A couple of weeks ago I took a ride down to Sabin Point Park in Riverside to paddle out to the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. It ended up being a wasted trip since I brought pieces from two different paddles that didn't fit together. I decided to give it another try today.
Sabin Point is a 4-acre park juts out into the Providence River at end of Shore Road in Riverside just across from Pawtuxet Village. The Providence River is almost a mile wide here so wind, waves, tidal currents, and large boat traffic are common. There was a strong wind from the south as I launched from the boat ramp and headed north along the shore toward the Ponham Rocks Lighthouse.
Pomham Rocks Light (aka Pomham Lighthouse) was built in 1871 and is one of a several lighthouses that uses the same plan by award-winning architect Albert Dow. A nearly identical lighthouse stands on Rose Island in Newport. I paddled out into the wind and small chop toward the lighthouse to take some pictures. Unfortunately, my camera lens got fogged, and I had no way to clean it. This is the only picture that I got.
This summer has been dry and the rivers have been low. Two flatwater trips that I was scheduled to lead for RICKA this summer had to be cancelled due to low water – Pawcatuck (Bradford to Potter Hill) and Charles (Needham to Wellesley). I had a trip on the calendar today at Tully Lake, but even that was low. Rather than cancelling again, I decided to move today’s trip to the Narrow River. It is tidal, so I knew there would be water.
The Narrow River, also known at the Pettaquamscutt River, is the tidal extension of the Mattatuxet River. It begins below the Carr Pond Dam at the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and flows south for 6-miles forming the border between South Kingstown and Narragansett before entering Pettaquamscutt Cove and flowing out into Narragansett Bay above the Narragansett Town Beach and the Dunes Club.
Gilbert Stuart Stream
There are five distinct sections of the Narrow River – the Upper Pond, the Lower Pond, the "Upper Narrows" from Bridgetown Road and Middlebridge Road, the “Flats” at Pettaquamscutt Cove, and the “Lower Narrows” at Cormorant Point where the river flows into the sea.
My original plan was to do a round-trip on the section from the Sprague Bridge on Boston Neck Road to Bridgetown Road – about 6-miles. The tide was high at 11:30, so we would launch around 10:30 and paddle up on an incoming tide and back down on an outgoing tide. As it turned out, we didn't follow that plan.
Birds at Pettaquamscutt Cove
We put in at the Sprague Bridge and headed upstream into the "Flats" at Pettaquamscutt Cove and the John H Chafee National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1973, the refuge includes over 300-acres of saltmarsh around Pettaquamscutt Cove that provides habitat for shore birds like gulls, egrets, herons, and cormorants. For many years it was also home to the little red shack on Sedge Island, which was demolished in 2016.
We continued past Middlebridge Road and the Narrow River Fishing Area on Pollock Avenue. This is also a nice put-in, but has limited parking for a group. From there we entered the Upper Narrows between Middlebridge Road and Bridgetown Road. This section of the river is lined with boat docks and summer houses.
Cormorant Point
When we got to Bridgetown Road we decided to change the plan and keep going. We paddled up the Lower Pond, through Casey's Sill, across the Upper Pond, and up Gilbert Stuart Stream as far as we could before turning around.
The trip back was a bit of a slog. The wind picked up and it actually takes several hours for the tide to turn that far upstream - who knew. We were paddling into a headwind and against the tide. Once we got back to Sprague Bridge, Tony and I paddled down to the beach at the Lower Narrows. Total distance for the day was around 12-miles - glad I was in my sea kayak.
With most of the crew up in the Adirondacks, I agreed to lead the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club Trip on the Providence River.
The Providence River is formed at the convergence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers in downtown Providence. It flows south through Providence for a mile to its convergence with the Seekonk River at Bold Point/India Point. It then opens up into Providence Harbor and continues south for 8-miles to the narrows between Conimicut Point in Warwick and Nayatt Point in Barrington where it becomes Narraganset Bay.
