Kayaking Essentials — 15 Must Bring Items for a Successful Trip! 
Ok, let me ask you, have you ever set the alarm clock for dawn or earlier, jumped out of bed, thrown all your kayaking gear into the car, loaded up the yak on your roof or trailer, driven to the body of water of your choice, and launched into your happy place…. Only to realize that you forgot something!
If you are like me, I’m sorry if you are, this is a normal occurrence! I wanted to write this blog post to help my fellow kayakers arrive for a day of recreation with all the essentials, everything they need to have a fun filled adventure. Perhaps by the end of this article I may even point out something you didn’t even know you needed! So here it goes, “Kayaking Essentials — 15 Must Bring Items for a Successful Trip!”
This blog post will focus primarily on you! What do you need to bring in order to be safe and comfortable! The first thing you need to worry about is yourself. Our number one concern should always be safety. When I go out on the water, I always wear my Personal Floatation Device (PFD). It is just smart! But no one wants to wear something that is not comfortable or is not functional.
I also believe that communication is important on the water. You never know when you might need assistance out on the water. You could break a paddle, lose the functionality of your mirage drive, or other propulsion device, or you or one of your yak buddies could have some type of medical emergency. I highly recommend carrying a small but powerful Two-Way Marine Radio with you on any trip. Most people carry and rely on their cell phone (And you should definitely have yours with you), but cellphones can be dropped into the drink and lost, or more common, you can lose cell signal. A marine radio is just a nice back up to have. You will not miss it until you need it and don’t have it!
Speaking of Medical Emergencies, it is a very good idea to have an Emergency First Aid Kit on board. Make sure you look through it and know how to use each item it contains. If you use something in it, make sure you replace it! Always restock!
I have one additional item if you are planning on going out before sunrise or stay out after sun set. I would suggest that you consider carrying some type of light signaling device. This could be in the form of a simple marine grade flare, a flare gun, or a battery powered signal light.
Safety extends beyond your typical standard safety gear though. You should also think about protecting yourself from the elements. Two main dangers to think about are sun exposure and hypothermia from the wind, rain, water, and cold temperatures.
First you need to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays that are the pleasure and the bane to every kayaker’s life! Listen guys and gals, wear Sunscreen! It only takes a few minutes to apply and it will not only make your adventure (and the day after your adventure) more comfortable, it literally could save your life. Skin cancer is not a joke, we all should take it very seriously.
In addition to sunscreen, there are several apparel companies out there that offer great UV protecting outerwear. I almost always kayak in long pants and long sleeves. Granted, I am as fair skinned as they come, but especially for an extended day on the water, I just think covering up is a good idea.
Speaking of covering up, don’t forget to protect your head! Wear a hat of some type. Along those same lines, your eyesight is one of your most precious possessions. Protect your eyes with a pair of sunglasses that provide UV protection. Add polarization and you will not only be protected from the UV rays, but cut out the glare from the surface of water as well.
The sun is also very good at dehydrating the unsuspecting kayaker! Make sure you bring along plenty of water in your favorite beverage container(s) along with you for your trip. One solution to reduce the amount you have to carry is the addition of a life straw to your survival kit. These straws allow you to drink just about any water you find without fear of getting sick or catching a parasite. Along the same lines as hydrating, make sure to pack an energy bar or two. It will give you an added boost out on the water.
Not always as obvious as the glaring sun shining right into your face, protection from other weather elements is just as important. It doesn’t take long for a quick storm to roll in and soak you to the bone, or for the temperature to fall and cause your core body temperature to drop. I suggest always bringing along some kind of rain protection.
There are several outer rain garments out there that pack down super small and can be packed onboard without taking up much of your precious cargo space.
I am sure that you know this, but I cannot stress it enough. Make sure that you are checking the weather before you head out on your adventure. Then, make sure you pack the appropriate gear for that weather. Especially important, if it is going to be cold, dress for the cold. You can always take garments off if you bring too many, but if the temperature drops quickly and unexpectantly and you do not have the right clothing, you can get in trouble really fast. For cold weather adventures, dress in layers and make sure your garments are moisture wicking and water repelling.
Well, that about does it for this post. Now that you know how start making that packing list, you’re ready to go out and make memories on the water without worrying about your personal safety. This list is certainly not all inclusive, I am sure I have left some things out. Make sure you leave a comment with your ideas of what you think we kayakers should bring in order to be safe on our water adventures. I will update this blog with your suggestions. Make sure you check back regularly, as my next blog post will continue on this theme of what to bring on your next kayaking adventure!
PS — Here is a list of all the items recommended in this article:
“Kayaking Essentials — 15 Must Bring Items for a Successful Trip!”
- Personal Floatation Device
- Whistle, or Air horn
- Two-Way Marine Radio
- Emergency First Aid Kit
- Marine Grade Flare or Flare Gun, and/or
- Battery Powered Signal Light
- Sunscreen
- UV protecting outerwear
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Beverage Container(s)
- Life Straw
- Energy Bar
- Rain Protection
- Moisture Wicking and Water Repelling Warm Garments
Great stuff thanks from one noobie to Another
Thank you so much!!!
This is a great list, I am missing a few items. Thanks again for starting tris blog, it looks great, looking forward to your next blog.
Thank you so much for the great feedback! So far, “all things kayak” has been a success! I appreciate the feedback and I will do my best to post regularly!
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