| Getting In and Out |
You need to practise balancing your weight between the bank
and the kayak. Remember not to use your paddles when getting out,
but just keep them close at hand. See photo.
Lifting and carrying kayaks.
Good lifting technique is simply about using a few basic principles.
There are a couple of words we can use to jog our memory every-time
we are about to lift something:
SAFE:
S Stop
A Assess the situation
F Formulate a plan of how to safely lift the equipment
E Execute that plan
Another word which is a useful check before we lift something is:
LITE:
L Load - look at the load
I Individual Can the individual(s) safety lift the equipment?
T Task Is this a reasonable task?
E Environment Is the environment safe. (I.E go round slippery
banks banks rather that over them if necessary).
The following principles are also very helpful when thinking
about lifting:
1. Where ever possible, always share the load.
2. Keep the spine in line
3. Slide and glide rather than lift if possible
4. Make sure the load is properly balanced.
Always work on the basic that we only have one back so protect
it!!
Seal
Launch
A Three Star paddler should be able to "seal" launch from a high bank or equivalent structure. There are a few key things to remember when doing this.
1. Wear a helmet if there is the remotest chance of banging your head!!
2. Never land flat - this can hurt you back!!
3. Only launch from moderate heights - I would suggest a max. of 6 feet.
4. Practise launching off smaller drops first.
5. Aim to enter the water at about a 45 degree angle by adjusting your body weight forwards or backwards to adjust your boat angle as you slide off the side.
6. Take care not to create a disturbance to other rivers users, and avoid bank erosion.
7. Get a friend to help you launch if necessary.
Securing kayaks to a car
Securing the boat
onto a roof rack or trailer correctly at the end of the paddle
is essential for safety.
Most paddlers tend to use purpose made straps when securing a boat to a roof rack, and ropes when securing boats to trailers. It is also well worth while investing in a quality roof rack particularly if you intend to carry several boats on the roof at once. One boat can normally be carried on a roof rack upside down as shown in the photo.
