Kayak leash (for paddle)

[ClockworkOrange]

So, as a not a very experienced person in a kayak, after thinking about throwing myself off the side to see if I could get in again, started giving some thought
to a leash for my paddle to my wrist?

You guys generally come up with good suggestions and comments.

[Tri Girl]

that's a good idea. I hadn't thought about doing that. Or you could leash the paddle to the kayak so it doesn't float away should you and the kayak become separated.

Now that our state stopped making you have to buy a boat license for your kayak (that stupid rule has been in place for years and years), I'm thinking about getting a kayak. I love to be on the water and love borrowing friend's kayaks whenever I can. The whole buying a boat license just bugged me and I wasn't going to do it.

[radacrider]

I leash the paddle to the kayak. When I was learning, I was told that is safer as the paddle could get entangled and better to have the paddle affect the kayak than you.

[lph]

I leash my paddle to my kayak. I have the curly kind, like an oldfashioned telephone cord, and it works well and doesn't get in the way. That is, if you capsize, or practice capsizing, it'll tangle around your leg or arm at some point anyway, but it's better than the straight kind. And it's very handy for short stops! Just toss your paddle onto land, and the cord is often enough to keep my kayak from drifting away while I clamber out and stretch my legs. Also handy when getting in and adjusting the sprayskirt, I can just toss the paddle overboard and there it stays while I do stuff, pick it up when ready.

I've never tried a wrist leash, but it sounds like it would be a bit impractical if you need to adjust anything while in the boat, and trying to re-entry with a paddle to your wrist sounds complicated.

[ClockworkOrange]

All the things I did not think of, so thanks and in the event of my paddling drifting off, my partner is always with me plus we do not go out in any extreme weather, so I guess I was being a bit too over cautious!

My kayak has a neat clip which I always use for my paddle, when I am not using it.



Big thanks for all comments.

[TrekDianna]

If you have paddles that come apart, make sure you check and double check. The paddle part fell off one of mine this weekend while out on the water. Luckily, there was still one end to paddle like a canoe.

[ClockworkOrange]

If you have paddles that come apart, make sure you check and double check. The paddle part fell off one of mine this weekend while out on the water. Luckily, there was still one end to paddle like a canoe.

Fortunately the paddle is all in one, so something less to worry about, sounds like you had fun and games with your split paddle!!!