In this article ande videos we’ll cover how to put on a spray skirt, and then how to put the spray skirt on your kayak.
A spray skirt is a key piece of kayaking gear as it is the single item that keeps the most water out of your kayak. For tips on picking out the right one, check out [How to Choose a Spray Skirt]
Here, we’ll first cover how to slide the spray skirt on your body. Should you lift it up like a pair of pants, or pull it over your head like a sweater?!
Then, we’ll go over how to sit in your kayak and get the spray skirt on the cockpit rim with minimal frustration.
After that, you’re all set to push into the water and start paddling!
Before any of this, it is important to have the right size of spray skirt. There are 2 key dimensions: the tunnel size, and the deck size. The tunnel size is relative to your torso, and the deck size is relative to the size of your kayak’s cockpit rim.
For any questions about how to size your spray skirt (and anything else about paddling), please feel free to contact our knowledgeable stuff below, or visit us in store.
AQ Outdoors Spray Skirt Collection
How to Put a Spray Skirt on Your Body
The first step is getting the spray skirt on you! Note: you might find this maneuver slightly more difficult in spring after all the winter holiday eating, but feel free to say your spray skirt shrunk if anyone sees you struggling!
Your spray skirt is one of the last pieces of gear you put on, right before your PFD. You need the spray skirt tunnel to be over your inner layers, but under your outer layer and PFD. This is especially the case when wearing a splash top, dry top, or dry suit that has an inner “tunnel.”
These tunnels are an inner layer that you pull down, which your spray skirt then slips over top of. Once the skirt is secure, fold down the outer layer of your dry gear to form a secure seal around the spray skirt. This outer layer often has velcro or draw strings to help make the connection even more secure.
If you're just in a wetsuit and spray top (or if your outer layer doesn't have a "tunnel" to pull over the spray skirt) then simply slide the skirt over your wetsuit and then put your splash top (or rain jacket -- this writer's been there) over top.
Follow the 3 steps below to put on your spray skirt. Sometimes there's a step in between 2 and 3: the full-body worm as you slowly inch the spray skirt up your torso while abruptly wriggling your hips from side to side. Once again, this writer's been there...
1. Position the spray skirt with the grab loop out in front
2. Lift one foot and step through the hole/tunnel, then lift your other foot through
3. Slide the tunnel up and over your torso until the bottom of the tunnel sits at the top of your hip bones
If your spray skirt's too low, it’ll cause issues when you sit in your kayak and secure it to the cockpit rim.
How to Put a Spray Skirt On Your Kayak
Now that you’re all kitted up (you have your PFD and helmet on, and your paddle is within arm’s reach, right?) sit in your kayak. Follow these steps to secure the skirt on the kayak rim:
1. Sit in the kayak and make sure the tunnel is above the seat back
If your tunnel is too low on your body, it will interfere with the seat back. This will cause discomfort on the water and extra difficulty putting your spray skirt on.
So, if your tunnel is hitting the seat back, pull up on the tunnel until it is above the seat back.
2. Lean back and seat the spray skirt
Lean back, then reach your arms back and flip the spray deck up and over the cockpit combing around the back of the seat. This helps to “hook” the spray skirt in, which will make the next step much easier.
If you don’t flip enough of the spray skirt deck over the cockpit rim, it’ll come loose when you try to fit the front part of the skirt. Generally, get the spray skirt over the entire back portion of the cockpit rim, and work your way forward far enough that the skirt also hooks over the “bend” on either side of the cockpit rim, roughly inline with the seat back.
3. Pull the spray skirt over the front of the cockpit
Reach your spray skirt gently forward and place your elbows on the cockpit rim over the top of the spray skirt to give it some pressure so it doesn't pop up. Then, put your thumbs either side of the pull tab.
Make sure your pull tab is flicked back! This will prevent it from getting caught under your spray skirt.
Put your thumbs in under the bungee either side of the pull tab, at 10 and 2 o’clock, and pull that over the front edge of the cockpit rim.
4. Seal the forward section of the spray skirt to your cockpit
From there, walk your hands up either side of your spray skirt, folding the bungee/rand under the cockpit rim as you go.
When you get to the front of your kayak, make sure the pull tab is outside of the spray skirt and accessible! You don’t want this tab to be under the spray skirt and inside the boat, as you need to be able to grab it if/when you have to wet exit or you get caught in a situation where you need to release your spray skirt and get out of your kayak.
Now shimmy your way to the water's edge and push in!
How to Put on a Spray Skirt: Closing Thoughts
Spray skirts are always tricky – you need it to form a tight seal on both your body and the kayak, to keep water out, but this can sometimes make it difficult to put on.
These core techniques can be easily practiced in the comfort of your home before you set out on the river. You can always fine tune these techniques too! The more comfortable, and quicker, you get at putting your spray skirt on, and sealing it on your kayak, then the faster you’ll get in the water and be a self sufficient paddler.
If you advance and move into more challenging whitewater, you'll likely one day find yourself putting in to an eddy no bigger than your boat, where you have to get into your kayak while it's in the water and expertly seal the spray skirt without taking on water or floating away. You'll be glad you honed your technique in those moments!
On the other hand, many a beginner (and advanced boaters...and this writer) have accidentally slid into the river before the spray skirt is on. Don't underestimate this skill...and be wary sitting in your kayak on a muddy slippery bank that goes straight to the river while you put on your spray skirt...
For any further questions, feel free to contact one of our knowledgeable staff below, or visit us in store.
AQ Outdoors Spray Skirt Collection
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