practice how to climb back in to an ocean kayakBefore we go ocean kayaking, the De Anza College Outdoor club offers potential participants a chance to paddle a kayak a little in the De Anza pool and intentionally fall out of, then try to climb back into, an ocean kayak. (This lesson is not required for any of our kayaking trips.)
Details about this lesson are at kayaking / canoeing lessons
People wear their lifejackets and mostly practice with a partner, as they should learn not only the skill of climbing back in, but of balancing while your partner climbs back in.
We usually start with people in a kayak who then fall out and right the kayak:
 
Then one partner climbs back in while the other balances the kayak from in the water:
 
The first person either can stay lying on the kayak to balance it, or perhaps put their feet in the water, or just balance by shifting their weight:
 
 
 
and finally, success:
I missed the photo opportunities of the second person trying to get in and dumping their partner back into the water, but maybe I'll do better next time.
Most people who go on our Spring Break Monterey ocean kayak day trip don't get in the pool and practice this ahead of time.
Below is what it looks like on Monterey Bay when a trip member falls out of a boat. We paddle in large or small groups so there is always someone near you to help steady your boat:
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