What to Bring Kayaking: Basic and Safety Equipment
As kayaking becomes the worldwide go-to watersport, a lot of companies have been coming up with new products that can help make your kayaking experience better. But with the wide variety of choices available in the market, it’s becoming a little bit confusing, especially for those who are just starting out. So if you’re planning to go on a trip but don’t know what to bring kayaking, just keep on reading this article.
Aside from your vessel, you’ll need to bring a couple of kayaking essentials—maybe even some non-essential things to make your kayaking trip go smoothly. Lucky for you, this article will talk about all the gears and equipment you’ll need for your next kayaking adventure, from necessities to additional safety items so you’ll know what to bring kayaking.
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What to Bring Kayaking: Getting Started
To start off, let’s talk about the basics. Here is a list of the essential equipment and what to bring kayaking:
Kayak
Obviously, the most important piece of equipment to answer the question “What to bring kayaking” is a kayak.
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Of course, you don’t have to buy a full-on vessel straight away, especially if you’re a beginner. You can always just rent from outlets and join kayaking group tours if you want to try it out first so you can figure out which type of kayak fits you best.
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There are a few types of kayaks available in the market. From sit-on-top kayaks to sit-in kayaks, the best way to figure out which kind is perfect for you is to find the one that feels comfortable based on your preference.
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The type of kayak you’ll need will also depend on the kind of activity you’re going to do. For example, if you’re going to paddle in a calm lake, it’s best to use a recreational kayak; but if you’re going to paddle in the ocean, you might want to consider using a sea kayak.
Paddle
Again, this might sound obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning the importance of a kayak paddle because, well, you can’t simply go kayaking without one, right?
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Now, if you want to know what type of paddle to get, just make sure you find a double-bladed kayak paddle that feels stable and comfortable. The length should be about 82 to 102 inches, depending on your height. The taller you are, the longer the paddle should be.
Wetsuit, Drysuit, and Wet Shoes
Another common question along with “What to brink kayaking?” is “What to wear kayaking?”. The simple answer is that it should depend on the weather condition and the water temperature of your chosen location.
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For example, if it’s warm and sunny and you’re going to paddle through flat water, we recommend wearing a shirt and some shorts. But for colder weather, we recommend you wear a wetsuit or a drysuit.
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Additionally, another thing you can wear is a pair of wet shoes. These are footwear made with rubber soles to help you walk on slippery rocks, shores, and more, ensuring your safety during your kayaking journey.
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Dry Bag
What to bring kayaking? Of course, dry bags! Dry bags are a basic essential item you need with any recreational watersport.
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A dry bag will come in handy if you want to keep your gadgets, clothes, or even your first aid safe, secure, and away from water.
What to Bring Kayaking: Safety Gear
As with any other outdoor activity, safety should always be your top priority because you never know what will happen during your trip. So here is a list of kayaking safety equipment so you know what to bring kayaking:
Buoyancy Aid
No matter what watersport you’re going to do, the number one rule is to wear some type of floatation. When it comes to kayaking, the best type you can wear is a buoyancy aid. This personal floatation device allows for more movement than a normal life jacket so you can easily move your arms to paddle.
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When people ask “What to bring kayaking?”, buoyancy aid should be the number one answer (aside from the kayak itself, of course).
Remember that even the strongest swimmers should still wear buoyancy aids since kayaking can be a dangerous sport, especially in unpredictable weather and water conditions.
Paddle Floats
Some kayakers may think that paddle floats are just unnecessary accessories. But for beginners, paddle floats can be essentials since they can help you get back into your vessel after a capsize. These paddle float can be attached to each side of each blade, helping you stabilize your kayak quickly.
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There are two types of paddle floats. One is a foam with a quick assembly time while the other one is an inflatable paddle float that takes a little longer to set up.
Whichever one you use, it will surely help your safety in the water.
Knives
We know what you’re thinking… “Why would I need knives on my trip?”. Well, to put it simply, a knife is a great kayaking safety equipment that’s often overlooked but is very essential when it comes to emergencies.
A kayaking knife can be very handy when unexpected things happen during your trip. Any pocket knife will actually do!
Rope Bags and Tow Lines
We recommend you take a rope bag with you whenever you’re going on a kayaking adventure. A rope bag has a rope loosely tucked inside. This kayaking safety gear is essential because you never know when you need to rescue another kayaker on site.
We highly suggest you bring one especially if you’re going to paddle alone.
On the other hand, a tow line can help you attach your kayak to another vessel if you or another kayaker is injured or becomes tired.
Bilge Pumps
This might sound new to a lot of beginners but a bilge pump is equipment that can remove water in your kayak when you re-enter after a capsize. Usually, kayakers go for a hand pump since it’s affordable and easy to use.
These pumps are made with foam collars so it also floats during emergencies.
What To Bring Kayaking – Conclusion
If you’re going on a water adventure but don’t know what to bring kayaking, make sure you have all the basic kayaking gear first. You’ll need a kayak, a paddle, watersport clothing, and a dry bag. But don’t forget the safety equipment too!
Remember to pack a buoyancy aid, a pair of paddle floats, a kayak knife, a rope bag, a tow line, and a bilge pump. These things may be often overlooked, but they will come in handy during emergencies.
Now you know what to bring kayaking. You can also learn more about kayaking by following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Review written by: Tom
Hi! My name is Tom. During the year I try to be on a paddle board as much as possible. By reading this blog you'll stay updated on everything I test on the water :)
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