While kayaking with a friend is always a good idea, it’s even better when you know how to tow their kayak on the off chance they need help getting back to the shore. There can be multiple reasons why someone may need a helping hand on the water. It could be because the person paddling a kayak is injured, their paddle is lost or broken, they are physically or mentally spent, or they don’t have the skills to pass through a rough water patch.
Whatever the reason may be, learning how to tow a kayak can work in your favor in the most unexpected of times. Here’s a brief guide detailing the simple step-by-step process:
1- Paddle to the Other Kayaker
First of all, when you’re about to help a kayaker tow their vessel, you must paddle to them and explain in detail the whole process beforehand. There is more than one reason for doing that. For one, it gives you the opening to assess whether they are doing alright in case they’re suffering from an injury and need medical assistance. And secondly, it puts you in the correct position to clip the towline to their kayak.
2- Match the Direction
The next step is to match the direction of both kayaks since it prevents the rope from tangling up after clipping the towline. Moreover, if their kayak has a skeg, make sure it is deployed. Similarly, if they have a rudder that they know how to use, it’s best if you let them. On the contrary, if they’re too tired or hurt to paddle their kayak, you should instruct them to sit upright and balanced. It’s also fine if they offer to paddle intermittently to help you along the way. Just make sure they don’t paddle too fast and stop them when you feel like they’re starting to catch up with you.
3- Undo the Pack
Now, it’s time to undo the towing gear, referred to as the ‘tow belt.’ It is a kind of bag that you can strap on to your waist and shoulder. When undoing the pack, you should pull out the rope’s carabiner end while leaving the other terminal just as it is inside the bag.
4- Clip the Towline’s Carabiner
The simplest way to clip the towline is by using the full rope. You can shorten the length by other techniques as well, even though there’s no need to do that when you’ve already turned both kayaks around in the same direction. Either way, you can clip the towline to the other kayak’s front carry toggle or any other solid anchor point (besides the bungee line).
5- Paddle Forward at a Steady Pace
Lastly, once the towline is clipped, you can start paddling forward. Once there’s no tension in the rope, you can continue paddling at a steady pace.
To master this skill, you can practice towing with a friend under calm water conditions. Once that’s achieved, you can learn how to tow a kayak in choppy water conditions, so you’re prepared for more real-life towing situations.
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