Skyline from Water Street
We had a group of 14 boats – all kayaks, although Danny joined us at Water Street in his canoe. It was high tide when we put in at Bold Point and headed out across Providence Harbor towards the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. We passed the tugboats and paddled under the I-way Bridge and through the hurricane barrier into downtown Providence.
Providence was established in 1636 by Puritan theologian Roger Williams who was fleeing religious persecution in Boston. It became a trading center in the 18th century, a manufacturing center in the 19th century, and a financial center in the 20th century. This history can be seen today in the warehouses, mills and office buildings that line the river.
Skyline from the Cove
In the heart of Providence the river passes through Waterplace Park. Completed in 1994, Waterplace Park includes pedestrian bridges over the river that connect over a mile of cobblestone-paved walkways known as the Riverwalk. The park is home to the popular summertime Waterfire events
We continued up the Woonasquatucket River into the Cove at Waterplace Park. We paddled under Providence Place before turning around, and had a leisurely paddle back through the city.
Our annual summer vacation at the beach ended today, so packing up to go home trumped paddling this morning. With family, work and weather I missed a few days of paddling, but that’s OK. I was still able to get out to most of my favorites including Potter Pond, the Harbor of Refuge, Jamestown Harbor, the Narrow River and Wickford. I missed some old favorites like Dutch Harbor and Fort Wetherill. Of course, I spent a lot of time paddling on Point Judith Pond including another fun trip with RICKA.
Denny and Ann’s grandnephew Zach is visiting from the UK and I offered to take him out kayaking. Denny and Zach used the kayaks from the cottage. The wind was gusting, but we still spent an hour paddling around Ram Island.
My first choice today was to paddle at Dutch Harbor, but it was fogged in. Instead, I headed over to Wickford to paddle Wickford Harbor.
Wickford was established in the early 17th century when Roger Williams purchased land from the Narragansett Indians and established a trading post. In 1637, Williams sold the land to Richard Smith who constructed a large fortified house on the site, giving the house its nickname the “Castle”. That house was burned during King Philip's War, and the structure that can be seen from the put-in today was built in 1678.
Wickford Shipyard
Wickford grew to become a major port and shipbuilding center, and today contains a large collection of 17th and 18th century homes. It is a picturesque village whose streets are lined with shops and restaurants, and whose harbor is filled with sailboats and yachts.
I paddled out from Wilson Park into Mill Cove, then around Cornelius Island into Fishing Cove, and then out to the breakwater. From there I paddled around the outer harbor before returning to Wilson Park.
I need to have just the right conditions to paddle around the breakwater at the Harbor of Refuge, and this morning I did - clear skies, calm winds, low tide at 6:00 a.m. and swells of just 1-foot. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Even after construction of the Point Judith Light (c. 1810/1857) conditions remained treacherous at the tip of Point Judith and a Federal project was initiated to construct over 3-miles of jetties to provide a secure breakwater refuge for shipping. Work began in 1890 with construction of the east (3,640 feet) and west (2,240 feet) jetties, and was completed in 1910 with construction the V-shaped center jetty (6,970 feet). A 1,500-foot opening was left for the east passage, and a 1,200-foot opening was left for the west passage.
Holes at the "V" in the center jetty
While the jetties were originally constructed to provide a refuge for ships traveling between Boston and New York during bad weather, they also protected the newly constructed Port of Galilee. In 1910, the Town of South Kingstown and the State of Rhode Island dredged the current Breachway and stabilized it with stone jetties. Then, in the 1930's, the State of Rhode Island dredged an anchorage basin just inside the Breachway and built wharves to create a port for large, ocean-going fishing vessels. This allowed the Galilee to become one of the largest fishing ports on the east coast
I lugged my boat and gear across the beach at Camp Cronin and launched at around 6:30 a.m. I was amazed how much damage was done by last year’s winter storms. The navigation tower at the east end of the center jetty was completely destroyed. Huge boulders were pushed aside leaving large gaps in the seawall, even at low tide. It's hard to imagine that water can move those huge rocks. I paddled by the cormorants and other shore birds resting on the seawall out to the tip of the "V" in the center jetty before heading back.
