There are many different reasons where a paddler needs to be towed. A few of the reasons can be injury, sickness, fatigue, picture taking, lost paddle (you should have had a spare) or cannot keep up with the group. Towing also has a nasty stigma attached to it called "failure" which inhibits more frequent use of the tow rope. Please see published article "Team Towing" (on the USK web site) that discusses these issues.

Since I have guided hundreds of groups I have had more than my fair share of towing opportunities. There are many towing methods and configurations. When a paddler needs to be stabilized while being towed, my preferred towing method is one kayak towing two kayaks. You may think that one towing two is a lot of work but once you give it a try I think you will be surprised. It is very common to hear from students in towing clinics say, "it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be." Anytime you tow another you are working harder than paddling just your own kayak. However, I have been on trips where one has towed two for six to ten miles and the group stayed together without the towers falling behind. I suggest you give it a try to see for yourself. Also, if you only have three in a group you may not have any other alternative.

The main reason two paddlers need to be towed is one of the towees cannot remain upright on their own. A second paddler needs to stabilize the other. Most often I have encountered this with a very seasick paddler who needs to be stabilized because they are so dizzy they could capsize if they were not held upright.

The person I get to stabilize the unstable boater is usually the weakest of the remaining paddlers. This way I have stronger paddlers ready to help if I need it. However, I once used my strongest paddler and we switched the stabilizing position every 30 minutes. This way each of us had a 30 minute rest period. Your decision as to who will tow should be based on your resources, environmental conditions, towing distance and time available.

Even though we say we have one towing two it is really one towing one with the second kayaker (the stabilizer) hanging on to the kayak being towed going for a ride. I think this is an important distinction to make which we will discuss in more detail later. Our pictures and discussion will use the seasick paddler as an example.

We noticed our seasick paddler and established they cannot continue on their own and they need to be towed and stabilized. (See USK article, "The Seasick Paddler") In this case the stabilizing paddler has taken a position parallel to the sick paddler. They decided to let the sick paddler lean over the two paddles being used as a bridge for a greater sense of stability. This can also be done without the paddle bridge. The assisting paddler lays across the second kayak and holds the cockpit coaming on each side for additional stability. It is important for the assisting paddler to fully rest on the sick paddler's boat so their own kayak is more on edge which streamlines the towing process.

There are a number of reasons for resting behind the sick paddler rather than in front of them. Aside from the obvious reason of not wanting to be in front of a sick person, I personally find I am more comfortable on the back deck and have greater control of both kayaks. When I am doing the stabilizing, it is my responsibility to keep my kayak on edge with my bow close to the disabled kayak to give the least amount of resistance for towing .

The most difficult part of doing the stabilizing is keeping your kayak close to the kayak being towed. Hanging on is relatively easy because you are resting on the other kayak. It is more difficult if you just try to hold the kayak with your hands and sit upright.

One of the devices that I have seen used is called a "Deck Sling". See USK article "Deck Sling." I have also heard it referred to as a "Paddle Park" but I prefer deck sling. The deck sling has many purposes that can be discussed in a future article. The deck sling has a clip on each end of a rope or webbing 60 - 64 inches long. The length depends on the width from deck line to deck line and how loose you wish to keep it. The deck sling is under both deck lines and then the ends are clipped to the opposite deck line.

In this case I have unclipped the sling from my deck line and then attached it to the deckline on the kayak that is next to me which is representing the unstable kayak that is being towed. My deck sling will help keep us together.

Keeping the kayaks together can take a lot of work if you do not develop good techniques. In the picture with the car you can see how much the stabilizer is edging their kayak to keep the kayaks together. Their kayak has a white hull which you see is very much exposed because they are laying on the back deck of the unstable kayak. When resting on the back deck, you use your outside knee/thigh (under the coaming) to pull your bow (and hold it) against the kayak you are resting upon. The closer you keep your bow to the other kayak the less work you have to do and the less resistance you create making it easier for the one doing the towing.

