Swim

AKA: wet exit. Of course, paddlers need to know "how to swim" by having learned in a pool or open water.

In a kayaking context 'swim' is often used as a noun, meaning a situation in which the kayaker has decided to pop their deck and wet exit, swimming from their boat. A swim can be a painful or even dangerous process, particularly in whitewater kayaking or kayak surfing. It is important for kayakers to know about good techniques for safely getting through a rapid when you're not in a boat.

The basics include keeping your feet up to keep them from getting trapped between rocks, and feet-first to enable you to fend off rocks, but it's not all about lying back and enjoying the ride. Swims often result in some nasty bruises, and can cause more serious injury. The aim is to get to dry land safely, and so agressive swimming towards the bank should be attempted when an opportunity presents itself.

For the sea kayaker, swimming has a slightly different set of hazards. In the surf or rock gardens the same dangers exist as in whitewater: stationary rocks and other large objects and water-filled kayaks being tosses by waves. When swimming, never get between the boat and shore. Away from shore the hazards shift. A swim far from shore requires some sort of a rescue. It may be a self rescue, an assisted rescue by another kayaker, or a rescue by an outside agency like a passing power boater or the Coast Guard. The biggest dangers from taking a swim in these circumstances is that if a rescue is not effected quickly cold water temperatures may lead to hypothermia. The prudent sea kayaker always stays with his boat when taking a "swim" far from shore.

For a more thorough discussion, see Swimming Whitewater: Beyond "Feet-Up" based on a Paddler article by Kent Ford, with enhancements by Ross and Richard.

Any time kayaker "swims" there is increased danger. One defense against "swimming" is a "bombproof" Eskimo roll.

See also Rescue, Safety, Float bag and Best practice.