Getting Started – The Solo Kayak Carry

Winter 2007

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Alex Matthews

One of the bitter realities of paddling is that you actually have to get your boat to the water before you can go kayaking. Sadly, this usually means carrying it. “Many hands make light work” so it’s a great idea to get your paddling partner to help haul your boat, but if your kayak is light enough, or if you’re really strong, you may sometimes want to try a solo carry. As with most endeavors, good technique can make this a lot easier.

Most importantly, remember to bend your knees and keep your back straight whenever doing any lifting. The last thing you want to do is injure your back.

For most people, the biggest challenge of a solo carry is getting the kayak onto their shoulder in the first place. The best way to get the boat up there is to do it in three distinct steps.

First, decide which shoulder you want to carry the boat on. If you set up with the boat’s bow to your right, then the kayak will end up resting on your left shoulder. Set up with the bow on your left, and the kayak will ride on your right shoulder. Roll the boat onto its edge with the cockpit facing away from you, and the bow pointing in the direction that you want to go. While all kayaks are slightly different, the point of balance of a boat is typically about where your hip is when you’re sitting in the seat. With the boat on edge, lift it slightly off the ground and feel for the point of balance. This is where you’ll want it resting on your shoulder.

Second, with a solid two-handed grip on the coaming, lift the boat onto your thighs, cockpit out. As always, be sure to keep your legs flexed and your back straight. This is actually a very solid position, and it should be quite comfortable to have the boat resting on your thighs. If it feels as if you are still fighting to hold the kayak in place, simply bend your knees more, presenting a flatter surface for your boat to rest on, letting the muscles in your legs do the work of supporting the boat.

Third, reach palm-up across the cockpit with the hand closest to the stern. Secure a firm grip on the lower edge of the coaming, and then roll the boat up onto your shoulder.

Once the kayak is on your shoulder, it’s usually pretty easy handling the weight, but it can be awkward to manoeuvre. Be particularly mindful of the stern of the boat, which is hard to see over your shoulder, and remember that boats don’t tend to flex around corners!
To put the kayak back down, simply reverse the steps.