like the other fellow said, to get in dry, put the kayak floating parallel
to the shore and step in which should ground the kayak in hsallow water.
Once you're in wiggle the boat to get it floating again. I haven't used
the paddle as a prop on a kayak, just crouched down and grabbed the sides
of the cockpit, but I do use the paddle in a very small home made boat. If
the water is too deep to ground the kayak when you step in the paddle prop
would be the way to do.

to get out I paddle the kayak in parallel to the shore leaning away from
the shore a bit until it grounds, then lean toward shore to ground it
solidly and step out if I can, being stiff and sore after sitting on my
butt for so long.

another technique people use to get in which isn't good for the kayak is
to sit in it on shore and work it into the water by pushing down on the
ground with your hands while sliding the kayak forward, called the
"gorilla walk"

I've tried walking the kayak out to knee deep water but that just makes it
harder to get in. The only time I've tipped over getting in was in knee
deep water.


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