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Practice the Capsize Drill and Get Out of Your Sea Kayak Quickly and Easily

Generally, sea kayaking is a dry sport, and unless you do a lot of surfing, you can expect to stay on top of the water the vast majority of the time. That doesn't mean you can ignore the possibility of a capsize, however. As the bumper sticker says, stuff happens, and it's a lot better to train and be prepared for the worst before it happens out on the water.

One of the big fears that most new paddlers have is being trapped in the kayak during a roll. It's more likely, however, that the novice kayaker will fall out of the cockpit, especially if you're not using thigh braces or other padding.

Before performing your first roll, you'll want to plan and prepare. If possible, find a swimming pool where you can practice. If not, locate a shallow, relatively calm body of water. You'll need a friend or fellow paddler to assist you, at least for the first few rolls. Dress for immersion, of course. A nose clip is a good idea if you're concerned about getting water up your nose (slowly exhaling through your nose will serve the same purpose). And always wear proper flotation.

First, remove the spray skirt from your kayak. You'll want to make it as easy to exit the cockpit as possible, especially on the first few attempts. Also try the first few exits without a paddle. Then have your assistant roll you over, with the agreement that if you bang on the hull, you'll need help getting out. Once under the water, hold your breath and count to five. This will give you the confidence that you'll have time to release the spray skirt and escape when the time comes.