How to Get In and Out of a Kayak Safely
Getting into and out of a kayak can feel less natural than paddling it. The kayak is narrow, the water is moving and the shoreline may be uneven. A good launch therefore starts before you sit down: choose a calm, clear entry point, adjust the seat and footrests on land, put on your buoyancy aid and secure loose equipment.
This guide covers practical methods for entering and leaving a sit-on-top or sit-inside kayak from a shallow shore or low dock. Conditions and kayak designs vary, so practise with an experienced paddler or instructor before relying on any technique in exposed water.
Choose the launch point before choosing the technique
The safest place is usually sheltered, shallow enough to stand comfortably, free from boat traffic and clear of slippery rocks, sudden drop-offs and breaking waves. Brooklyn Kayak Company recommends a calm location where the kayak can float without scraping and can move away from shore without meeting an immediate obstacle.1
Postpone the launch if wind, current, waves or a busy slipway make the entry rushed. Our guide to kayaking safely in windy conditions explains why a protected launch does not guarantee protected conditions farther out.
| Launch point | Main advantage | Main risk to manage |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow beach or gently sloping shore | Easy to stand beside the kayak | Slippery stones, surf and hull scraping |
| Low dock or pontoon | Stable hand support | A large height difference above the seat |
| Slipway | Firm and gradual access | Vehicles, algae and other water users |
| Steep bank or high dock | Sometimes the only local access | Difficult transfer and awkward recovery |
If the only access is steep, exposed or unsuitable for your mobility, choose another launch. Avoid “seal launching” by dragging or sliding the loaded kayak down a bank, as this can damage the hull and the shoreline.1
Prepare the kayak on dry land
Set the backrest, seat and foot position before placing the kayak in the water. Put frequently needed items within reach and secure everything else. Keep the paddle close enough to retrieve without standing or twisting suddenly.
Wear a correctly fitted buoyancy aid before approaching the water. Check the drain plug, hatch covers and any removable seat. For a sit-inside kayak, ensure the spray deck is free rather than trapped under the seat or paddler.
Our kayaking safety guide for Ireland provides the wider pre-launch checklist.
The shallow-water sidesaddle method for a sit-on-top
For many beginners, the simplest sit-on-top entry is from knee-deep or similarly manageable water. Paddling Magazine describes a sidesaddle method in which the kayak is floating, the paddler sits near the seat with their legs still in the water, then brings both legs aboard after settling their weight.2
Position the kayak parallel to the shore where it floats freely. Stand beside the seat on the side away from waves or current. Hold the kayak securely, lower your hips onto the seat area while keeping both feet in the water, and then bring one leg and the other onto the deck. Stay low throughout the movement.
Do not step onto the middle of the deck while standing upright. Placing body weight high above the hull creates leverage that can roll the kayak away from you.
Entering a sit-inside kayak from shallow water
Sit-inside kayaks have a cockpit opening and may require more flexibility. One common method is to straddle the kayak over the cockpit, lower the hips directly into the seat and then bring the legs inside. Paddling Magazine notes that this quickly places the paddler’s weight over the seat, although it may not suit someone with balance or strength limitations.2
Another option is an assisted entry. A companion holds the kayak steady while the paddler sits on the rear deck or cockpit edge, brings their legs into the cockpit and lowers into the seat. Avoid putting full body weight on a paddle used as an improvised brace; some paddles can be damaged by this load.2
Once seated, confirm that the feet and knees are comfortable and that you can exit freely. Do not attach a spray deck until you have learnt and practised a safe wet exit with qualified instruction.
Entering from a low dock or pontoon
Place the kayak parallel to the dock and keep it against the edge. Sit on the dock first so your centre of gravity is low. Put both feet into or onto the kayak, keep one hand on the dock and lower your hips toward the seat without standing in the boat.
The larger the vertical gap between the dock and kayak, the harder the transfer becomes. Brooklyn Kayak Company recommends getting as close to water level as possible and lowering from a seated position.1 If the dock is high, wet, crowded or has no secure handhold, find another entry point.
Ask a companion to stabilise the kayak if you are unsure. They should hold the kayak firmly against the dock without placing their hands where they could be trapped.