East end of the center jetty before and after the winter storms of 2024
It was foggy this morning, so I decided to head over to Jamestown to paddle around Jamestown Harbor and get some pictures of the Newport Bridge. I put in at the East Ferry Boat Ramp and headed out into the harbor.
The Newport Bridge was completed in 1969 and is the longest suspension bridge in New England. It spans the East Passage of Narragansett Bay from Jamestown to Newport. The main span is over 1,600 feet long, and the road deck is more 200 feet above the water. The towers themselves are over 400 feet tall.
Clingstone or the "House on the Rock"
I followed the boat moorings down to the Dumplings - a grouping of rocks just off Bull Point. The most prominent of the Dumplings is Clingstone or the "House on the Rock". This massive post and beam home was built in 1905 and has been recently restored.
It turned out to be a nice morning with nice calm conditions. The fog burned off to hazy sunshine by the time I finished.
The kids are visiting this weekend, so I decided to stay around the cottage and paddle down to Galilee. I paddled down the east side of Great Island into Bluff Hill Cove and then into the Port of Galilee.
The Port of Galilee was created in 1935 when a harbor was dredged and a dock constructed at the mouth of Point Judith Pond. Connected to the ocean by the Breachway and the Harbor of Refuge, both completed in 1910, Galilee eventually became the home port for much of Rhode Island's fishing fleet. I paddled past the fishing trawlers, lobster boats and charter boats before heading back. I forgot to bring my camera, but here is a picture from last year
This year my annual Point Judith Pond trip for RICKA coincided with the Blessing of the Fleet in Galilee. This is usually a flatwater trip, but since there was no sea kayak trip on the calendar, I posted in the sea kayak board as well.
Point Judith Pond, or the Great Salt Pond, is located along the border of Narragansett and South Kingstown, and is the second largest of the Rhode Island’s South County salt ponds. It is a shallow, four-mile long pond located behind the barrier beaches and sand dunes that form Point Judith. The pond is 20 miles around with many pretty islands and coves to explore.
Group picture form the cottage
We met in Marina Park at the hand-carried boat ramp next to the Point Judith Yacht Club at 10:00, and were on the water by 10:30. We had 7 boats – all kayaks, and a nice mix of flatwater and sea kayak paddlers. Winds were from the north, but switched to the east later in the day
We headed out into the Upper Pond from Marina Park, paddled through the Narrows and out into Point Judith Pond. We checked out the osprey nest at Billington Cove and explored the islands and coves in the upper Point Judith Pond before heading to down to Gardner Island where we crossed the boat channel.
View from the top of the Breachway
We paddled past Beach Island and across the top of Ram Island before paddling down the east side of Ram Island to Great Island. Michelle came out and snapped a few pictures before we headed to the east side of Great Island to Galilee.
It was a little after 12:00 when we paddled into Galilee. We stayed out the boat channel and paddled down to the last red buoys above the Breachway. With the tide going out, the current kept pulling us down into the Breachway. We saw the fire boat come through and then got shooed away. We headed up to Dog Beach for lunch.
Approaching Pine Tree Point
After lunch, we crossed the boat channel and paddled up the west side of Great Island. This area is shallow at low tide, but there was enough water that the boats could use this area to zip up and down the pond and avoid the speed restrictions in the boat channel. I was glad when we could cross over to Harbor Island to get out of the traffic.
Between the wind and the boat traffic there was a lot of choppy water as we paddled along Harbor Island. We rounded Pine Tree Point, paddled through the Narrows and back down the Upper Pond. It was another great day.
I was back on the Narrow River today to paddle the Narrows from Middlebridge Road to Bridgetown Road and the Lower and Upper Ponds.
