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Flatwater Kayaking


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Both kayaking and canoeing are two of the earliest human activities based on bodies of water. Even then, people understood the peacefulness of following a river and enjoying its many rapids or adventuring around the sea or lake. Today it is a popular sport and pastime for many, regardless of age and gender. They all have one goal, to become one with nature and flow together with the lake, sea, river, or creek they are paddling on.

Kayaking Equipment

  • Kayak
  • Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
  • Paddle
  • Backup Paddle
  • Bilge Pump
  • Dry Bag
    orDry Box

Optional

  • Paddle Float
  • Paddle Leash
  • Emergency Whistle
  • Emergency Flare
  • Headlamp
  • Helmet
  • Kayak Chair
  • Throw Rope
  • Extra Rope
  • Bungee Cords

Before setting out on your own kayaking trip, make sure you have someone who knows the river, with you. This can be a friend or a guide. Also, make sure you have all the security gear with you. Renting it is pretty easy, be it from companies, friends, or outfitters. In other words, every person needs their own PFD and paddle, even if they are a good swimmer, and if the water is totally flat, this is a must.

Once you have the safety part covered, you will need a kayak and a double paddle for each person. Inside the kayak, there is a bilge, for which you will need a pump to inflate. In case your paddle breaks, you will need a backup, so a foldable paddle is a must. Also, all of your personal stuff can go in the dry bag.

These three items (backup paddle, pump, and dry bag) will need to be with you at all times, and it is best to store them on the bungee cords of the kayak or inside it. Most people will also bring a paddle float for easier access to their kayak if they fall out, a paddle leash so their paddle doesn’t float away, and emergency gear like a whistle and flare.

Don’t forget to bring your headlamp for night paddling, a helmet if needed, a chair for inside the kayak (if the kayak allows for this), and finally, rope and bungee cords for extra security.

Overnight Trip

Campsite

  • Reservations
    orPermit
  • Tent
    orHammock
    orBivy Bag
    orTarp
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Pillow
  • More Waterproof Bags
    orWaterproof Backpack

Cooking

  • Water Purification Method
  • Cooking Stove
    orMicro Stove
  • Cooking Utensils
  • Mug
  • Eating Utensils
  • Plates
  • Food Storage Bag

Clothing

  • Nightwear
  • Underwear
  • Bandana
  • Insulating Layers
  • Base Layer
  • Extra Shirts
  • Extra Pants

Pasttimes

  • Fishing Gear
  • Book
    orKindle
  • Games

Most flatwater trips with guides, but also self-guided ones, are an excellent time to spend with your group. That is why most of these trips are planned and undertaken with overnight stays. For each stay, you will need a reservation or permit, but also camping gear like a tent (or other sleeping arrangements), sleeping bag, pad, pillow, and more waterproof bags and backpacks to store them in.

Cooking is a almost unavoidable in these conditions since canned food is often too heavy. Therefore, you will need a water purification method, a stove to cook your food on, and the needed utensils: mug, plates, pots, eating utensils, and a bag to store this gear in.

Since we are staying over the night, you will need to change out of your wetsuit and swimwear and slip into your nightwear. Don’t forget to bring extra underwear, shirts, and pants for lounging, as well as your bandana, base, and insulating layers in case it gets cold.

In the evening, you will also need pastimes like books or a kindle, games, and maybe fishing gear.

Personal Items

  • Permit
    orLicenses
  • Insurance Card
  • ID
  • Guidebook
  • Waterproof Map
  • Floating Compass
  • GPS Download of the Area
  • Extra
  • Water Bottle

Dry Bag Contents

  • Repair Kits
  • Emergency Blanket
  • Fire Starting Kit

In most cases, you will need a permit and license, if you are making a self-guided trip. You should also have your ID and insurance card on you, as well as a guidebook, map of any kind, and a map with marked launch and exit points.

As said above, your personal dry bag will be near you at all times, so make sure to place your essentials in it. These include water, repairs, a fire-starting kit, and an emergency blanket. Feel free to add anything else, like your phone and other emergency gear, into it. Just make sure not to overstuff it!

