my kayak while i tried my hardest to paddle - with one arm while trying to hold her with my other. It was a huge relief when she shouted she could feel the ground under her feet. I honestly thought a was gonna lose her. So from now on its gonna be practice, practice and more practice. It was a very frighting ordeal for her and me. so i hope your clips highlight the dangers of kayaking that people should practice and preach. My daughter still loves kayaking - as i do and we wont give it up but next time we'll be far better prepared for the unexpected. Ps, have u seen whats called a paddle float? I only read about them today. You can check them out on You tube, there quite a few clips about how helpful they can be. Keep up the good work M8.
Wow, I bet that was indeed a shock 😳 Sheesh! I'm so glad everything turned out ok.
Tomorrow I go back into the water. Yes I've got a paddle float to try although you only see them being used on hardshells on UA-cam. Inflatables are different beasts.
Also got several other methods to try...
Stay safe you two 👍😊
I've got a 13 foot Bluewave single person Glider kayak similar to your second kayak in this video ..
Have spent two years out on the Scottish North Sea coastline exploring cliffs and caves...
I find stuffing extra inflated dry bags in bow and Stern..
Climbing in from rear using my own fixed lines on each side helps.... having something like a small rope with feet size stirrups will give you something to push up on..
A inflated dry bag on the end of paddle can act like a inflatable spreader if you span it across your kayak. 👍👍
I tried a rope idea but I couldn't seem to make it work. It's likely I had it in the wrong place.
Hi Karl, this and your stability test Vlogs are the best you’ve ever done, I love watching your days and nights out, but here you have touched on such an important issue that we probably all ignore, getting back in and how stable are our kayaks.
If this comes over all “elf and safety” I don’t care as it could save someone’s life. The first thing that’s easy to notice is the shock of the cold you felt from being immersed, it’s seen by the RNLI as a potential killer when falling in water around the UK, the shock makes us panic breath and potential sucking in water. Second after a few minutes you were getting tired and finding it harder to have the energy to try abs get back in. As I mentioned on your stability tests, I’ve tried to do the same with my Sea Eagle 360 and Aqua Marina K375 which is very similar to Story you have. The SE is easy it has large side chambers, which when you pull to get back in, the side your pulling from stops the boat from toppling over, with the AM I had exactly the same issues you did, getting very close but then it would flip over.
I’ve bought a paddle float, but haven’t been able to try it out yet, I’m also going to make up a strop with a loop in it, which I will attach to the inner side handle, I think it might work by feeding over the opposite to the side I’m trying to enter from, and it will counter balance my weight when trying to pull myself in. I think the loop will need to go through a section of plastic pipe ( 22mm water pipe ) which is weighted so it doesn’t float up in the water.
Another thought was could you tightly attach one of your dry bags to the side of the kayak your trying to enter it should act as an outrigger and stop it tipping on top of you.
Keep up the great vlogs and hopefully we can find a solutions scan share 👍
Your thinking and ideas about boat stabilisation are along the same lines as mine and I find it reassuring that I'm not the only one. I currently have 5 ideas to test in the next trial with this :)
I think it’s great you’re doing this demonstration.. just shows how hard it is to get back on the kayak no matter what type it is. I saw some comments mentioning this but a paddle float does wonders.. could be something to add to your arsenal
It's on my agenda to try a paddle float although I suspect it will prove more difficult than in a rigid. An inflatable is fatter than a hardshell, more rounder sided, slipperier and harder to grab especially when wet. I suspect it won't be as straight forward as everyone suggests. But I could be wrong, and there's only one way to find out... 😁👍
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner you definitely make some good point! I would love to see you make that video!
@@Fishaholicboy You will 👍😁
That was amazing to watch, and pretty scary! We have a Gumotex Twist 2 and I'm just about to buy a Twist 1, as I'd like to paddle a bit more often on my own. I'd now worry that I'd become too exhausted and unable to get back in! It's also made me realise the importance of always wearing a bouyancy aid, which I haven't been doing in this really hot weather. I've got paddle leashes which I'll never leave home without in future! Great video thank you, I really look forward to seeing the next one after you've researched it a bit more.