The Narrow River, also known at the Pettaquamscutt River, is the tidal extension of the Mattatuxet River. It begins below the Carr Pond Dam at the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and flows south for 6-miles forming the border between South Kingstown and Narragansett before entering Pettaquamscutt Cove and then flowing out into Narragansett Bay.
View up Lower Pond
There are five distinct sections of the Narrow River – the Upper Pond, the Lower Pond, the “Narrows” from Bridgetown Road to Middlebridge Road, the “Flats” at Pettaquamscutt Cove, and the “Narrows” where the river flows into Narragansett Bay at Cormorant Point.
I paddle the Flats and Narrows at Cormorant Point yesterday, so today I put in at the Narrow River Fishing Area off Pollock Avenue and paddled upstream into the “Narrows” between Bridgetown Road and Middlebridge Road. This section of the river is lined with boat docks and summer houses.
Above Bridgetown Road, I paddled through the Lower Pond, and into the Upper Pond. I saw racing shells on the Lower Pond and a family of river otters in the Upper Pond. The trip back was a bit of a slog – into the current and the wind, but it was still a nice trip.
I headed over to the Narrow River today to paddle around Pettaquamscutt Cove and down to the Narrows at Cormorant Point
I put in at the Sprague Bridge on Boston Neck Road at the John H Chafee National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1973, the refuge includes over 300-acres of saltmarsh around Pettaquamscutt Cove that provides habitat for shore birds like egrets, herons, cormorants and osprey. Then I headed down to the beach at the Narrows. It was high tide, so it was easy to get out into the rocks at Cormorant Point.
It was a bright sunny morning so I decided to stay local and paddle over to Potter Pond.
Potter Pond is connected to Point Judith Pond by a tidal inlet that flows through Snug Harbor and the 182-acre Succotash Marsh. The barrier beach that forms East Matunuck State Beach creates the southern shore of the pond. The northern end is a wooded kettle pond. With the exception of the houses along Succotash Road to the east and Matunuck to the west, much of the land around Potter Pond is undeveloped.
Beach in Matunuck
I paddled down the west side of Great Island before crossing over to Snug Harbor and entering the inlet into Succotash Marsh. The morning was clear and I got a great view over to East Matunuck State Beach. After paddling under the bridge at Succotash Road, I played in the current in the channel where the inlet enters the pond.
Once in Potter Pond I headed west to the Ocean Avenue Waterfront Access in Matunuck. The paths were overgrown, but I made it up to the beach. When I returned to the inlet was able to paddle up with no difficulty – the current was gone. I paddled up the east side of Great Island through Bluff Hill Cove and Welcome Cove on the way back to the cottage.
I slept late this morning, so I stayed close to the cottage and paddled around Upper Point Judith Pond. I will be leading a RICKA trip on Point Judith Pond on Saturday, so I wanted to check out the put-in at Marina Park.
Unlike Rhode Island’s other large salt ponds (Ninigret, Green Hill, Quonochontaug and Winnapaug) that are coastal lagoons, Point Judith Pond is an estuary where the Saugatucket River empties to the sea. I paddled up past Ram Island and Harbor Island, through the Narrows into the Upper Pond, and into the Saugatucket River at Silver Spring Cove. Then I paddled back round the top of Point Judith Pond before crossing at Gardner, Beach and Jonathan Islands.
We have been renting a vacation house at Horseshoe Point on Point Judith Pond for the last 13-years. I always start off my paddling adventures with a trip around Great Island. This year it was a little cloudy and a little windy, but not too bad.
Point Judith Pond, or the Great Salt Pond, is the second largest of Rhode Island’s South County salt ponds. Separated in the south behind sand dunes and barrier beaches, Point Judith Pond is connected to the ocean through the Breachway at Galilee.