How to get out at a shore
Approach slowly and stop while the kayak is still floating. Do not drive the bow hard onto rocks or step out in water whose depth you have not checked.
For a sit-on-top, turn sideways in the seat, place both feet into shallow water and remain seated until you know the bottom is firm. Stand only when your feet are stable. For a sit-inside, reverse the entry method: bring the legs out while staying low, use the cockpit edge or a companion for support, and rise only when balanced.
Secure the paddle before beginning. A paddle drifting away can turn a simple landing into an avoidable recovery problem.
How to get out at a dock
Bring the kayak parallel to the dock and hold a solid point. Move your weight toward the dock rather than away from it. From a low dock, place your hands on the dock, keep your body low and transfer your hips onto the edge before bringing your legs out.
Dock exits can require considerable upper-body effort. Paddling Magazine describes them as one of the more strenuous ways to leave a kayak.2 If the height difference is large, arrange assistance or use a more accessible shore landing.
Entry and exit with limited mobility
There is no single technique that suits every paddler. Sit-on-top kayaks provide an open seating area and can be easier for some transfers. Tandem kayaks allow a companion to assist with propulsion or steering, while outriggers, supportive seating and transfer aids can increase stability and access for some paddlers.3
The Challenged Athletes Foundation recommends practising entry, exit and assisted rescue with suitable support and equipment.3 Work with an adaptive-paddling programme, trained instructor or experienced assistant rather than improvising a difficult transfer at an exposed launch.
Choose a launch where another person can stand safely beside the kayak. Plan the exit before leaving, because fatigue and changing water levels can make the return transfer harder.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is standing upright in the kayak during entry or exit. Keep your centre of gravity low and transfer weight directly toward the seat or dock. Other problems include launching before adjusting the footrests, putting hands where they may be pinched, stepping onto slippery rocks, leaving loose gear underfoot and allowing the kayak to drift away from support.
Do not use a paddle as a load-bearing bridge unless the manufacturer or instructor explicitly approves the technique and equipment. Do not launch through breaking waves as a beginner merely because other paddlers are doing so.
Practise the complete routine
Practise on dry land first, as recommended by Brooklyn Kayak Company, so the seat, footrests and movement pattern are familiar.1 Then repeat the entry and exit several times in calm, shallow water with another person present.
Include the steps people often forget: putting on the buoyancy aid before launching, securing the paddle, checking the water depth, moving away from the landing promptly and returning from the same direction.
If you use a sit-on-top, also practise deep-water re-entry in a suitable controlled session. Our guide to getting back onto a sit-on-top kayak after a capsize explains the basic sequence, but hands-on instruction is preferable.
Choosing a kayak that is easier to enter
A broad, stable sit-on-top with an open deck can make recreational entry less complicated for many beginners. However, width, seat height, hull weight and the launch environment all matter. A kayak that feels stable on the water may still be difficult to carry or position alone.
Compare the dimensions, weight and seating layouts across our kayaks for sale. If possible, discuss your normal launch points, balance and transport arrangements before choosing a model.
For family use, a tandem can let an experienced paddler share steering and power, but the larger hull may require two people to carry. Our kayaks for sale include recreational, fishing and family options for Irish waterways.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to get onto a sit-on-top kayak?
In calm, shallow water, many beginners find it easiest to sit sideways near the seat with both legs in the water, then bring the legs aboard once their weight is low and centred.
Should I step into a kayak from a standing position?
Avoid standing upright in the kayak during entry. Sit first and keep your centre of gravity low, using a stable shore, low dock or trained assistant for support.
Is a dock or beach easier for launching?
A gently sloping, sheltered shore is often easier because the paddler can stand beside the floating kayak. A low dock can work well, but a high dock creates a more demanding transfer.
Are sit-on-top kayaks easier to enter?
Their open deck makes entry and exit simpler for many recreational paddlers, although stability, seat height, physical ability and the launch point still affect the transfer.
What if I have limited mobility?
Use a sheltered, accessible launch with trained assistance. Adaptive seating, transfer aids, outriggers or a tandem may help, depending on the individual. Practise the entry, exit and rescue plan in a controlled setting.
Where can I compare beginner-friendly kayaks?
Browse SKIPJAK’s kayaks for sale and compare width, hull weight, capacity and seating layout alongside the type of launch you expect to use.