Thanks Pauline, the follow up has already been uploaded 👍😁
This is the video that I've been waiting for - thanks for posting! Many interesting comments, but from my experience with inflatables, many will not work. Use of a paddle float would help, as would removing PFD. I've had a Gumotex Helios for over 15 years, and still haven't been able to re-enter in deep water, so I'm in no position to criticize. Karl, I appreciate the real-world nature of your videos.
Cheers JM 👍 hardshells are slimmer and easier to grab so a lot of things people suggest work well with them. Inflatables, well that's like trying to hold onto a wet balloon, and we all know how they move about in water. It's a different beast altogether. Nevertheless, I do intend to crack this and find what I consider to be the best method and principles 👍😁
That looked REALLY difficult!!
The only thing I could think of would be to use the paddle as a counterbalance. So have it laid across the boat at right angles with the blade flat to the water. As you pull yourself into the boat and it tips toward you, the paddle would push down against the water and hopefully stop it tipping so much. You'd need to hold the paddle onto the boat as you levered yourself in, but it might work? Thank you, on behalf of all your subscribers, for taking this bullet for the team!! Great video big man
I enjoyed the video. Good idea Karl.
I suppose the big difficulties are the high buoyancy of the inflatable kayaks, and the fact that they are wide. of course these features make them stable, if somewhat slow. This makes it difficult to get across the up turned boat and turn it over. So the techniques recommended for dealing with capsizes in hard shell kayaks, which are a bit easier to handle in this situation are difficult to apply. Also, we tire quite quickly when try to right the kayak in repeated attempts. Our strength to weight ratio is no doubt a factor. The PFD and any stuff we are carrying attached to the kayak make things even more cumbersome.
A capsize plan for an inflatable could therefore be get to the river/canal side and empty and relaunch and do the equivalent when at sea. Perhaps we should bear in mind that as an inflatable it can operate as a safety device when we capsize and it can help us get out of danger without having to try to get back in it immediately.
I'm looking forward to your vids of further attempts.
Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it 😊
Yes everything you've said there is right on the nail 👍
Thanks for this video, which pretty much confirms my recent experience. I only could back into my Itiwit X100 (which must be one of the most stable inflatable kayaks on the market) after taking off my pfd and putting it in the boat. For the vest both helped putting me on my back and getting my feet under the boat, and it got stuck against the side ...
You're welcome... Have you watched the follow up -3 methods that work video?
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Yes I have. I found especially interesting that at one point you got in with a big kick, which makes me think that re-entry is mainly a question of practice. And in my opinion that's the method that makes most sense, because faffing around with a paddle float I'd probably suffer from hypothermia before getting into the boat. By the way, kudos to you for doing the test that day!
@@notafan1275 cheers 👍 as long as people find these useful it's worthwhile 😁
Hi Karl, an excellent video and an enormous effort by yourself showing the difficulties. It clearly indicates the issues we all will have should a capsize occur. It's something I have to test out and master. Thanks again. 👍. I think I will try from the bow or stern 🤔
You're very welcome Steve 👍 yes it's good to practice and get a feel for this. I'll be out doing this again testing multiple new methods and ideas and you'll see the successes and fails 👍😁
wow…wanted to see a Intex K1 self rescue before buying. Saw some guy in a folding Kayak, kept swamping it. Looks like you got quite the workout
I've got a friend with a folding one who says they're nigh on impossible to re-enter 😏
Aye, it was indeed hard work that day. I was beat!
Great vlog, and also quiet scary, thanks for the footage,
Something to think about,
My main concerns prior to this was how to get on from launch
If you watch the follow on from this where I show some working methods for making this easier you might feel better 👍😊
Looking at that mate I think I will make sure and pray I never capsize. Or if I do, grab the boat and get to shallow water asap
Yup - your boat is your float - a motto worth remembering!