View to Snug Harbor from Galilee
Great Island is one of three large islands on the pond - the other two are Harbor Island and Ram Island. Great Island is about 2-miles long and 1/2-mile wide, and full of summer cottages. I paddled down to Frank’s Neck before heading into Bluff Hill Cove and paddling under the bridge into Galilee.
The fishing village of Galilee was developed in 1935 when the State of Rhode Island dredged out a harbor suitable for commercial fishing vessels. I paddled down into the harbor to snap a few pictures of boats going through the Beachway
Imagine sitting on the beach as the sun sets in distance, or exploring islands that you can only reach in your sea kayak. Planning a multi-day sea kayak expedition can get you to these places, but is very different than planning a day-trip. Here are some things to think about as you plan your sea kayak expedition.
Know your group.
The trip that you do will be largely driven by the goals, skills and experience of the group. The group should be large enough to provide support and camaraderie, but small enough not to impact the environment. Four to six paddlers is usually the maximum group size.
Where will you go
Pick a location that is appropriate for the skills of the group and plan your route with options to avoid getting weather bound if conditions change. You may need to stay in protected areas when conditions are challenging, and move out into open water to cover distance when they improve.
Planning your trip
Planning can begin as soon as you choose your expedition location. Begin thinking about paddling distances, camping locations, tides and local conditions. You will need to build flexibility into your plan to account for changing weather conditions, and it might be a good idea to include a lay-over day just in case. For longer trips, you will also need to think about resupply locations for fresh food and water.
Navigation
Since you will be traveling along potentially unfamiliar shorelines, good navigation skills will be needed. You will need navigational charts and maps for the area. You will also need a deck mounted compass for following a heading, and a hand compass for taking bearings and working out your location. A GPS can help your navigation if you have already entered way points for lunch spots, campsites, etc.
Packing your sea kayak
Packing for a multi-day trip is both an art and a science. You need to consider the size and shape of your gear, how you are going to keep it dry, and how weight distribution effects the performance of your boat.
Even if you boat is dry, it is best to assume that your hatches are going to leak – at least a little. Pack anything that absolutely must stay dry like your sleeping bag, camp clothes and sensitive electronics in durable polyurethane-coated dry bags. You will need a variety of small drybags to fit your gear in those oddly shaped hatches.
Water inside your hatches will pool at the lowest point (usually around the cockpit and day hatch). Pack items that must stay dry higher in the hatch just under the deck, and out towards the ends of the boat – especially the front.
When packing your kayak, you need to be careful to keep the boat trim by distributing the weight evenly from bow to stern. Pack heavy items like food and water toward the middle, and lighter items like sleeping bags and clothing in the ends. Pack the heaviest items in the bottom of the hatch, centered along the keel and closest to the cockpit. This keeps the center of gravity low and distributes weight evenly from side to side.
Keep frequently used items and safety essentials close to hatch lids so they’re readily accessible.
Kayak with bulkheads and hatch covers Paddle PFD Hat Sunglasses Camera (PFD pocket) Paddle Shoes Spray Skirt Bilge Pump (behind seat) Paddle Float (behind seat) Tow Belt
Deck
Spare Paddle Charts/Maps (waterproof case) Hand compass (waterproof case) GPS Deck mounted compass Water Bottle Front Hatch (tends to be the driest)
Sleeping Bag Sleeping Pad/Pillow Camp Clothes (appropriate for season and length of trip) Camp Shoes Personal Items (Poop Kit, Flashlight/Head Lamp, Toiletries) Electronics (Phone/Satellite Communication Device)
Rear Hatch
Tent with Ground Cloth and Stakes Tarp with Poles and Stakes Camp Chair Mess Kit Stove with Extra Fuel Fire Kit (Starter, Matches, Hatchet and Saw) Clean-up Kit (Soap with Scrubby) Hand Sanitizer Day Hatch
Paddle Jacket
Snacks Sunscreen Bug Spray Water (appropriate for length of trip) Food (appropriate for length of trip) First Aid Kit
When paddling with others, you might be able to consolidate gear and bring some other luxury items.
