The Self Rescuing Son

My son desperately wants to go to westport with me.  I told him he had to be able to self rescue for me to even consider it.  Here is is... man I wish it was that easy for me.  Color me a pround papa.

       Looks like he has got it down in that lake.Conditions are rarely that calm in the salt.But it's a good starting point.We all have to crawl before we can run.
       Speaking of Westport-conditions are looking pretty smooth out there for this weekend.2 foot swells,fairly calm winds,though I haven't checked the tides yet.Could be a great time to bust a cherry and get a little salt on him.Plus ,the charters have been getting some Kings just off the kelp beds ,so there could be a bonus fish or 2 out there.

yep - that is the plan... as long as the weather stays as it is in the forecast.

Looks good although in the bottom pic, it looks like your son is too far down the stern when re-entering, making the bow rise like that. Minor point but it could mean the difference between re boarding and taking another swim in rough conditions especially

Looks like he tried to climb onto the kayak on the second picture.  It would be much easier if he just roll onto it then swing the legs over.

http://www.kayakanglermag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1409%3Aself-rescue-get-back-in-your-boat&catid=73%3Abuzz-bait&Itemid=142

That last on was either him goofing around... or it may have been his attempt to self rescue from the stern.  He did it from the side like he had been doing it his whole life... ahhh to be 14 again and know what I know now... and have the resources too.

Personally I think if you are not able to do a 30 second self rescue in calm conditions you shouldn't be out in the salt. Regardless of your age. I haven't actually timed myself but a self rescue should be fluid and easy or something is really wrong.

Another great benchmark!  He was way faster then that... heck, even I'm faster then that. 

30 seconds? Seems pretty long to me. Just thinking that if there is a 10 second period and if the waves are breaking you would have 10 seconds to hop aboard before the next breaker comes in.

For the 30 seconds I am counting flipping your boat back over. Not as easy when it is fully rigged for fishing vs when it is bare for playing around. Once the boat is righted it should be two kicks and a pull..... 5-10 seconds.