1)Sea Kayak - Mandatory Gear - Required by Canadian Law:
Approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD), Bright Colours: Red, Yellow or Orange & WEAR YOUR PFD WHILE KAYAKING. Canadian approved PFDs must have an Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) Maple Leaf Label on the inside of the jacket Whistle with lanyard attached to your PFD
Kayak Paddle, I know its obvious but the stories we could tell!
Bilge Pump with Float
Throw Bag with 15 metres (50') of floating line
Flashlight, waterproof, with WORKING batteries
2) Sea Kayak Gear - Day Outings:
Sea Kayaking Gear
Sea or Day Touring kayak
Spare take-apart kayak paddle (store within reach on bow deck)
Kayak leash (attach to paddle & kayak deck)
Paddle float (store within easy reach on bow)
Tow line (ensure functional, keep within easy reach on board)
Spray skirt WEAR IT!
Topo map of your route in waterproof cover (Attach within easy reach under bow bungies)
Sponge large
Knife (attach to PFD)
KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR GEAR, take course(s) if you dont!
Kayak Trip Snacks & Personal Accessories:
Energy food rations (E.g. energy bars, gorp, dehydrated fruit, salted nuts, chocolate)
Drinking water
Water bottle - 24 oz
Sunglasses with floating strap
Sunscreen
Insect repellant
First aid kit
Dry bag
Sea Kayak Clothing:
Sun hat / rain hat
Water shoes or sandals
Wool socks
Polyester T-shirt
Shorts or pants
Cycling gloves
Water proof / windproof jacket & pants
Change of clothing in watertight bag
Sea Kayaking in cold water or cold weather: ADD
Dry or wet suit
Neoprene boots & gloves or poggies
Balaclava or polar fleece cap
Fleece or woolen skirt
Even in summer, the water is colder than the air temperature and conditions can change without warning, always dress for the water temperature
3) Sea Kayaking Big Waters or Coastal Excursions: ADD
Sea kayak (minimum length of 15 feet or 5 metres), NOT Day touring & NOT Recreational models
Additional Sea Kayak Safety Gear:
Compass
Global positioning receiver (GPS) (new &/or spare batteries or charger)
Cell phone (for use in urban areas)
Talk-a-bout communicators (with new &/or charged batteries)
VHF or weather radio (with new &/or spare batteries)
Up to date marine weather forecast
Marine chart (waterproof)
Chart ruler
Tidal table (waterproof)
Distress flares (check expiry dates)
Air horn (new gas cartridge &/or spare)
Strobe light (white)
Radar reflectors
Signal mirror
Binoculars
Multi tool
Duct tape
Mylar survival blanket
4) Sea Kayak Excursions, overnight & longer: ADD
Kayak Camping Gear:
Tent
Ground sheet
Shelter tarp
Sleeping bag
Therm-a-Rest pad
Day backpack
Camp stove & appropriate fuel
Matches (waterproof)
Pots, pans, dish cloth, dish towel & pot scrubber
Plates, cups & utensils
Kitchen kit (salt, pepper, tongs, biodegradable soap, matches, can opener etc.)
Food, appropriate quantities
Garbage bags
Small shovel
Kayak Trip Toiletries & Personal Items:
Wallet with identification & Keys (stored in personal items bag for safety)
Watch &/or alarm clock
Tooth brush & tooth paste, dental floss
Soap, shampoo
Hairbrush
Advil & Tylenol
Lip balm
Toilet, paper
Towel
Kayak Trip Additional Clothing:
Pants
T-Shirts
Fleece or other synthetic shirt
Sweater
Waterproof pants
Walking shoes
Thermal socks
Synthetic underwear
Sea Kayak Food & Personal Accessories:
Food, quick preparation types, including extra rations
Extra drinking water OR water purification system
Personal medication
Extra pair of sunglasses or contact lenses
Kayak repair kit
Sewing kit
Line - 20 metres x 3 mm
Extra flashlight batteries
Candle(s)
Waterproof dry bags for all gear
Kayak Trip Entertainment Items:
Swimming gear,
Facemask & Snorkel
Camera, film
Reading &/or Writing materials
Cards
Fishing rod, tackle & license
5) Sea Kayak Excursion Trip Planning:
Your personal safety and the safety of the group, begins with you!
Choose a destination suitable for the abilities of the group. Make sure the least experienced &/or slowest paddlers can cover the distance you have chosen to paddle. Ensure no one in the group ever paddles alone. Winds or currents can greatly alter your trip so watch for changing conditions. YOU benefit from preplanning on even the shortest excursion so whether your headed out for a few short hours OR a few days, ask yourself the following questions:
Designate leaders, assistant leaders, tasks, who's got what; (e.g. lunch, first aid kit etc. & make sure everyone in the group knows)
What is the weather forecast?
What are the weather conditions and are they likely to change?
What winds or currents do we need to take into account?
What is our potential exposure to the elements?
What vessel traffic should we be aware of?
Is our planned trip reasonable, given the group's abilities and the potential conditions?
Have we brought all the essential equipment & accessories?
Have we brought along enough water & energy rich food?
Do we have method(s) to communicate?
Do we have a first aid kit in case of medical emergency?
Have we included warmer clothing in case weather changes?
MOST IMPORTANTLY, Have you Filed a Kayak Trip Float Plan?
A Kayak trip FLOAT PLAN only takes a few minutes to file' So Do It!
Click here for a printable copy of our Float Plan form.
Provide the number of people in your group, departure & planned destination, estimated arrival time, kayak route with contingency plan. Give a copy to a friend(s), the harbour master, or the general store clerk; leave a labeled envelope on the dashboard to your automobile. WARNING: failure to follow the above safety precautions may lead to serious injury. The use of drugs or alcohol will effect both your coordination & judgment and will impair your ability to kayak. safely.
6) Sea Kayaking & Our Environment:
Sea Kayaks efficient, silent movement, low unobtrusive waterline and shallow draft enables people to get into closer contact with nature than is often normally possible. While generally well intentioned, kayakers may unknowingly have severe negative impact on wildlife and environment. Some parks and wildlife reserves may have specific regulations &/or codes of ethics, find out before you paddle:
Animals get disturbed if you get to close
If repeated disturbances upset animals they leave their habitats & their young
Never chase them, keep your distance please
Avoid abrupt sounds, movements and changes in direction
Avoid fragile ecosystems and nesting areas
Camp above the high water mark… this is in your best interest, as well as the environments
Use a camp stove not a fire
Pack out everything you brought in
Bury latrine pits
LEAVE ONLY FOOTSTEPS, TAKE ONLY MEMORIES. It is everyone's responsibilities to keep areas pristine during and after our visit, ensuring enjoyment for generations!
7) Sea Kayaking Ethical Conduct:
This Sea Kayakers Code of Ethics can serve as a general set of Kayaking Guidelines:
Respect fellow Sea Kayakers and more importantly other vessels regarding boat traffic, its in YOUR best interest, after all YOU are the "little guy"
Offer help to those in difficulty
Respect private property
Move away if you see signs of nervousness or panic in wild animals
Ensure everyone knows the "Kayakers Code of Ethics"
We Hope YOU enjoyed FRONTENAC OUTFITTERS "7-STEP SEA KAYAK SAFETY GUIDE"
Check out the Kayak Safety Products on our new Kayak and Canoe Gear Online Store.
Questions, concerns or recommendations please feel free to contact us @ Phone: 1.613.376.6220
Click here for a Printable Copy of the Paddle Sport Float Plan.
Click here for a Printable Copy of the Sea Kayak Excursion Check List .
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