Choosing your campsite
In most cases, your campsite choices will be limited to established campsites. When choosing a campsite, you should look for a site that provides shelter from the prevailing winds, has enough flat ground above the high-tide mark for the group to set up tents, and minimizes the carry up and down the beach to the campsite if you are landing or launching at low tide. You also need to think about the site's orientation to morning winds and tides so you can launch in safe coonditions.
Setting up/taking down camp
On arriving you need to move your boat and gear above the high tide mark. If it is a short carry you might be able to carry boat with the gear loaded, but often it is easy to empty the boat first into a mesh sack or IKEA bag. Once the boat is safely stowed you can turn your attention to setting up your tent (and tarp if needed), gathering wood if you plan to have a fire, and cooking dinner.
The process of for taking down camp in the morning is pretty much the inverse – cooking breakfast, packing up your tent and gear, and loading the boat. To the extent possible, you should leave no trace – carry out everything that you carried in.
Tents
Tents are available in many styles from tunnel to A-frame to geodesic dome. When choosing a tent think about the space that you need and the conditions you will be out in. Choose a tent with plenty of headroom, a full fly and good ventilation. When camping in exposed areas, your tent will need to withstand high winds and potentially heavy rain.
Sleeping Bags and Pads
The sleeping bag you use will depend on the season and the weather. To ensure comfort on cold nights, it’s a good idea to use a bag that's rated at least 10° colder than the temperature you will be out in. The sleeping bag's fill can be down or synthetic. Down bags pack small, but can be difficult to dry if they get wet. Synthetic bags are bulkier, but are easier to dry.
Sleeping pads have two functions - comfort and insulation. Inflatable sleeping pads are usually the best option due to their small sized when deflated. Inflatable pads have come a long way in terms of comfort and durability, but can be a little pricey - don’t skimp. Pads designed for colder weather usually have an R-rating of 4.0 or higher.
Camp cooking
The trip you do will definitely influence the food that you bring. In a sea kayak you have limited space, so a backpacking stove is the best option. The easiest meals are dehydrated or freeze dried since they are light, take up little space and are easy to prepare and pack out. If you have room you can cook fresh food on the stove or on the fire, but you will also need to bring pots, pans and utensils.
Should I bring or collect water?
Between drinking and cooking, most people will need around 2-liters of water a day. It is best to carry fresh water in water bag or plastic bottle (2-liter soda bottles work well). If you are going to be collecting water from natural sources you will need to boil, chemically treat (Aquatabs) or filter the water before using.
Campfire
If your campsite allows a campfire, be sure to use the established fire ring, or have your fire on the beach where it will have a minimal environmental impact. A fire pan is also a good option, and makes it easier to clean up the fire pit before you leave.
When collecting wood you will need a mixture of sizes from small to large - tinder to light the fire, kindling to establish the fire and fuel to feed the fire. Firewood should be collected selectively to leave the site and scenery as undisturbed as possible. A folding saw or small hatchet will make processing wood easier, and driftwood or standing/hanging deadwood are usually the driest.
Leave no trace
Aways leave the campsite better than you found it. You will need to pack out everything that you bring in, and that may include human waste if the campsite does not have a privy.
I decided to attend RICKA’s Incident Management session at Fort Wetherill. We regularly practice assisted rescues on trips, but this would be an opportunity to practice more advanced rescues in real conditions.
We met at 9:00 at Fort Wetherill. Seas were calm and wind was from the west as we launched. We paddled out around Bull Point to practice towing in the easy tidal current around the Dumplings. I got to try out my new tow belt with short (15-foot) and long (50-foot) tows. On my tow rope there are two carabiners to unclip - one for short tows and a second for long tows.
Demonstrating the scoop rescue
On short tows my tow belt worked fine. I towed one person by clipping on to one deck line with clip up. Clicking on to one line will allow the tow will continue even if the anchor holding the deck line releases. Clicking on from the bottom with the clip up reduces the likelihood the clip with hit something and release.
