Equipment for Sea Kayaking: Suggestions

Suggesting the "right" gear to bring on any sort of outdoor adventure is always an invitation to argument. Indeed "the ten essential items to bring on a hike" has sparked many (usually) good-natured canonical debates. With that in mind, we tread lightly into this topic with several lists.

These lists are general guidelines. Leaders set gear requirements for individual trips based on their own experience and assessment of the trip requirements. None of these lists should be taken to imply that it's allowable to follow a lower standard than the trip leader has set.

The Minimum for All

This list spells out what we would generally consider to be the absolute minimum for any sea kayaker venturing out on the ocean even under benign conditions and accompanied by other paddlers more experienced and better equipped; i.e., a paddler equipped per this minimal list is not really self-sufficient.

"Luxury" Items

These are items that we suggest participants may want to bring on a trip. Most are not directly safety related but may help to prevent blisters, burns, and lost stuff. They're generally a good idea and can lead to a more pleasurable experience.

The Basic Leader / Well-Equipped Participant

These are items over and above those associated with basic paddling that a leader should carry for most trips. In general, these items are what we would consider the "basic self-sufficient" paddler would carry plus a few additional things that leaders typically have laying around the house that could benefit others in the group before or during the trip. Of course, leaders should have tried out their tow systems and paddle floats so they're comfortable using them. Especially on intermediate and higher level trips, leaders may require that trip participants bring some or all of the gear in this section.

The Fully-Equipped Paddler

These items go beyond the basics. Many find these additional items to be useful when the weather closes in and in other situations. As such, they are items that many paddlers find worth investing in over time as part of their paddling gear. The more advanced the trip or potentially tricky the conditions, the more important some of these items could become. Keep in mind that gear isn't useful unless you know how to use it and how to gain access to it in an emergency situation.

Updated 2 June 2003