The invention is a rigid-decked spray skirt for use with a kayak operable to fit about the cockpit rim. A rigid deck member under the flexible spray skirt rests on the cockpit rim and spans the front portion of the cockpit opening. The invention also comprises a rigid deck plate for use with a flexible kayak spray skirt. The rigid deck plate is arc-shaped and is substantially congruous with the front portion of the cockpit opening. The rigid plate member covers the front portion of the cockpit opening. In this way the rigid deck plate provides support to flexible spray skirts used with kayaks. The invention further comprises a spray skirt that is substantially rigid. Still further, in another embodiment, the front portion of the spray skirt is substantially rigid, while the remainder of the spray skirt is flexible.