I towed two people (rafted tow) by running the tow line through one deck line of the assist boat and clipping into one line of the victim boat with the clip up. This allows the assist boat to reach the carabiner to unclip the line if needed. The short tow line works great when you need to get some quickly away from a hazard, like rocks.
Two paddlers out of the boat
The longer tow works better when you are towing for a long distance – especially in swells so you don’t get run over by the towed boat as it comes down the face of the swell. On long tows, the knot and clip in the middle of my tow line created drag and a one point snagged a clump of sea grass that made it tough to paddle. I might consider removing the second clip and daisy-chaining the rope for shorter tows.
After using the tow belt we practiced contact towing with the person being towed simply grabbing the deck lines of the rescue boat and pushing/pulling the bows/sterns together depending on which way we were going. We practiced pulling boats out of the rocks with tow lines and contact tows as we worked our way along the rocky coast over to Mackerel Cove.
Getting Tim back in his boat
As we rounded one headland we saw Kelly out of her boat holding her arm like she had a dislocated shoulder. Cam was able to get her back in her boat using a scoop rescue. The scoop rescue is used to float a tired or injured paddler into a partially submerged boat, which is then rolled back up, pumped out, and towed to safety with a rafted tow.
The seas were choppier with winds from the south as we headed back out after lunch. If you spend enough time playing in rocks you will eventually come out of your boat, and Tim demonstrated swimming out of the rocks as a proactive way to get yourself to safer water.
Reviewing the hand of god rescue
When you are in the water near the rocks, the first thing that you need to do is get yourself to a safe position the with kayak between you and the rocks. Then you can flip the boat over, attach the tow line to the boat, and aggressively swim out of the rocks, all while holding on to the paddle. Tim did fine, and once he was in calmer water Bill and Eric got him back in his boat.
We worked our way back along the shore continuing to practice assisted deep water rescues, scoop rescues (I did an anchor tow on one), two-out-of-the-boat self-rescues using one boat as an outrigger to get the first paddle in, and hand of god rescues.
More rescue practice
The hand of god rescue is used to right a kayaker that can’t come out of their boat because they are unconscious or just can’t get the spay deck off. It involves a tricky combination of pushing down on the inside edge while pulling up the outside to right the boat with the paddler still in it - not easy.
We got back to Fort Wetherill around 4:00 after a long day of practice. I learned a lot, but also realized how much I still have to learn.
The deep water rescue is a fundamental skill for all sea kayakers. It should be practiced until it is quick, efficient and can be done in a variety of conditions.
For the swimmer, the rescue starts with a wet exit – tuck forward, pull the grab loop to release the skirt, and push yourself out of the boat (hit the deck, pull the skirt, show the moon). Hopefully you can do all this while still holding onto your paddle. If for some reason you can’t find the grab loop, run your hands along the sides of the cockpit and release the skirt from the sides of the combing.
Rescuer empties the boat
Once out of the boat you need to keep hold of your boat and your paddle. Flip the boat over and move to the bow waiting for help, yelling “swimmer” or raising your paddle if necessary to get the rescuer’s attention. At this point the rescuer will come in to make contact with the swimmer's boat. It is usually best to come in at an angle, hook the boat with the paddle, grab the deck lines and once stable stow your paddle under the deck lines.
Once the rescuer has stable contact they need to empty the boat. The swimmer will move the rescuer’s bow or stern while the rescuer turns the swimmer's boat perpendicular, pulls the boat up on the deck and rolls it over to empty. Once the boat is empty, the rescuer needs to lift the boat slightly so the cockpit rim stays over the water as they roll it back upright. You usually only need to pull the boat up on the deck to about the front hatch.
Swimmer reenters the boat
Once the boat is empty, the rescuer will use the deck lines to move the swimmer’s boat alongside their own. It is usually best to orientate the boats bow to stern, but bow to bow is fine if that is easier. Either way the rescuer needs to hold on to the deck lines on the front deck to leave the rear deck free for the swimmer to enter.
