While the popularity of kayaking has grown to include sit-on-top fishing platforms and recreational boats with huge, open cockpits, the use of sprayskirts on more traditional kayaks should be considered an important safety procedure among paddlers.

The primary purpose of a sprayskirt (a skirt-like garment worn by the paddler), is to be attached to the kayak cockpit’s coaming to seal that opening to prevent water from entering the boat. The firm, water tight seal makes the paddler and their boat one cohesive, water-impenetrable unit. In the event of waves crashing over the deck or a complete capsize, this seal prevents water from entering the interior of the boat. Excessive water sloshing around inside a boat adds weight and can severely affect…READ MORE.

by Tom Watson