How to care for your inflatable kayak

The first thing you should do when you get back to shore is empty your Itiwit inflatable kayak. To do so, simply open the drain plug at the back of the kayak's hull and tip it up to empty out all the water that is in the bottom.

Once you have done this, deflate your kayak (the seats can remain in place), fold the two sides in on each another and roll it up, trying not to leave any fold lines.

At home, you will need to unroll it to rinse it with fresh water and leave it to dry before rolling it back up again.

The best way to dry it out completely is to remove the seats and then the floor and leave them to dry separately. Once everything is dry, put it all back in place and pack your kayak into its bag. This way, it can wait patiently for your next trip, even if that's in a year's time.

Inflatable kayaks have 3 main bladders (2 side and the floor). These bladders are held in the  external fabric frame which provides protection from impact and abrasion. However, the bladders can rupture after coming into contact with a sharp object (rest assured the kayak is designed to allow you to get back to shore, even with 3 flat bladders). The fin rail can also be bent after a collision with a rock or if left exposed to heat for too long. This is quick and easy to repair, so you can do it yourself without having to bring your kayak back to your store.