Once the unstable kayaker is being stabilized it is time to get towed. The one doing the towing goes to the bow to clip in. See USK article "Clipping In For A Tow." As you will read in the referenced article, there are many different towing clips and places to clip onto depending on the kayak.

I only clip onto the kayak of the sea sick paddler. I do not like attaching the stabilizer's kayak to the tow line because I want them to be able to disengage without having to wait for someone to unclip them. Unless I am the one being towed I do not like being held to a tow line that is out of my reach.

After you have chosen your attachment point position your tow belt to allow the line to play out as you paddle forward. Once the line is totally out, the resistance from the towee usually positions the tow belt with the line behind you. The belt needs to be loose enough to allow the belt to slide around your waist.

As with any tow, you will be working harder until you get the boat(s) up to speed. Once the boats are moving then it takes a lot less energy to keep them moving. An elastic shock cord attached somewhere along the tow rope greatly reduces any jerking feeling. When you find your rhythm stick to it. As I mentioned earlier, one towing two is not as strenuous as people would think.

When you look at other towing configurations that require more people towing the orchestration of the towers takes longer and takes more communication.

A quick release belt on my towing system is essential for many reasons. Being able to quickly disconnect from a tow line is an important safety feature. When I need to relinquish the towing to another paddler my quick release tow belt allows a very efficient transfer. I just open the belt buckle and hand the tow belt to the next paddler who plans to do the towing.

If there are only three of us, I can let the two kayaks glide up to me after I stop. Then I can assume the stabilizing position and hand the tow belt off to the other paddler who was stabilizing and resting for the last leg. I usually recommend 30 minute legs.

If you are a guide and/or only like to paddle with one other paddler, then you need to think about some other ways to stabilize the unstable paddler. The use of "Sea Wings is a wonderful alternative. See USK article "Sea Wings Recoveries and Uses." Here we have one towing one with the unstable kayak being kept upright by the use of sea wings. I like sea wings over using two paddle floats on a paddle because the sea wings seem to cause less resistance of the two. If you do use a paddle under the elastic decklines with a paddle float on each end, expect to have the shaft moving around under the lines unless you secure the paddle really well. When the seasick paddle leans from side to side, the paddle float that touches the water sometimes causes the kayak being towed to veer off course.

We can see the seasick paddler leaning forward while being towed. The stability provided, in this case is from the sea wings, along each side of the kayak increases the beam of the kayak thus adding stability. Keep in mind that sea wings are not capsize proof. One can still go over if the unstable paddler leans too far to the side.

These two examples of using floatation aides for stabilizing a paddler are only alternatives to be used if you do not have another paddler to help you stabilize the unstable paddler's kayak. Keep in mind the unstable paddler can still capsize with these floatation aides if they lean to far. They are probably best used if the paddler being towed is only mildly dizzy. If the paddler were very unstable I would probably use a contact tow which is another towing possibility.

It is nice to have alternatives when challenges come your way. Towing a disabled paddler that cannot keep upright on their own can be managed without too much difficulty, if you have the right equipment, enough paddlers and have practiced the skill before it was a necessity. I suggest you get three friends and have a practice towing day. First begin with two pairs doing a one on one tow. Then rotate through a one on two tow. It is important to assume each part of the one on two configuration to help you better understand the dynamics in each position by actually experiencing it. I also suggest you try the two towing two configurations in the "V" formation and the line formation. If you have time try the double outrigger with the paddle and two paddle floats. See what happens when the paddler being towed leans from side to side. Here is another good reason why every paddler should carry a paddle float. This way any two paddlers can make the double outrigger.

Above all please remember that being towed is not a sign of failure. Towing is a way to share the energy.

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Towing pictures seen above were taken from the USK Video "Capsize Recoveries and Rescue Procedures" . Thank you Hadley, Mike & Tom. Any use of this article and/or pictures is prohibited without written consent from USK.

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