Wayne demonstrates how to get into a kayak using our kayak launch, just about to reach a hand down to hold the boat steady, while using a hand on the boards of the launcher to leverage himself into the boat.
We at the Ipswich River Watershed Association are used to thinking that there’s nothing the Middleton Stream Team can’t do. They created 4 of the 5 Middleton landings (including Farnsworth, possibly the most beautiful landing on the river) which they also maintain, they organize Middleton’s Earth Day Festival every year, and they provide scholarships for the next generation of water defenders. From a recent story from three Stream Teamers out doing their Paddle-a-thon paddles, however it’s clear there is at least one thing that (some) Stream Teamers can’t do.
Judy Schneider, Donna Bambury, and Jackie Hannigan, good sports all, relayed the following story to us. We got a kick out of it, we hope you do, too.
Three friends arrive at Riverbend headquarters, grab paddles and wipe them down (COVID-19 precautions, see the new boat use procedure here). We trek down the hill to choose our boats (good size, foot pedals etc), and wearing masks, carry the boats to the dock.
If you’ve been to any of the Middleton landings, you know their beautiful stone steps and sandy shallows, or in the case of Thunder Bridge, a sloping beach leading down to a scour pool where children cannonball off the bridge. When that’s what you’re used to, a dock is an unsettling challenge, but we’re a hardy crew and Riverbend has a kayak launcher. We can manage that, right?
Paddler #1 positions her boat in the launcher and starts to get in. Immediately, her boat flips sideways taking in water. On the verge of going in further, and already wet, she yells, “get my camera!” to her friends. One friend tries to help her get out with arms slippery due to sunblock lotion and finally rescues her. The boat gets dumped out and returned to racks, and a new boat is brought to dock. Paddler 1 tries again, with success! It’s all about technique (see below).
Taking confidence is this success, Paddler #2 positions her boat in the launcher. All seems to be going well until Paddler #1 looks over and sees Paddler #2 hanging by spread arms in a superwoman flying position as her boat casts off without her. Paddler #1 grabs the front of boat and shoves it back under Paddler #2. Lesson learn: overconfidence will be your downfall, take it slow.
Paddler # 3 will have nothing to do with the kayak launcher. Instead, Paddlers # 1 and 2 position their boats by the dock and hold her boat steady. She gets in successfully. Someone was paying attention.
After all that excitement, the three paddlers enjoy a beautiful paddle up and then down the river. They all have a sense of dread when approaching the dock at Riverbend. Will they be in their boats forever?
Not to be defeated, Paddler #1 enters the kayak launcher. First, she places her belongings on the launcher, beside the boat. Not too gracefully, but successfully, she exits kayak, though not without nearly losing said belongings when they nearly roll off the platform.
Chagrined, Paddler #1 holds Paddler #3’s boat as she exits her boat from the dock. Watching her success, Paddle #2 decides to follow suit. Perhaps we should change our Paddle-a-thon 2020 challenge to becoming experts at launching from a dock? It might take use the full two weeks until June 20th!
Remember, whether getting into your boat from a dock or kayak launcher, never stand in a boat. The best way to get in is:
- Sit on the dock (or kayak launcher).
- Swing your legs into the boat.
- Brace a hand on either side of the boat, on the gunnels. You can use the bar over the kayak launcher to steady yourself, but don’t put your weight on it. Remember, your boat can move, so you want to hold onto it so it can’t move without you!
- Slide your hips over until you’re sitting in the boat.