What to Bring on a Kayak Trip

• Your Kayak – It seems silly to mention, but you need to bring your kayak, also, you need to have your seat and spreaders for your kayak. Check and make sure they are all together. Oh, and don’t forget your paddle either! If you are concerned about keeping all YOUR gear together, then put your name on it!
• SUNSCREEN – You have been told!
• Whistle – Coast Guard Regulations require you to have a whistle. You must have a whistle with you on your boat or you can get a ticket if law enforcement catches you on the water. There are lots of whistles out there. I have ones like this: And no, being able to whistle, no matter how loudly is not good enough, have a whistle with you, no exceptions
• Lifejacket – No exceptions, everyone needs one and needs to wear it. The neoprene ones are comfortable, but not required. Type 3 life jackets are the most comfortable. Make sure they fit! You can test the proper fit of a type 3 life jacket by cinching it up and then having someone lift the life jacket at the shoulders. The jacket should not rise up easily. If, when lifting, the jacket slides off your shoulders, then it is going to do that when you fall in the water and you will sink. Here is a nice video on proper fitting life jackets:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHH4zWMf4oY Type 2 jackets like this one are acceptable: but not very comfortable when paddling Type 3 life jackets are acceptable and are more comfortable for long periods on the water.
• Throwable Cushion – This is an optional item, but something worth bringing along if you can. It is both a safety device and a comfort device for long periods in your kayak.    U.S.Coast Guard Approved Type IV Throwable Boat Cushion
• Dry Bag – Having a drybag or some other type of water proof bag or container is essential for keeping dry things dry. Dry bags can be expensive, but WalMart has a good price on them. West Marine has them as well. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Products-Pack-Ultimate-Dry-Sack/10928125
• Footwear – Put something on your feet that you are not afraid to get wet, they will get wet! There are sharp rocks and glass in the river, keep your shoes on when not floating. Oh, just keep them on all the time
• Clothing – A rash guard shirt is good, I recommend long sleeves, but short sleeves will work. Shorts are needed. And bring extra clothing with you in your boat, that is a good idea.
• Sunscreen – Did I happen to mention you need to bring sunscreen?
• Sun glasses – these are highly recommended, if you can, get some straps or something that float so if you fall in the water, you do not lose them.
• Wide brim hat – helps keep the sun off of your neck and ears. Make sure you have one.
• Water bottle – Everyone going on the trip in 2024 MUST HAVE a LifeStraw water bottle. Start looking now as you can find them on sale at times for as much as 50% off the price. This is a MUST HAVE item. Even if you have one and you have not used it for a while, you need to make sure you test it and try it out as they do not always work. Seriously gang, there really is no alternative to getting this type of water bottle. It works great and allows us to keep moving down the river. We need to drink water and the LifeStraw water bottle works perfectly for what we are doing. Apparently, there is still some question on this as others did not bring what they needed to bring, so I have placed a link here to exactly the type of water bottle we expect you to have. Lifestraw Water Bottle
• Personal First Aid Kit – You really do need to have one, put it in your dry bag!
• Sponge, Bilge Pump – I prefer the one shown below as it can serve two purposes. 1. It can be used to dip out your kayak when it gets water in it. Which it will. And 2. It serves as a defensive weapon for when the water battles begin, and they will!
• Towel – Bring a large beach towel or other material that is large enough to cover your cockpit when sitting in your kayak. It helps keep your body cool and helps keep the sun off your legs. This is optional, but is very nice to have on the trip
• Sunscreen – Are you seeing a pattern yet?
• Snacks and Lunches – Last time we went we had people bring their own lunches. This year we are back to providing lunches to everyone going. We are a smaller group so this should be easy to accomplish, it makes more sense if we put it all together when we are smaller and we can carry everything in the boat. You will need to make sure you bring snacks though.
• LIFESTRAW Water Bottle – and I am not even kidding!
• Rope – Having some short lengths of rope in your boat is a good thing as well. You might even want to consider tying your dry bag, and anything else that might sink to your boat. Helps keep from losing things in case you capsize your boat!
• Sunscreen – and make sure you bring a lot!
• Gloves – these are optional, but they are nice to have when paddling

Chilling Towel

– I love this thing, it is the greatest to have on the river with you. Dip it in the water, put it around your neck, bliss!

Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad

For the trip itself