What Kayak Gear To Bring For A Day or Overnight Paddle

The following is a list of gear that should be taken on all day paddles in order to minimize the risk of any accidents occurring:

 
Equipment essentials:

• PFD - personal floatation device
  
• Sponge
  
• Spray skirt
  
• Bilge pump
  
• Spare paddle
  
• Tow line
  
• First aid kit with personal medicine and space blanket
  
• Whistle
  
• Charts
  
• Marine VHF radio
  
• Cell Phone
  
• Compass
  
• Watch
  
• Hat
  
• Tide Charts (or at least know the tide schedule)
  
• Weather radio
  
• Day/night distress signal (flares, mirror, whistle, blinking lights, etc.)
  
• Spare set of dry clothes
  
• Safety knife
  
• Paddle float
  
• Glass holder to keep glasses from falling off
  
• Repair kit (including pliers, nuts, bolts, tape, etc.)
  
• Paddle leash
  
• Food, high energy bars and snack
  
• Water
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Lip sunscreen, balm
  
• Dry Bags
  
• Paddling Jacket
  
• Spare eyeglasses
  
• Flashlight
  
• Towel
  
• Pogies or neoprene gloves (depending on the weather)
  
• Wetsuit, drysuit (depending on the weather)
  
• Neoprene hood (depending on the weather)
  
• Fleece top & pants (depending on the weather)
  
• Fleece cap (depending on the weather)
  
• Neoprene boots
  
• All overnight camping equipment (see hiking & backpacking section)