Brilliant Karl. I had a thought on the Story, what if you let the air out of one side so that it doesn't tip as much when you try to get back in? Or even both sides and paddle it back as an ironing board? Idle thinking really mate but fabulous work.
That's an interesting idea, I think that might work as a last resort idea. I might try that out 👍😁
@@MoreThanJustaCleanerAs a Story owner I'd be very interested to know if it works Karl.
I was going to suggest this - and I KNOW it will work because I've done it! I have a large 2 seater Intex Excursion Pro and I did the reentry experiment in the deep end of my pool and could not get back in no matter what I did. I then thought "outside the box" and de-inflated (deflated) both sides while I was in the water. This essentially turned the kayak into a flat pool-toy raft and it was then very easy to get in because I didn't have to overcome the high sides. Once I was safely laying flat face down I was able to get my pump which is always on board and holding the pump in two hands was able to inflate both sides enough to where I could then sit upright. I then pumped the sides a bit more and it became inflated enough to paddle. If everyone knew this, this could save a life. If you don't have a paddle float,or a step-loop (which may or may not work) I say do not try in vain to get back in with the sides inflated because, as you have demonstrated, it's not really possible. So I say don't waste your energy - deflate the sides and roll right on top of your (now) raft!
@@tomciano9820 the challenge with the boat we're talking about is it's much narrower, higher sided and inflates to a higher pressure. It's more likely that capsizing would happen in rough waters and that being the case a narrow raft might not work if you're on board wiggling about trying to inflate it. The principle is great but in practice it might be too much of a challenge.
It might however work well in the Pea Pod 👍😁
@@tomciano9820 Makes a lot of sense Tom.
pretty scary Karl, as i said to you before my daughter has the story kayak and now am a tad concerned how she'd cope if she fall in . Iv'e seen some people use the paddle at a right angle across the kayak to steady it before they try to " launch" them selves into there boat but never tried it my self. A good informative video - that i'll make my daughter watch and learn from- I'll be following for any updates. Great clip.
I hope it's as helpful for others as it's proving to be for me 👍😁
Take a look at inflatable paddle floats. Great effort!!
Yup, that's on my list of things to try. Have you used one?
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner I have and whilst it's still difficult, it is way easier than without as it helps stop the kayak rolling back over you. Works kind of like an outrigger.
@@Mark--Todd I've got one now, just need to test it 😁👍
I have one solution- and I KNOW it will work because I've done it! I have a large 2 seater Intex Excursion Pro and I did the reentry experiment in the deep end of my pool and could not get back in no matter what I did. I then thought "outside the box" and de-inflated (deflated) both sides while I was in the water. This essentially turned the kayak into a flat pool-toy raft and it was then very easy to get in because I didn't have to overcome the high sides. Once I was safely laying flat face down I was able to get my pump which is always on board and holding the pump in two hands was able to inflate both sides enough to where I could then sit upright. I then pumped the sides a bit more and it became inflated enough to paddle. If everyone knew this, this could save a life. If you don't have a paddle float,or a step-loop (which may or may not work) I say do not try in vain to get back in with the sides inflated because, as you have demonstrated, it's not really possible. So I say don't waste your energy - deflate the sides and easily roll right on top of your (now) raft! I was able to inflate it good enough with my manual pump using both hands and taking my time, but it would be MUCH easier to use a rechargeable electric pump that is kept in a waterproof bag.
The challenge with the boat we're talking about is it's much narrower, higher sided and inflates to a higher pressure. It's more likely that capsizing would happen in rough waters and that being the case a narrow raft might not work if you're on board wiggling about trying to inflate it. The principle is great but in practice it might be too much of a challenge.
It might however work well in the Pea Pod 👍😁
Great vid. Brave effort. Yes the twist should be entered like a worm.. the wooden benches on the gumotex palava canoe make it good to get in sideways.
