re: I’m planning on Kayaking the entire Texas coast - Update 2.0 bot. Pg. 6 - Hoist the sail!

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Yeah the people talking about rolling IMO don't have any experience in a kayak, especially a touring kayak in open water.

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Wrong... the person talking about rolling is well accustomed to rolling a kayak. Although it's usually an open canoe because it's something not everyone can do.

And I still (highly) suggest Austin should strive to become capable of self rescue. Then he'll be free to truly relax, kick back, and enjoy the journey. Instead of being tethered to the shore, afraid of a little rain, or relying on his life jacket which should be another level of backup (and hopeful not used except for fun). Biggest trick (not just touring kayak) is to slow down and have have positive, complete, non-rushed thoughts before even trying.


Flipping over and counting to 10 before trying anything is a good first step. You have to be calm, stay cool, and be thinking. Not rushed or floundering around. Next learn to wet exit by sliding forward, over the front deck, with your feet following. This will enable you to relax even more.... and help with hanging in there for a second or third attempt while learning. Because you'll know you can exit in seconds if need be and not revert to panic mode.

Rollin is pretty much a relaxed reach forward, doing a good forward sweep, followed a strong hip snap... you just slow it down in a touring kayak (because it rolls slower). And like any boat keep your damn head down. You don't lift your head up out of the water from the side... you transfer or rotate from down low to over the deck. And then smile and see if anyone caught that. There's got got be a ga'zillion how to videos.

I've used that slow counting to 10 (while thinking) on countless occasions, when teaching people that have had trouble learning, with great success.