In kayaking, a wet exit is the process of safely leaving your kayak after it flips upside down in the water. Instead of staying trapped in the cockpit, you use a specific set of movements to push yourself out and surface.
It is the very first safety skill every kayaker learns.
How a Wet Exit Works
When your kayak rolls over and you are hanging upside down underwater, you follow these steps:
- Stay Calm: Take a breath before you go under and keep your tucked position to protect your face.
- Find the Loop: Feel for the “grab loop” on the front of your spray skirt (the waterproof cover around your waist).
- Pull and Release: Pull the loop forward and up to break the seal between the skirt and the kayak.
- Push Away: Place your hands on the sides of the kayak (the gunwales) and push the boat away from you, like you are taking off a pair of pants.
- Surface: Somersault out of the cockpit and head for the air.
Why It Matters
- Safety: It prevents you from panicking if you tip over.
- Confidence: Knowing you can get out easily makes you more comfortable exploring deeper or faster water.
- Foundational: You must master the wet exit before you can learn more advanced moves, like the Eskimo Roll (flipping the boat back upright without getting out).
Key Pro-Tip
Never tuck the grab loop inside your spray skirt. If the loop is hidden inside the boat, you won’t be able to find it easily when you are upside down. Always keep it visible and accessible on the outside.