Thank you. I felt it was important to try this with very little knowledge. Watching the footage back combined with the experience has provided lots of thoughts, ideas and new methods to test - keep an eye out for the follow up 👍😁
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner yes it's suprising how quick you learn when cold and wet!
@@kadodge8432 indeed 👍😊
Just watched this and I have the same story kayak. Hope I never come off it haha.
Although I thought you nearly had it, I felt like when you got close the only thing stopping you was because you seemed to square to the kayak. If you had angled your body a little I think you'd of had the room to then swing your body round
In the follow on to this I explored several effective methods of re-entry 👍😁
Now play at double speed - twice the fun!
Not something I've tried to do as I only (thus far) tackle the canals, but I expect you need to keep as much of your body in the water whilst remounting, thereby lowering your centre of gravity and reducing tipping and the amount your legs go underneath. Tackling them from the end, rather than the side could allow you to slide your body on. You could perhaps remove some air, or adding water, thereby lowering the kayak in the water. Lots of experiments yet to do Karl! 👍🏼🌊🛶
There is indeed lots of experimenting to do... And I have some ideas now too :D
Please do more research and up load here, it is a very valuable lesson to be learned from this video, I have a few theory's myself i OWN A 15.5 foot Riber , this summer we will try righting the craft in the sea.
I certainly will - you will see the fails and successes.
Incidentally I've got a Riber 420 :D
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner yes I seen you video on that , and as per your recommendation I bought 2 single paddles to use, have not tried them yet.
@@togiduck if you've got the same or similar Riber to me, you'll love them 👍😊
Hiya Karl, infomative vid as always! My 2p, first time out in my story I capsized but got back in. few things that helped me.. Firstly my skeg was fitted, not a huge area , but anything that aids making the kayak harder to rotate in the water helps. ", I have a powerful scissor kick too!
Maybe next time, when you were trying to pull yourself in using the opposing internal handle with one hand, have the oar in the other hand close to the paddle head over the far side with the rest of the paddle in the water to act as a very long skeg? In fact, thinking about it.. you could even try using the velcro oar storage strap on the story to hold the paddle in situ?
Keep us posted!
Cheers Mick, will do 👍😊
bloody good work trying this out. only vids out there are for weather deck boats where you spin out whilst under the water. Good on ya man
bought a paddle float off the back of all this
Good stuff, I'm glad you've found it useful. I take it you watched the follow up on this one too?
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner sure did. where do we contribute to your medical bills from your frequent swims....antibiotics etc ???
@@dpm819 😁 thankfully none incurred so far, however contributions to future risks can be made through the YT $ feature 😁👍
Hi Karl
Sea Eagle kayaks have instructional video on how to reenter inflatable kayak. Would seem suitable method for use with
the gumotex twist kayak.Notice the use of the ' scissorkick ' to aid climbing into kayak.
Could not resist mentioning the following U tube video. ' Sea Eagles along the Great Glen Canoe Trail '
Thoroughly enjoy watching your kayaking videos, long may they continue.
DaveJ
Cheers 👍😊
David, I’ve tried doing that method with my Aqua Marina, i found it very hard and tiring it kept flipping over.
@@geoffknight7322 it's not as easy as that chap makes it look.
@@geoffknight7322 Confession. Due to physical constraints I purchased a Sea Eagle 385 FT inflatable kayak rather
than heavier rigid kayak. In the event of a capsize I would be unable to lift myself back into kayak as shown on video. I would aim to propel myself,kayak, paddle to bank or shallower water. I referenced the video for info.
@@davidjenkin9611 I like your honesty, it’s good to know our limitations and not to think we’re all superman. Where I kayak a lot the bank is very sheer, or has lots of trees and roots, it’s probably not suitable for re entering, and I have no intention of trying it out!
Hi to start with loving your videos, plenty of very usefull information, one thig i would say watching you trying to get back in to the kayak was your inflatable life vest seemed to be a real hindrance, perhaps one of the slimmer vest would help a little so the bulk of the vest wasnt in the way
Thanks for your kind words Stuart 👍😁
That best is actually one of my slimmer ones. The foam ones are thicker.
