Kayak Gear: Checklist

June-July 1999

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web

by Mercia Sixta

Mercia Sixta is one of the premier paddlers in BC, and chief organizer of the annual Coast Kayak Symposium on Thetis Island. She has kindly allowed us to print the following gear list. Your gear needs will vary depending on the type of trip you plan. But as you can see, it's important to allow for the variability of the weather

SUN: sunscreen, hat, tight weave clothing (the less light you can see through it, the better) long sleeve shirt, sun glasses/retainer, bathing suit, shorts, lip balm

RAIN/WAVES: hat, pants, jacket, boots, anorak, wet suit

COLD: toque, longjohns, wool/fleece socks, pants, sweater, gloves/pogies

FISHING: rod/net, license, kit, knife, crab trap

FIREILIGHT: matches, tubing, fuel/bottle, stove/pump, lamp/candles, flashlight/ batteries, axe/saw

COOKING: can/bottle opener, flipper, cup/plate/bowl, knife/fork/spoon/chopsticks, pot/lid, fry pan, grill, foil, bucket/biodegradable soap/drying towel, scrubber

FOOD: grain/rice, dried fruit, vegetables, meat, pancake mix, syrup, butter, spices (garlic/sage), sugar/cream, tea/coffee/hot chocolate, soup/noodles, dessert powder, salt/pepper, flour/baking powder, oil/margarine, snacks/trailmix, peanut butter/jam, sausage/cheese, bagels

SURVIVAL/SAFETY: matches/waterproof lighter, tubing, mirror, compass/map, tea/sugar, knife, towline, whistle, flares

FIRST AID: sling, Band-Aids, steri-strips, Pepto-Bismol, antiseptic, antibiotics For more on 1st Aid Kits see the following page

FOOTWEAR: running shoes, booties, boots/insoles, thongs

SLEEP: sleeping bag, thermarest, nightshirt, shorts

TOILETRIES: biodegradable shampoo/shower, toilet paper/trowel, toothbrush/ toothpaste, razor/biodegradable soap, mirror/brush, biodegradable hand soap

SHELTER: tent/tarp/rope, rope/pins

BASIC KAYAK: paddle, cover, sprayskirt, paddlefloat, whistle/flares, water bottle, pump/bailer, life jacket, floatation

NAVIGATION/WEATHER: compass, charts/maps, binoculars, VHF radio

PERSONAL: books, camera, alarm clock, pack, repellent, money, needle/thread, nature guides

DRINK: flavour, water bottle, collapsible container, liquor, thermos

REPAIR KIT: for a suggested repair kit, see the Emergency Repair Kit

Canadian Coast Guard Minimum Regulations

For canoes, kayaks, rowboats and rowing shells not over 6m in length:

• One Canadian-approved personal flotation device or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person on board

• One buoyant heaving line of not less than 15m in length.

• One manual propelling device (eg. spare paddle) or an anchor with not less than 15m of cable, rope or chain in any combination.

• One bailer or manual water pump fitted with or accompanied by sufficient hose to enable a person to pump over the vessel's side.

• One sound signaling device or appliance (eg. whistle or air horn)

• Navigation lights that meet applicable standards if the craft is to be operated after sunset, before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility (eg. flashlight).

Pleasure craft over 6m in length (ie. most double kayaks) also require:

• 6 Canadian approved flares of Type A, B or C. There are some exemptions here but they do not cover most ocean kayaking situations.

Visit the Coast Guard website for more information: www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca