If you dream of exploring dive sites too close to land for a dive boat to access, and too far out to swim to, consider diving from a kayak. Sit on top dive kayaks constructed of polyethylene are virtually indestructible, they are easy to dive from once you’ve got the hang of things, and they give you a private platform of your own where you can eat your lunch or relax between dives. There are certainly challenges involved with kayak based diving, but as anyone who has gained the skills required to dive this way can attest, it is both fun and convenient.
Dive Kayaks and Accessories
You can find one person kayaks and tandem kayaks at many sporting goods stores, and the lightweight polyethylene type that work best for diving are surprisingly inexpensive. The best kayaks for diving have at least one sealed compartment where you can stow gear, along with straps or points where you can secure straps or lashings. Many even come with built in tethers and lashings already attached.
There are a variety of different kayak shapes available; what will work best for you depends on where you plan to dive. Long, narrow kayaks tend to be faster and easier to paddle, however they can be clumsy in surf conditions. Shorter kayaks are both more maneuverable and more stable, but they can’t handle as much weight as longer models can. A touring kayak, which is about 12 feet long, offers a good compromise. If you plan to buy a kayak for diving, see if you can rent a few different types to try before buying your own – this way, you’ll find out what works best for you.
Besides the kayak, you’ll need at least one paddle (2 if you have a tandem and maybe a 3rd for a spare), plus you will need an approved life jacket, a dive flag, and a small anchor. A fish finder, a GPS, and a simple VHF radio are all good items to have on board, as are safety flares, a signaling mirror, a first aid kit and emergency rations, plus drinking water, sunscreen, and at least one good dry bag.
Diving From Your Kayak
Before you can even think about diving, you need to load your gear onto the boat while it is on shore. First, pre-assemble your tanks, SCUBA unit, regs, and BC, so that when it’s time to suit up, things will go smoothly. Load everything onto your kayak, keeping the weight as evenly centered and low as possible – heavy items underneath light items. Be as organized as possible – think “first in, last out.” In addition, be sure to tether every item to the boat itself, including stowed items. Tethers can help you to retrieve anything that has slid out of reach, and they prevent items from being lost overboard.
Once you are loaded up, wearing your wetsuit (peel the top half down to free up your arms for paddling if you want) and your boots, drag your boat to the water’s edge and watch to see what the waves are doing. Watch for a few sets; don’t just jump in after the first set. Once you see a lull, where the water has calmed between wave sets, get your kayak into knee deep water; give it a push, and jump in. Start paddling out into the waves. If you are not experienced with kayaking, then go for a few paddles without your gear before diving, because you’re going to need to get a feel for working your way into those waves.
Keep your boat’s nose pointed into the waves, and don’t stop paddling, no matter what. If you stop, you could end up in a sideways position, and your kayak could capsize, causing you to have to go back to shore, and start all over.
Once you are out beyond the breakers, the rest is easy. Paddle out to your chosen destination, park your kayak (drag it onto an island, tie it up, anchor it, or be prepared to tow it yourself) and finish suiting up. Unless you’ve landed somewhere, you will need to suit up in the water. First, put your fins on; then, straddle the kayak like a horse or a surfboard. Don’t be surprised if you fall in the first few times you try this; but don’t worry – you were planning to get wet anyway.
After you’ve got your wetsuit zipped up, put on your SCUBA unit. It is not hard to do this while in the water – take it in with you, and put your arms through the holes. Use very little air in the BC and keep a trim weight around the butt of the tank so it stands vertically in the water. Do not untether the unit from the kayak until it is attached to you. The same goes for everything else. Get your gear attached to your body before you unhook it from the kayak. After that, be sure everything on the kayak is secure. Tie down the paddles, and seal up the hatch. Take the anchor down with you if you want.
Next, enjoy your dive. Some divers tow their kayaks with a dive flag behind them; what you do is up to you. Once you are finished, it’s time to reverse the procedure of kitting up, and get back on board your kayak. Leave your fins on as you remember to tether everything, and make sure your lashings are tight; then, it’s time to get back on board.
First, do not try to pull yourself up; you’ll only capsize the kayak. If that happens, flip it over, and try again. Position yourself at a right angle to the kayak, float on the surface, and give a couple of kicks to bring your legs up. Next, propel yourself forward with a final hard kick, lunging so your stomach is on top of the kayak. Roll gently onto your backside, then pivot up and into a sitting position so that your feet are onboard. Once you’re up, you can remove your fins and make sure everything is stowed the way you want it.
Luckily, you don’t have to do this all on your own. You can take a kayak diving specialty course if you like, and in many areas, there are kayak dive clubs where you and your buddies can join like-minded divers for fun excursions. The kayak will soon pay for itself – all you’ve got to pay for when you dive from a kayak is air, lunch, and maybe some gas for your car, plus a rack to carry your kayak on top. For a fun and a great way to get a good upper body workout, kayak diving can’t be beat.
Comments
Wow. I'm gonna have to try this.