Another good video, I wonder if the inflated vest is more of a hinderance forcing you on your back and forcing legs up? Looked tiring :-)
Funnily enough we're just talking about that as we speak.
Yes it certainly did although it wasn't apparent until I watched the footage back. And as Oldest Friend says in his comment, he had the same thought too and we were chatting about it as your comment came up :D
I have the story kayak and on first try I was unable to get back in however the lake was quite rough, I had difficulty actually getting in from the-shore so my son usually holds the back. I have gone out from protected sea to river without capsizing but would not go out alone and I will try a capsized re entry but based on the difficulty I have no confidence I will be able to get back in if I capsize😢
I do think it's doable Chris and I have 5 or 6 methods to try... I am going to revisit this and share the results 👍
What about a sit-inside kayak, such as the Intex Challenger?
Yeah good question... Unfortunately I don't have one anymore 😔
Finally got hold of my SUP / Kayak hybrid.
Bad news: no pump included and no paddle(!) included. The place I bought it will throw in a paddle though.
Good news: repair kit has glue in it! Will be going out on it soon I'll let you know how it goes. I don't have an email address for you or owt so I'll have to post here...
Good stuff. I'm gonna order one of them too. My contact deets are on my channel home page somewhere 👍
could you partially fill the canoe with water and enter it then?
That's an interesting idea! 🤔 The Pea Pod would be the easiest to get water in, but I did manage to get back in that one. The higher sided Story would be quite difficult to get water in. Nevertheless, I can see your thinking 👍😊
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner could you see how full it could be with water and still carry you? I suspect it could be very full, and hence lower in the water. Then a bilge pump at work for a few minutes should raise the boat with you in it
It's a good idea but as I say, getting water into the boat would be the problem - I don't thing I could get the boat underwater in order to get water in - it's too buoyant.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner it's definitely a good reason to learn to roll the canoe. Thigh straps a must have for that
Everyone should take the time to figure out best open water entry for their vessel. Take the time in chest high water to find the best entry so when you are out there you are not trying 50 different approaches.
The key is doing it fast. When you flip just grab a hold of the kayak and relax, gather your strength. Then when you feel like you are ready do the entry as fast as you can, don't give the kayak time to turn.
A tip, if you have anything that floats use it for leverage to bounce yourself up. Preferably this thing should be on a leash of some kind. This is something you can even think about ahead of time, even specifically getting something for this purpose.
Good tips there 👍😁 have you watched the follow up to this?
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner Yes I just watched it, looks like you had the right thinking all along. I just got a Sandbanks Style kayak and its a lot like the GoPlus that you have, super easy to get into. I use it as a platform to snorkel off of jumping off it willingly, that's how confident I am that I can get back in every time. The high sided kayaks seem to be a nightmare to get back into though for sure. Then again they are really only for still waters, like a canoe. You wouldn't do ocean or whitewater in a canoe. Well I suppose you can do ocean but you would have to be exceptionally careful, one flip and you are done.
Cheers!
@@laddanerskit3199 indeed. A friend of mine went over in a canoe on Loch Ness. Thankfully they were close enough to shore to wade it 😁
Test is test but look after your own safety too 👍
Oh I will. I won't do anything like this unless there's someone else with me - just in case!
Well done!
I was exhausted! The follow up to this is better trying different methods 👍😁
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner I will watch it next - I am used to climbing back on a windsurfer, but dropstitch kayak is something else!
@@wouterkolkman it is indeed 👍😁
@@MoreThanJustaCleanerwatched your 2nd video:-)
@@wouterkolkman what did you think?
I'm not a kayaker (yet...never say never) but I'm a little shocked to hear there isn't much out there about this.
