• Put your kayak on the ground, cockpit facing up
• The red webbing loop goes around the central pillar in the front of your kayak and through both O-rings on the shoulder strap. Remember to thread on the storage bag before fastening the clip.
• Thread the black webbing on the shoulder straps through the rescue bars behind the cockpit (one strap through each bar).
• Adjust the shoulder straps to roughly your size. Extend / shorten the red loop so that when you lift your shoulder straps the two O-rings more or less line up with the cockpit ring.
• Stand the kayak up on the stern and extend the adjustable shoulder straps to make it easier to put the kayakon to your shoulders.
• Stand with your back to the kayak and put your arms through the shoulder straps.
• Bend your knees in a sightly forward leaning position pull down the loose ends of the shoulder straps until both sides become equally tight.
• Still leaning forward carefully stand up with your kayak.

Walking with a Turtleback

When correctly set up your head should fit inside the cockpit, with the kayak on your back. To gain more ground clearance pull down the loose ends of the shoulder straps (black webbing) and lift the kayak further away from the ground. This is best done on one side then the other.

Make sure you spend some time to find the setting that works best for you. Ideally do this in your paddling equipment as you will be carrying your kayak whilst wearing your buoyancy aid and helmet.

When putting your kayak on your back it might help to rest your kayak against a solid structure (wall or large solid tree) or have someone holding the kayak.

When walking with the Turtleback make sure that you lean slightly forward, just like you would when carrying a heavy rucksack.

Look out for low hanging branches or other obstacles (Slalom wires etc) as you walk.

It is advisable that you remove your kayak from your back when entering dense woods or when walking on precarious paths where falling (into the river or onto rocks) is a possibilty.

Tips If you are struggling

Strap digging into the back of your neck/back?

Your red loop is too tight. Carefully lengthen it to find the most comfortable stting.

Kayak topples backwards

Your red look is too long, pull it tighter.

Kicking the kayak when walking

You need to lift the kayak up and shorten your shoulder straps. You may need to adjust the red loop to do this.

Safety Notice

It is highly recommended that you practise with your Turtleback and make sure you can put your kayak onto your back and remove it alone.

All buckles are quick release. Press on the sides of the buckles and you can drop your kayak quickly. This should only be used in an emergency. Make sure that you are safe and the falling kayak will not hit your paddling partners or any members of the public.

To avoid entrapment always check that all of your straps are safely stored in the storage pouch before you start paddling. This is very important!

Paddle Sports are dangerous. Participants recognise that whitewater kayaking can cause injury or death. Make sure you know how to correctly use your equipment and always take all necessary precautions to avoid injury.