Gearing Up for Your Sea Kayaking Trip

       One of the best parts of any sport is the cool gear that makes the thing you love to do easier, more fun and more comfortable or just makes you look great while you do it!  Gear for outdoor sports is no exception and if you have ever been in the line up at Mec or your nearest outdoor equipment store, you will know that a lot of people enjoy GEARING UP for their outdoor adventures.
          Sea kayaking gear is very specialized as it involves water. Most of the equipment is water durable, water resistant or water proof. Most fabrics are quick drying. Most footwear is amphibious and most of this gear is kind of rubbery. At least through new fabric technology inventors have been able to make great waterproof gear that is breathable.
                         Let’s start at the top and work our way down. One very important part of any sea kayaking expedition is something to protect your head, both on the water and off. There are many types of hats for different weather. Waterproof hats for rain and wool toques for cool weather or caps to protect your head and face from the hot sun. One of each and you should be covered.
           The next concern on our way down to our feet is our eyes. The glare from the sun bouncing off of the water requires that we protect our eyes using sunglasses. Polarized lenses offer the best protection and the best vision. They help reduce glare so seeing into the water is easier. Checking to be sure your ultra cool shades protect you from ultraviolet rays is essential. The best sunglasses block out all of the rays the sun emits. A lanyard helps keep your glasses from tumbling into the water.
           Good sun screen for your face, neck, lips and nose is essential while paddling on water. Having crusty lips and a peeling nose is painful and encourages melanoma.  There are dozens of good sunscreens available but some are designed just for your lips and face. There are waterproof sunscreens ideal for paddling.
       Which clothes are the best to wear paddling?  The answer is … nothing made of cotton!  Being in, on and around water requires quick dry clothing made of combinations of synthetic fabrics. Even cotton underwear can be enough to keep you damp when you want to be warm and dry. There are many styles of clothing made specifically for paddling. Other sports clothing works well also provided it is quick drying. I would recommend long sleeves for on the water. The reflection of the sun off of the water can cause a good sun burn on exposed arms. If it is hot you can find light breathable materials. If it is raining you will want to wear a fleece layer for warmth and a good raincoat with a hood and with fasteners at the wrist and neck to keep the rain on the outside where it belongs. If you think you are going to get wet in really cold water a wet suit is a good idea. Paddling gloves for cold hands might be a good idea. They can be restricting though.
         Well we are at the feet already. You will need three types of footwear for paddling: waterproof sandals for hot days; neoprene boots for cooler days and good beach shoes. These are hiking boots with rubber soles that wrap around the sole. There is often standing water on the beach that you will have to walk through to get anywhere and having good rubber soles will extend the life of your  expensive hiking boots. Be sure that all of your  footwear fits PERFECTLY when you buy it. Perfect fit = no blisters!
              Now we can get into the sea kayaking gear! Of course you will need a sea kayak and a paddle. These are provided by your tour company. I will talk about the other gear you will need. A good PFD for paddling is a little shorter at the waist so you will fit into the cockpit of your boat. They also leave plenty of room for all of that muscular paddling you will be doing! A spray skirt covers the cockpit and you wear it. This keeps water outside your boat. A spray skirt can provide a little warmth inside the cockpit on cold days or keep you slightly cooler on warm days. If you are on a guided tour all of these items will be provided as well.                                                                                  
There are different styles of spray skirts to suit specific needs. There are also different styles of PFDs. The new inflatable PFDs are lightweight and require activation but they are more expensive. There is some required safety gear that is necessary when you are sea kayaking. Each boat needs a tow line or throw bag; a safety whistle and a water pump. An extra paddle is always a good idea.
    That is basically what you will need for paddling on a day outing. If you are going on an overnight trip, you will need some compact, lightweight camping gear that packs into your boat easily while keeping dry. Most of your clothes and personal gear will fit into nylon dry bags. Nylon is better than plastic because it slips into tight places more easily. Plastic is sticky and harder to pack in a tight boat. There are special waterproof cases for valuable items like cameras, cell phones and radios. Keeping personal items dry is essential.
       For comfortable sleeping in the tent you will need a synthetic filled sleeping bag. Down filled bags retain moisture. You really will want a dry place to sleep! A Thermarest sleeping pad will ensure your sleeping comfort. The self inflating style is easy to use and lets you choose the firmness you prefer. They make small foldable pillows that use minimal space as well.
          One of the best parts of an overnight trip is eating a delicious meal around the fire. Cutlery and dishes will be necessary. Plastic dishes and cutlery are easy to clean, pack and are lighter than metal. If you are a coffee drinker a big, sturdy mug will ensure you get a hot, LARGE cup of coffee to start your morning!  You may want a foldable camp chair to sit on also! These do take up valuable space however.
           There are some extra items that come in VERY handy on any extended trip;  a headlamp for light at night inside and outside the tent, an orienteering compass, a good knife, a pair of binoculars and a saw in a can. This small saw can help cut longer pieces of wood into small manageable sizes for the fire. It is fun and easy to use. We have only scratched the surface of all of the available gear that you can buy for sea kayaking trips.   This will just get you started!

                                                                                     Happy Paddling   Nici