Yeah - there are a couple where people just easily get in, but they haven't got the same type of air vest as me, which does make a diff. There isn't any real instructional ones where someone breaks everything down and uses various options as might be available... It's now in the offing :D
I've been thinking about this and the only thing I can come up with is a length of paracord tied to the handle on the side opposite to you, with a loop you could place a foot on (not in) and try to counter the 'tip-over' with that.
@@justvin7214 you're thinking along the same lines as me... Except I'm planning on using the paddle leash 👍
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner In my experience if duct-tape doesn't fix it paracord can lol. Can't wait to see the next trials Karl 🙂
I can't wait either! hahaha
Its quite worrying knowing that if i had got tipped over using the story in middle of loch lomond in choppy water , i would have had literally no chance of getting back in 😮... the go plus is definitely my next inflatable
Bear in mind I was quite exhausted doing this. And have you seen the re-entry method video?
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner no ill have a look, but that's in a canal , when lochs turn choppy and ur away from water bank it would be 20x harder . Prob impossible.. the go plus looks like a paddle board with a seat and extremely steady.
@@artsy38 it is indeed much steadier and easier to get back in 👍😊
karl my Razor X1 is about the same size and shape so i have to try it
@@StevesOutdoorCameraAdventures0 it's worth practicing for the confidence 👍😁
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner I have to do it Karl
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner did you do a follow up on that video Karl
@@StevesOutdoorCameraAdventures0 I did ua-cam.com/video/CETqRQV4wIU/v-deo.html
@@StevesOutdoorCameraAdventures0 i also tested a swim buoy as a paddle float with the Story
ua-cam.com/video/rUdoS2xvg-4/v-deo.html
Was really interested to see how this would or wouldn't work out! It's something I very much need to test myself in my Story Kayak! Like you, I am not confident in the water and therefore, if I did do something wrong and tip out I'd need to be able to get back in. I've been a chicken up until this point as its does scare me. But as the weather warms up I am definitely going to do some practicing of this myself! You just never know what could happen while you're out and therefore this is an important lesson every kayaker should undertake!
I agree :) Having now done an experiential test and got a feel for the issues I now have some ideas to test out and as you might expect, you will see the fails and the successes 👍
You can't pull yourself into the boat as you experienced, you also should kick out/up your body from the water by your legs on top of the boat at the same time, your one hand grab the closest side of boat the other hand tries to reach the other side.. Kick out yourself from water and grab the other side of boat while you put more weight of your body to other side of boat than snake in. Or try this "padle float rescue"
You need to watch the next video in this 2 part series ua-cam.com/video/CETqRQV4wIU/v-deo.html
Use a paddle float put it on your foot
You need to watch the follow up video 👍😁
I saw a good video on this by a large guy that shows anyone of any size can do it. Video title on YT is ''How to get back on your kayak (Larger Person Version)
''
Yup, seen it. The only snag is it's a hard shell and inflatables do move/handle differently.
That looked REALLY difficult!!
The only thing I could think of would be to use the paddle as a counterbalance. So have it laid across the boat at right angles with the blade flat to the water. As you pull yourself into the boat and it tips toward you, the paddle would push down against the water and hopefully stop it tipping so much. You'd need to hold the paddle onto the boat as you levered yourself in, but it might work? Thank you, on behalf of all your subscribers, for taking this bullet for the team!! Great video big man
It was difficult and I was knackered. A paddle float might help and it's on my list of things to try. I did try using the paddle but it didn't work - I need the float. I also have another idea using the paddle and paddle leash, plus a few others to try.
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner of course, in MOST circumstances (not all, granted) you could get to the bank and maybe wedge the boat up against it to help - it was a great idea to try and do it in the middle of the water but hopefully most real world scenarios will allow the help of the bank
@@molsi01 absolutely, but worst case scenarios and all that... I mean, what if you're in a lake or on the sea 😳😬
@@MoreThanJustaCleaner oh I know, that's why I said most scenarios - you're absolutely right, knowing how to get back in when you don't have a bank or the bottom of the waterway is definitely a skill to learn.
I agree, the piece of mind will be worth it's weight!