Our club has two different types of spraydeck:

Spraydecks for K1s/K2s can be used by anyone. They keep you warmer in winter and help to keep water out of your cockpit – highly recommended in winter. There are a couple of different designs, one with a zip and the other without. If the deck has a zip, you can put it on the kayak first, get in, and zip up. If the deck has no zip, you will need to wear the deck around your waist, get into the kayak and then put it on around the rim. It’s generally easier to put the deck on the back of the cockpit rim first. You might want someone to hold your boat whilst you do this! Generally I find the zipped variety easier to use.

We also have 5 neoprene spraydecks for use with our sea kayaks: Scorpios and Easky’s. The decks are all sized for the Easky’s which have a larger sized cockpit coaming (big deck size) so will be easier to fit and remove on the Scorpios. The club has a strict rule that you can only use these decks if you have demonstrated a ‘wet exit’ wearing a spraydeck to the satisfaction of one of the club’s coaches.

Put a neoprene spraydeck on before you put your BA on. If you have a double tunnel cag, the waist part of the spraydeck goes into the tunnel for a better seal. To put the deck on the boat, feed it around the back of the cockpit first and then stretch it over the front. Always make sure that the release loop is on the outside!

If the deck is a tight fit, wetting it before stretching it over the cockpit rim can often help.

If you capsize when wearing a spraydeck, don’t panic! It’s best to wait until the kayak is completely upside down before trying to get out. Grab the release loop and pull. The deck will come off easily. You can then push down on the cockpit rim and roll out of the boat. Keep hold of your kayak and paddle as you exit.

Call for help.