Your gear carries you out and home, protects you from the elements, and assists you in emergencies. All of it should be in good condition and fit your body, skill level, and setting. Putting a small child in an adult PFD isn't a smart idea, for example. Make sure the gear is right before you start because you wouldn't know when you'd need it.

THE ESSENTIALS (Do not kayak with them)

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE: it's widely held that humans have difficulty breathing underwater. Wear a properly fitting PFD religiously. The overwhelming majority of serious accidents occur when the paddleris not wearing a Coast Guard-approved PFD.

PADDLE: Though the boat may seem the most elemental piece of equipment, it's the paddle
that connects your muscle motor to the water.

DESIGN: Different paddles are made for each discipline of paddlesports. The best one for a
lazy family river trip may not handle a long-distance race.

LENGTH: Kayak paddles are usually measured in centimeters, with touring ones longer than thosefor Whitewater. Canoe paddles usually come with overall length in inches, but some specialists prefer to use shaft length alone as the main indicator in matching a paddle to a person. Yourboat width affects paddle size, too.

BLADE SIZE: The bigger the blade, the more work you'll do with each stroke. Racers use low surface area blades so they can stroke at a high rate of repetition without stress injury. Larger blades are better suited to a slower cadence.

MATERIAL: Plastic and aluminum paddles are everywhere. They are inexpensive, durable, and low-maintenance. Wood is prized for its beauty and warmth but can vary greatly in weight, strength, cost, and symmetry, and it requires attentive upkeep. Fiberglass and carbon fiber make for pricey, stiff, and super-lightweight high- performance paddles.

A BUDDY: Beginning canoeists and kayakers should never paddle alone. There's safety in
numbers, especially when someone needs to go for help in an emergency

Securing items to your craft avoids the "paddler's garage sale" syndrome, which sendsgroup members scrambling to recover your stuff as it spreads downstream after a capsize.Bring drinking water, snacks, and an extra layer. Store these items-along with your sunscreen, bug repellent, and first-aid kit-in a waterproof dry bag. If you wear eyeglasses or sunglasses, you'll need a strap for attaching them to your head. A large car-washing sponge is good for eliminating puddles. For safety, you may want to carry rescue gear(rescue sling, throw rope, tow system) specific to your craft and setting. String a plastic whistle onto your PFD, and pack a spare paddle. Electronic devices-GPS, cellular phones, VHF radios- are becoming more common, especially in offshore and wilderness settings. Wherever you paddle, know local laws and Coast Guard regulations pertaining to signaling devices and nighttime visibility.

DRESSING THE PART

In the tropics like the Philippines, long sleeved rash guards or a long sleeved shirt along lightweight full coverage and frequent application of waterproof sunscreen are your best defense from extended UV exposure. A hat with a wide brim shields you from harmful UV rays. Sturdy footwear is a must, but bulky shoes won't fit inside most kayaks, are cumbersome under canoe seats, and can seriously compromise swimming. Try lightweight, low-profile watersport shoes, river sandals, or neoprene booties.

ADDITIONAL GEAR FOR KAYAKING

SPRAY SKIRT: Wearing a spray skirt keeps water out of your kayak, but be sure you know
how to attach it and practice detaching it quickly. Made of coated nylon or neoprene,
spray skirts have specific sizes for both kayakers and their boats.

BILGE PUMP: A hand pump helps get water out of recreational and touring kayaks. Make sure you carry some device that can get water OUTof the boat, a small "tabo" will do.

PADDLE LEASH: By attaching your paddle to your touring boat, you can keep better track of it if you drop it, or when you stop to take photos-or pass out cookies.

PADDLE FLOAT: An inflatable or foam device that assists in solo re-entry into a touring kayak from deep water is a must.

Contents on this page taken from the American Canoe Association's (ACA) Newcomers guide to to safe kayaking.

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