Flatwater Kayaking

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.