How to kayak out of a current?

Question

I went out into the pacific ocean the other day. It was my first time kayaking (rediculously stupid, I know). Well, it was really easy to get out into the ocean, I seemed to be making nice progress going out farther (heading west). Yet, when I tried to go back in, it was a struggle to turn my kayak east. It kept trying to turn northwest. Even when I managed to get it to turn east, and paddled my best, it was a struggle to get back to shore. Thank God I made it back. I guess I was in a current, so my question is how do kayakers get out of currents? I know with swimming in rip tides you swim perpendicular to the current (don't know how effective that is though; never been in one). So what do you do for kayaking out of a current? Like if a current is pulling towards northwest but I needed to go east, or southeast. Thanks.

Answer 1

It sounds like your problem may have been wind, not current. Most sea kayaks tend to weathercock-- that is, turn into the wind. This makes controlling the boat easy in a headwind (even though it may be physically demanding in a strong wind), but difficult in a tailwind. A skeg or rudder will help counteract the effects of wind, as will edging the boat and using good sweep strokes (things you'll learn in a sea kayaking class).

Being in a current will cause your kayak to drift of course, but it won't turn it like you describe. Entering or exiting a strong, well-defined current can spin you, but that's more of an issue on rivers and some bays, not on the open ocean.

Answer 2

A bit of physics...Assume you want to turn left; lean your boat to the left, do a forward sweep stroke on the right side. your boat should enter the opposite current or calm water. The nose or bow  will turn to the left and the stern will swing to the right. Stop the forward sweep stroke at your hip. Do a forward power stroke beginning with your right paddle. Complete a 180 degree turn, lean your boat upright. You should be in the opposite current or calm water water. This is an 'eddy turn'.  Per, Kent Ford, lean the kayak with your hips...keep your paddle upright. Draw some pictures show the currents and what they do to the boat. Learn how to do on-side braces and off-side braces. Stop forward strokes at your hips.

Answer 3

it was probably the wind that was the problem. a rip wouldn't effect you that much becuase the boat is on the water rather than in the water... like a swimmer. in fact if you take your kayak out surfing it's really handy to have a rip because it createsd a channel through the waves.