Lifting A Kayak Without the Ouch!

Before lifting a kayak or paddling, make sure you've stretched and warmed up the muscles you're asking to do the work - it's very easy to throw your back out and this isn't fun. Get a Smart-Start with some good warm up exercises in Paddling Fitness - take a look, they're easy.

A heavy load isn't always the cause of back problems, simply lifting the wrong way could twist or concentrate all the load to one area which causes muscle strain. Your precious leisure time shouldn't be spent watching everyone from shore while you nurse back pain - so here's how to avoid doing this . . .

• Bend with your knees - lift with your leg muscles
• Take breaks if you have to carry for a long distance (like these guys) - - -
• Preview your path for any obstacles or uneven ground
• Use both hands to lift
• Avoid quickly hoisting the kayak - move in stages
• Keep the kayak close to your body
  
  

To move your kayak to the water edge, it's best not to drag it because you'll scratch up the bottom and thin the hull material.

The easiest way to lift a kayak is to have the benefit of a friend - you can each grab an end with the handy-dandy toggles located on each end of most kayaks. (You can never have enough friends)!

The second easiest way is a Kayak Cart. You can purchase a set of lightweight wheels that attach to one end or the center of the kayak. They allow one person to lift the other end by the carry toggle and easily move it to the water. These are specifically designed to move the kayak to the water edge after it is transported to the site - not to be used as a trailer.

But if you're lifting a kayak alone - here's how

• To lift a lightweight kayak (under 40 lbs) by yourself