The 'scramble' is exactly what it sounds
like: a rescue technique that has a swimmer climb back on top of their
boat, and then slide back into the cockpit, all without the aid of
another paddler's help, or the use of any dedicated rescue gear. It's
quite a balancing act, but it's really fast, and with a little practice,
is easier to do than you might suspect.
From the water, flip
your boat back upright. If possible, lift the bow as you rotate it, as
this will scoop the least amount of water into the cockpit.
To
re-enter, approach your boat from the side, at the stern. While keeping a
firm hold of your paddle, secure a good grip of the cockpit rim with
one hand, and reach across the boat with the other. Now dynamically pull
yourself up, chest down, onto the stern deck. A powerful and well-timed
kick of the legs will help launch you up out of the water.
Once
up on the stern deck, staying as low as possible, throw a leg over the
kayak so that you're straddling it with your head towards the bow.
Having a leg in the water on each side of the boat will help stabilizing
you, as will staying low.
Slide forward and get a grip on the
front of the cockpit rim. Once your pelvis is over the cockpit opening,
quickly drop your butt down into the seat. Once your backside hits the
seat, your center of gravity will be far lower and you will feel much
more stable. Using your paddle for support, pull your legs in under the
deck. Finally, pump out any excess water in the cockpit and get your
skirt back on.
While the scramble is most effective in mild
conditions and won't work in really rough water, it's a great addition
to any paddler's repertoire of rescue techniques. It's also a lot of fun
to practice. Be aware that the scramble is easier to perform on kayaks
with low stern decks. The lower the rear deck, the easier it is to haul
yourself up onto it from the water, and the lower the deck, the more
stable you will be once you're up there. Obviously, a kayak with strong
initial stability also makes things easier. If you want extra support
from your paddle while 'scrambling', attach a paddle float to your blade
before starting your re-entry.
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 Step 3
 Step 4
Photos ©2006 Rochelle Relyea
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