The idea of being upside down in a kayak isn't appealing to anyone, and it is especially challenging for beginners and children. However, flipping upside down while whitewater kayaking is inevitable. It is essential to teach beginners how to get out of their kayak when the flip, also known as the wet exit. Let's take a closer look at what a wet exit is and how we teach it at 4Corners Riversports.
What is a Wet Exit
A wet exit is a way to get out of a capsized kayak by pulling the spray skirt off the cockpit, removing the knees from the thigh braces, and pushing the boat away. It is an essential skill for all kayakers and is one of the first things we teach in our paddle school classes and camps.
A paddler must know how to get themselves out of an upside-down kayak before they get on the water, even on flat water.
The Steps of a Wet Exit
An effective wet exit involves four controlled steps. Skipping any one of the steps can result in a slower exit, more time underwater, and even injury.
Step One: Tuck
The first step is to tuck. To tuck in kayaking means the paddler leans forward, bringing their torso and head toward the cockpit of the boat. It is good practice to immediately tuck when the kayak flips, even in a pool, lake, or flatwater.
Tucking protects the paddler's face and head from impact, especially in shallow water. Tucking also sets the paddler up to find and pull their tab. From the back deck, it is impossible to find the skirt's pull tab. In other words, tucking sets the paddler up for Step Two of the wet exit.
Step Two: Find Pull Tab
Before a paddler can pull the skirt off the cockpit and release themselves from the kayak, they have to find the pull tab. The easiest way to do this is to start with your hands at your hips and find the edge of the cockpit. Then move your hands along the cockpit edge to the front, where the pull tab is.
Step Three: Pull the Tab
Once you have found the pull tab, the next step is to pull it to remove the skirt from the rim. Use two hands and pull the skirt forward (toward the bow of the kayak) and up.
Step Four: Push Off
Once the spray skirt is free from the cockpit, you have to push the kayak off. Bring your knees to the middle of the boat and your hands to the boat near your hips. Then, push once to get your butt out and twice to get your feet out.
Teaching the Wet Exit
Ensuring students have a positive experience being upside down and practicing the wet exit is essential to creating a good lesson environment. We take great care throughout the wet exit lesson to ensure students are comfortable and prepared.
On Land Practice
Before students get in the water, we practice the four steps of the wet exit on land. This gives them a chance to develop the muscle memory of tucking, finding their pull tab, pulling it, and pushing off the boat in a familiar setting.
Controlled Flip First
Once students verbally agree to trying a wet exit, we get them into a pool or other flat water, controlled environment. One-on-one, the students and instructor go over the steps again. Once the students are ready, we manually and gently flip them over and immediately right the kayak.
This gives the student the sensation of being underwater without the pressure of remembering the wet exit steps. This also develops trust with the instructor that when we tell the student we will be there to right them, they understand that is true.
The Wet Exit
After another verbal run-through of the steps, the students elect to flip themselves or have the instructor flip them. When they are ready, the boat goes over, and they perform the wet exit by themselves, without assistance.
Each student performs this wet exit one at a time with the instructor close at hand. If a student is having difficulty or struggling, the instructor is there to immediately right the kayak.
Encouragement
The first wet exit can be a daunting experience for new kayakers. We provide encouragement throughout the process to make students feel rewarded and safe. The goal is always to teach students the necessary skills while making the experience fun, rewarding, and safe.
Final Thoughts
The wet exit, or maneuver used to get out of an upside-down kayak, is a must-have skill for whitewater kayakers. The wet exit involves four steps and is easy to teach with the right combo of on-land practice, controlled rolls, and encouragement. Check out our website for more info about our paddle school summer camps and lessons.
