With whitewater boats weighing anywhere from 28-45 pounds and sea kayaks weighing up to 100 pounds, just getting to the water can be a grueling experience. We must therefore ask the obvious question: What is the best way to carry a kayak?
Answer: Carrying your kayak can be a daunting task. Kayaks are often carried great distances and over rough obstacles. For this reason carrying your kayak is not only a matter of comfort but also a matter of safety. Therefore, the answer to this question will vary based on what type of kayak you paddle and over what terrain you will be crossing.
Kayak Carrying Methods
Buddy Carry
This method is rarely used by whitewater paddlers due to the pride of each paddler to be able to handle their own equipment. It should be considered, however, whenever two paddlers must walk far distances on smooth terrain. Sea Kayakers on the other hand are less vain when it comes to this carry and have no problem sharing the burden of lugging around their often monstrously heavy vessels. Both people involved should follow all of these steps.
- Place the two kayaks next to each other on the ground.
- Place all of your gear inside of the kayaks.
- Position a person in the front and in the back of the kayaks.
- Both people should face the same direction and not each other.
- Bend down at the knees and reach for a kayak with each hand.
- Take hold of the grab loops of each kayak and stand up together.
- When both partners are ready, you may begin to walk forward.
Boat Over Shoulder
This is the most common method of carrying a whitewater kayak. It is also the one in which kayakers most often get sore shoulders and bruised trapezius muscles. Sea Kayakers should avoid this method if they are paddling with a friend that is willing to help them.
- Place your gear on your body or securely inside of the kayak.
- Stand on one side of your kayak.
- Bend down at the knees.
- Grab the far side rim of the kayak with one hand.
- Use the other hand to balance the kayak as you lift it up.
- Hold the kayak over your shoulder.
- Do not let the full weight of the kayak rest on your shoulder.
Boat Over Shoulder Variation
This is similar to the previous method with the exception that you don’t hold the kayak up with your arm. Instead, you place your arm inside of the kayak and rest the kayak along your back. This method offers a good respite from a long carry and a sore arm using the previous method. You can alternate between the two methods as comfort allows.
- Place your gear on your body or securely inside of the kayak.
- Stand on one side of your kayak.
- Bend down at the knees.
- Grab the far side rim of the kayak with one hand.
- Use the other hand to balance the kayak as you lift it up.
- Briefly rest the kayak on your shoulder.
- Place your arm inside of the cockpit of the kayak.
- Allow the kayak to be supported along your back.
- Do not let the full weight of the kayak rest on your shoulder.
Final Tip
If your shoulder or trapezius muscle is sore or bruised, you can take your spray skirt off and use it for a pad to buffer the pressure of the kayak against your body. Over time and through working out your body will grow immune to the soreness and bruising from carrying your boat.
