Rescue Practice at Half Moon Bay Saturday June 27, 2026

Hosted by: Jim Murdy

To paddle with Canoe and Kayak Paddlers you must be a member of Western Sea Kayakers Club and have signed the annual waiver:

Join club: https://www.westernseakayakers.org/content.aspx?page_id=60&club_id=391318
Waiver: https://form.jotform.com/JLAagency/western-sea-kayakers-waiver

Meet time: 9 am; 10 am on the beach safety talk and ready to paddle; On the water 10:30 am.

Location: in front of HMB Kayaks, 2 Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay
Looking for an opportunity to practice exiting a sit in kayak, performing a self rescue or assisted rescue? Then this event is for you!
Sit in rentals are available from Half Moon Bay kayaks
Off the water planned for 2:00 but can go longer
YOU WILL GET WET
Agenda:

• Introductions
• Safety briefing and gear check
• Swim in full gear, adjust gear afterwards
• Short paddle to practice location (Pillar Point Harbor beach unless windy)
• Review skirt removal options (practice later)
• Wet exit practice, required if you have not done a wet exit yet. Recommended if you have new skirt or boat, and anyone can just practice
• T Rescues
• Paddle Float rescues
• Scramble Rescue
• Bow Rescue
• If time allows Hand of god and scoop
• Paddle back

Required:
PFD and paddle float.
Sit in kayak with bulkheads or float bags in both bow and stern.
Helmet suggested
Dress for immersion, you will get wet
Recommended: Drysuit is best or wetsuit/paddle jacket with multiple layers of polyester/fleece.
Bring snacks/Hydration. Chocolate likely to appear

General Info:
Any questions: contact me Jim Murdy [zilbersurfer@gmail.com](mailto:zilbersurfer@gmail.com) or 408 206 2377
This is posted in both club calendar and meetup Please register in the club calendar so we know who is coming.

This is not a formal class, but rescue practice with experienced kayakers helping less experienced boaters, everyone learns!
For new/not fully geared paddlers, Half Moon Bay Kayaks has a limited number of sit in kayaks and will rent to newer paddlers if they know they are part of this group paddle. HMB also rents wet suits (included with a boat rental) Best is to call 650 773 6101 Arrive by 9 to rent in order to be ready by 10. https://www.hmbkayak.com/

Some members of club may have spare boats to loan, so respond and note if you are looking for a loaner with your size.
Past sessions have been a lot of fun and learning
I will be looking for experienced paddlers to attend to share their knowledge and a co-lead or two.

I would encourage as many people as possible to attend, as

• Many of us do not practice as much as we should, this is focused practice time
• Gives a chance to practice if you have new gear and/or boats
• it is lot of fun and good way to chat and get to know club members new and not so new
• Everyone has insights to add, the more people the better the practice is
• Chance to practice rescues, all to better prepared for a real rescue
• good time to push limits of secondary stability, rather than just flip do a brace, scull etc until you can't recover
• There will be chocolate

If there are enough paddlers to split off, it is possible a more experienced group can practice in rougher water, but we will be scheduling an open water/advanced rescue practice in the fall.

This event is sponsored by Western Sea Kayakers Club