Flip and Capsize procedure – self rescue technique

Waka Ama is a water sport and at some stage you are likely to flip the waka. When this happens it is important to remain calm and to have practiced the procedure below so that you are confident in being able to right the waka. All paddlers should be wearing a PFD prior to paddling.

When the waka rolls go with it and don’t try and leap out of the waka, if you leap out you can put yourself in the path of the ama which is coming down into the water. Hold onto your hoe if possible and once the waka has rolled over, calmly slip out of the spray skirt if you have one attached and return to the surface.

  • Once out of the waka do a verbal head count to make sure you have all 6 paddlers on the surface. Number off from seat 1 to 6.
  • Check to see if anyone is injured or needs help.
  • Make sure someone stays with anyone hurt or stressed.

Roles and tasks

  • Take control of the situation
  • Seat 1 – Collect the paddles or if someone is not confident at treading water have them hold the paddles for extra flotation. Seat 1 may also steady the waka by turning it into the waves or wind.
  • Seat 2 – Move to ama
  • Seat 3 & 4 – Climb over the waka and stand on the kiato (overhang on the non-ama side). Lie over the waka and hold the kiato (ama side).
  • Seat 5 – Move to ama
  • Seat  6 – Collect the paddles, stabilise the waka and call out the tasks.

Teamwork and communication is important to right the waka. On seat 6’s call, seats 3 & 4 pull the kiato up while standing on the overhang, seats 2 & 5 help the ama out of the water, seats 1 & 6 try and lift the waka as it rolls to let as much water out as possible. Seats 3 & 4 guide the ama down to the water and make sure no one is under the ama as it lowers. Try to gently lower the ama into the water as it has a lot of strain on it with the waka being full of water.

Bail out the water

This needs to be done quickly so that people can get out of the water as quickly as possible. In cold water hypothermia is a real risk.

  • Seats 2 & 5 get in and start bailing as fast as possible (this will also keep you warm).
  • Everyone else hold onto the waka hull.
  • Put all the paddles into the waka.
  • As the water empties get more paddlers into the waka. Seats 3 & 4 climb in followed by 1 & 6. Paddlers climb up on the ama side using the kiato. Other paddlers assist if having difficulty.
  • Be careful to not swamp the waka by climbing in before enough water has been bailed.
  • Swap bailing duties around to relieve tired paddlers and keep everyone warm and moving.

Paddle back to shore as soon as possible.

  • When everyone is back in the waka start paddling to shore.
  • Two seats can continue bailing while others paddle.
  • Bailing will keep you warm and the sooner everyone starts paddling the better.
  • Once back on shore and warm review how it went and what could be done better.
  • Check the waka for any damage as the kiato and ama are under a lot more stress when the waka is swamped.

Watch the short video below to get a good visual idea on how it works. Note the different names for waka parts but still the same technique.