Essential gear for your paddling adventure
By Greg Horan on April 18, 2012, 9:39pm
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Over the past several days temperatures have been very warm, which has led many of us to start thinking about prepping for the boating season. Being an avid kayaker myself I wanted to share some of the gear that I bring along with me when I go out on a paddling trip.
Bags and storage boxes: There are many bags and boxes that are available. Some are quite expensive. A cheaper and simple idea is to use large Ziplock bags to hold small items, which will most likely be fine for a day trip. I also use a small box called an Otter Box that is waterproof for my cell phone, keys, and wallet.
Kayaking gloves: I find thin fingerless gloves to be good for gripping the paddle, but also for sun protection. Your hands can get quite burned while being out on the water. Using sunscreen on your hands and fingers will often make it difficult to grasp the paddle.
Clothes: I usually prefer long sleeve wicking shirts. This kind of shirt will give you protection from the sun. The sleeves are light enough to keep you from overheating. Also the wicking of the shirt will help keep you drier and more comfortable then a cotton t-shirt. I also recommend a packable light weight jacket, it will keep you comfortable if the temperature drops or if you get caught in a sudden downpour!
Hat: A wide brimmed hat is your best bet. It will cover your ears, and neck more than a baseball cap would.
Whistle: A basic whistle is inexpensive, but an essential safety tool. You can often get a whistle that has a compass built-in that can help for navigation.
Other things to consider:
The best time of day for kayaking is often the from sunrise to 10 am. The winds are usually calmer, which makes it easy to paddle. Also after 10 am the sun angle gets strong and the motor boat traffic typically increases.
Speaking of winds I usually don’t paddle when the winds hit 20mph or more, the paddling usually becomes quite challenging at that point! I would also recommend staying in a smaller lake vs. a large lake or Long Island Sound on breezy days.
I will have more on my favorite places to kayak in a future article!
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