With the boats in position, the swimmer moves into position to reenter the boat. If they still have their paddle, now is the time to pass it to the rescuer who can stow it in the deck lines or hold it across both boats to increase stability.
Swimmer back in the boat
The swimmer reenters the boat by pulling themselves up on the rear deck, reaching over to grab the deck lines on the rescuer’s boat, sliding their feet into the cockpit and scooting down into the cockpit, and rolling over to the outside of the rescuer’s boat back into the seat. You can also use a heal hook with the outside leg to roll up int the cockpit.
Once the swimmer is back in the boat, the rescuer will wait until any remaining water is pumped out, the spray skirt is attached and the swimmer has their paddle and is comfortable before releasing.
If you spend enough time playing in rocks you will eventually come out of the boat. How you respond depends on the conditions you are in and the availability of help.
The first order of business if you come out of your boat in the rocks is to get yourself into a safe position. You never want to be in between the rocks and the boat, so position yourself with the kayak between you and the rocks. Once you are in a safe position, you can begin to think about how to get out.
Swimming out is a proactive way to get yourself to safer water. If the distance is short, you can simply grab the boat and go. Flip the boat over, swim to the end of the boat furthest away for the rocks, grab the toggle, and aggressively swim out of the feature. You can either stow your paddle in the deck lines or hold it in your hands as you swim.
If the distance is longer, it may be easier to attach your tow line. Once again, get to the end of the boat furthest from the rocks, clip on your tow line and go. Once in calmer water you can pull in the boat, unclip and tuck the towline in your PFD to prevent it from getting tangled in the rocks, and do a self or assisted rescue.
If someone is nearby and the distance is short you can do a toggle tow. Flip your boat over, and move to the toggle at end furthest from the rocks. The rescuer paddles in and presents the bow or stern toggle for the swimmer to grab, and paddles out of the feature. Once in calmer water you can do an assisted rescue
If conditions are rough it might be better for the rescuer to use the tow line. The swimmer gets in the safe position on the rescuer’s boat while the rescuer clips the tow line on the swimmers boat and paddles out. Once in calmer water you can pull the boat to you and do an assisted rescue.
Once the rescuer has the swimmer out of the rocks, it is often helpful to have a third member of the team clip on to the rescuer’s boat for an anchor tow that prevents them from drifting back into the rocks during the rescue.
I had some repair work done on my sea kayak (skeg and bulkheads), so I decided to check it out at Lincoln Woods. I also decided that I would spend some time on launching and landings.
Being and open boater, I find one of the hardest parts of kayaking is getting in and out of the boat. I am OK launching and landing using the paddle as a brace, but that doesn’t work so well in surf. Mike tried to explain a surf launch at the RICKA Meeting on the Water, but it didn’t work out so well.
I knew I needed to get better at a surf launches and landings, so I practiced today. Here is what I came up with for launching:
Pull the boat out into the water – it should be floating, but the stern can rest slightly on shore for support.
Straddle the boat, and drop into the seat - I found it easier if I didn’t settle all the way down in the seat.
Using the paddle as support, bring your first leg in – not the leg on your paddle side.
Continuing to use the paddle as support, bring your other leg into the boat and slip all the way into the seat.
I didn’t have the skirt on, so I’ll have to try it with the skirt next time. Landing is similar:
Paddle in to shore bow first – bow can rest slightly on shore for support.
Pull one leg up and out of the boat – I find it easier if I push myself slightly up and out of the seat.
Using that leg as support move the other leg to the center of the boat.
Holding onto the cockpit combing push yourself up to a standing position.
I paddled around Olney Pond stopping anywhere that I could to do a landing and a launch. I got pretty good at it by the time I got all the way around. I did cheat a little by have the bow and stern resting slightly on shore for support.