Repair Kit

  • Duct Tape
  • Multi-Tool
  • Sealant
  • Wire
  • Extra Lines and Cords
  • Replacement Rudder

You never know when something might go wrong, and that is why bringing a repair kit for every piece of gear is a must, especially in longer trips. Bring duct tape, sealant, and a multitool if something breaks on your kayak, wire and extra lines for your paddle and kayak attachments, and a replacement rudder, which is common to break in shallow water.

Technology

  • Phone
  • Waterproof and Floating Cellphone Case
  • Power Banks
    orSolar Charger

Photography

  • Camera
  • Waterproof and Floatable Case
  • Memory Cards
  • Extra Batteries

Optional

  • Satellite Phone
  • Walkie-Talkies
  • Chargers
  • Watch
  • Extra Batteries

Taking pictures and videos guarantee your memories won’t be lost. Therefore, bring a phone with a cellphone case, a backup satellite phone, and two-way radios for the first and last boat in your group.

You will need chargers and power banks as well, just like extra batteries for all of these appliances. A watch with GPS can make a difference, as well as a GPS itself.

If you want to record your trip with a camera, make sure to bring enough batteries, memory cards, and a waterproof and floatable case for it.

Hygiene And First Aid

  • First-Aid Kit
  • Signaling Whistle
  • Insect Repellent
  • Lighter

Hygene

  • Medications
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip Balm
  • Sunglasses
  • Menstrual and Urinary Products
  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • Toilet Paper
  • Bug Spray
  • Towel

Optional

  • Hand Warmers

Staying safe is a must, so a first aid kit, whistle, and insect repellent will keep you both safe and free of bites. In terms of hygiene, bringing your toiletries is a must if you are staying more than one day on the water.

Therefore, bring your medication, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, hand warmers, lighter, menstrual and urinary products, disinfectant wipes, toilet paper, bug spray, and towel with you.

Clothing

Kayaking Wear

  • Swimwear
  • Rashguard Shirt
    orSurfing Shirt
  • Shorts
    orMoisture Wicking Pants
  • Hat
    orCap
  • Sandals
    orNeoprene Booties

Cold Weather and Rain

  • Wet Suit
    orDry Suit
  • Base Layer
  • Gloves
    orNeoprene Gloves
  • Pogies
  • Spray Jacket
    orRain Racket
  • Rain Pants
  • Wool Socks

Everyone has the clothes for flatwater kayaking in warm weather in their closet. These include swimwear, rashguard, shorts, headcover, and sandals. If the weather is a tad colder, wear or rent neoprene footwear and a wetsuit.

If your trip gets unexpected rain or if you are setting out while the weather or season is colder, you will need more gear. This gear includes neoprene gloves and/or pogies, a spray jacket, rain pants, wool socks under your footwear, and wool gloves for your hands while on rest stops.

If the weather and water are much colder, wear a base layer and a dry suit that will keep you literally dry. Don’t forget that you are dressing for the water temperature and not the temperature outside. Also, never wear any cotton while on the water because it will quickly suck moisture in and leave you feeling cold the whole day.

Pic-Nic

Food

  • Energy Bars
  • Sandwiches
  • Cookies

Drinks

  • Water
  • Isotonic Drinks

In the case of day trips, all you need is a few snacks like energy bars or sweets, and if it’s a longer trip a few sandwiches. In any case, don’t forget to bring your water. If you plan on staying longer, plan your meal rations accordingly.

Regardless if you are enjoying the calmness of the sea or a local lake while flatwater kayaking or getting your rush from a creek or fast river in whitewater kayaking, spending time by water will always leave you calm and relaxed. If you don’t have experience, bring someone with you, that knows what they are doing and always stay in a group. In the end, it all comes down to going with the flow of the water.

Be Responsible

Think of our curated lists as your base camp - a good starting point, but you must assess the climb ahead yourself.

Comments


Profile photo of Me
9 months ago

Have you guys seen those clear kayaks?? Def want to try

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