Racing kayak rescue technique: How to do a deep water rescue in a K1 or racing kayak

In this video we demonstrate a way of doing a deep water peer rescue in K1s or flatwater racing kayaks (sprint or marathon kayak). There are various different rescue techniques a paddler can use but this one may be useful to you in a situation where you need to get the paddler out of the water very quickly, for example when the water is cold. It requires practise though so we hope this video breakdown will help you with that.
This is one way of getting a paddler back into a boat quickly if they capsize in deep water and can't get to a suitable bit of bank quickly. The idea is that they can then paddle to a bank and empty fully.
If you have any questions please comment below and we’ll respond as soon as we can.
This video was filmed at Plymouth Marjon Sport and Health Centre: www.marjon.ac.uk/marjon-sport/
The Outdoor Education staff and students, and the staff at Plymouth Marjon Sport & Health Centre helped to make this video and saved us from having to do it in the cold!
We plan to make some more videos like this so don't forget to like the video if it's been helpful and subscribe to be kept up to date with new content! 😀

[@WaynesWorldUnlimited]

Oh, I miss canoeing kayaking this is wicked I haven’t done it for over 20 years. I’m starting to admire your adventures.

[@elenaoutdoors]

I miss it too, haven't been out paddling since we made this video!

[@eliholmes3310]

Thanks! I have started teaching this to our beginners who are in stable sprint kayaks. Works great and is easy for them to learn. Definitely better than having them swim to shore which takes a long time and they get cold.

[@elenaoutdoors]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, it’s a really handy one to have in the rescue repertoire. It’s saved me a long swim in cold water many times 😊

[@thimHH]

We do it differently: Both K1 next to each other in the same direction. I use my paddle as a bridge between the rear cockpit rim of the other boat and the front cockpit tip of my boat. Then the other paddler can push himself up between the boats. This is from my experience even very very stable and safe.

[@heribertramroth2360]

Perfect, I love it. Well explained. And I very much like the break down into the various sections of action!

[@elenaoutdoors]

Thanks so much for the feedback Heribert! Glad you like it. I hope you can have fun practising but ultimately not have to use it too often 😂

[@markblanch2905]

Incroyable!!! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@neilusingmyphonefletcher5950]

Beautiful. But, honestly, can everyone who can sit in proper K1 and do a sculling draw with one hand and a wing paddle put their hand up? The rescuer is real class.

[@paulus999x]

Fantasico

[@AdeClimb]

Thanks for this, very clear on the method but ive just got one question. I'm new to this style of Kayak but previously used plastic boats as a kid where we could do a T rescue to get some of the water out first. You mention use of air bags but have you got any other tips? Would you do this method first, then use a bailer once back in the cockpit?

[@elenaoutdoors]

Hi, yes, exactly, the aim with this technique is to quickly get the paddler out of the water and then use a pump, or paddle to an appropriate section of bank where they can get out safely and empty fully. The issue with these boats is that they can break if you try to do a T rescue and they can also be very unstable, which is why, for many people, it’s better to quickly get them back in the boat and worry about the rest of the water later, particularly in cold water/weather. Having plenty of buoyancy in the first place is so useful to avoid problems. There are other ways to rescue, of course, but we find this one is useful when swimming to the bank is going to take too long. I hope that helps and answers your question. Let me know if you have any a more questions 😊

[@Kuba-vd9me]

what about wet exit on k1?

[@Alastair510]

Wet exit?
You just fall out of these.

[@Mr.Bryan1234]

I can barely keep my boat upright if i try doing this ill end up flipping 😂 make sure you all use a life jacket if paddling alone or in a area where you can’t swim to shore or dock in case you take a swim!

[@jetducks7550]

If your stable enough to do that you shouldn’t flip even if there’s a 5 foot wave on every side

[@elenaoutdoors]

Unfortunately even the most stable paddlers get into trouble sometimes - broken paddle, submerged object, loss of concentration etc. You're right that it does require some stability from both rescuer and paddler in the water but the rafting effect is surprisingly stable for such notoriously unstable boats. The person being rescued also needs a fair bit of shoulder mobility and strength so it won't work in all situations. Practising in a safe place is a good way to get an idea of when, where and for whom it might be useful or not. But you need to practise rescuing and being rescued 😊

[@canbe9689]

These racing kayaks aren't like ordinary kayaks. Their stability is rated from 1 to 9 with 1 being like sitting on a log with the stability coming from a perfect stroke with a winged paddle. A gust of wind, messing up the stroke with a winged paddle (very easy to do if the blade has lots of twist in it), catching your paddle in a clump of weed or on a submerged branch can easily capsize you. Both rescuer and the paddler in the water in this video display great skill and balance during this rescue. I never paddle my racing kayak far from dry land. I'd like to learn this technique but would try to avoid putting myself in the situation where it might be needed. In a strong wind even these two skilled individuals would probably struggle to perform this rescue. Thank you for making this video, I had no idea this sort of rescue was possible with racing kayaks.