You’ve finally decided to join your buddies on that kayaking adventure that you’ve been avoiding since before you can remember—Congratulations! It can be intimidating at first to join in on a new sport, especially one as oftentimes fast-paced as kayaking if you are not sure about what equipment and gear is essential when getting the necessary items needed for your water journey. So, whether you’re going down a slow river, doing a bit of fishing from a kayak or venturing through the harsh currents of Great Falls, Virginia, make sure to obtain these 10 essential items before beginning your expedition.

Top Must-Have Kayak Gear Items

Before doing your shopping, check out our suggestions for the top ten things that you’ll want to look for when outfitting for your first kayaking expedition.

1. Picking the Right Kayak

There are a variety of kayaks to choose from, which can seem overwhelming at first. It’s important to know your kayak before taking it out onto the water, so knowing where you’re going, for how long, and your skill is important. If you are taking a trip through calm waters for the day and you are a beginner to intermediate kayaker, it’s best to go with a recreational kayak, as opposed to a touring kayak which is meant for longer days and rougher waters. Learn more with our tips on buying your first kayak, and reviews of our favorite models of kayaks for fishing.

2. Picking the Right Paddle

Choosing a paddle might sound easy enough, but there is a lot that goes into choosing the right paddle for you and it can impact the comfort of your trip as well as your safety, so it is important to decide carefully which paddle fits your adventure best. Knowing things such as the height and length of your kayak, your skill and experience, and the waters of where you are kayaking are key in deciding what paddle is right for you.

3. Life Jackets

Safety is essential when kayaking, and even though you are probably an experienced swimmer, it is still important to wear a life jacket or carry a PFD (personal floatation device). Depending on the currents of the water, and what you are trying to accomplish during your kayaking trip—fishing, touring, what have you—it is important to stay safe and prepare for the worst.

4. Helmets

This is vital for whitewater kayaking, and though they can be used for any type of kayaking, it is essential mostly in more dangerous forms of the sport. Hitting rocks is common in whitewater kayaking, and a helmet could be the difference between life and death. Add this to a must have if you are kayaking along any water that is rocky and fast-moving. If you are fishing in a slower-paced river, you probably can leave it at home, but it doesn’t hurt to have one in case.

5. Picking the Right Clothing

Make sure to dress for your trip in a way that is right for your specific situation. It may be hot and sunny above the water, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be freezing if you get inside the water. Layering is key when kayaking, and it is important to dress for the water not just the weather because you will certainly get wet.

6. Spray Skirts

Spray skirts keep the water out of your kayak and is a must-have for any trip. Most spray skirts are designed to fit your kayak specifically, so it is important to get one that matches your boat as well as your trip. There are certain spray skirts for flat-water kayaking, made for occasional splashes here and there, and there are spray skirts for whitewater kayaking, which endure harsher currents and heavier splashes.

7. Hydration and Nutrition

It is important to bring food and water on your trip to avoid dehydration and nutrition loss. Extra water bottles, or investing in a filtration water bottle can really come in handy as well as snacks and freeze-dried nutritional supplements.

8. Kayak Cart

Unless you plan on carrying your kayak around, it is important to invest in a cart. This will help you tow your kayak to your destination, and they often come with straps to tie your kayak to your car.

9. Safety Gear

Aside from a life jacket or a PFD, it is important to carry a basic first aid kit as well as items such as a knife, sun screen, a water-proof flashlight, matches, extra clothing, emergency shelter, and a repair kit for your kayak. These small items can save you in a pinch.

10. Navigation Supplies

Phones nowadays have navigation guides on them, and getting a water-proof phone case can make it better than any map. However, it is important to have something as a backup in case an unforeseen situation occurs—like your phone dies or is eaten by a fish. You’re going to want to know how to get back home, and you’ll be happy that you brought a map or compass then.

Anyone interested in buying a kayak will find out that there’s a multitude of kayak types available on the market. Be sure to perform a good amount of research before committing to your first kayak. It is also a good idea to rent the style of kayak that you are most interested in before actually buying it in order to get a sense of how it performs on the water.

Seat Placement And Balance

There are hundreds of kayak brands. What matters most is the type of kayak that you purchase. The type refers to the kayak’s hull or body shape and characteristics. Search for kayaks that have the seat as close to the center of the kayak track as possible. Seats placed more towards the rear of the kayak tend to be more challenging to balance on the water. Any beginning kayaker will be concerned with maintaining balance so he should immediately discount all kayaks that do not have seats in the center.

The Importance Of A Large Cockpit

Kayakers who are taller than average will want a kayak with a spacious and large cockpit. This will make it easier to get in and out of the boat, which is often a challenge for larger people. If you buy a kayak with too small of a cockpit, you’ll likely sour on the idea of kayaking because you’ll dread the entry and exit process and you won’t be able to store all the materials that you want to bring with you on your kayak outings.

Recreational Kayaks

Beginners should opt for a recreational kayak that empowers them to paddle through the water at a casual pace. Recreational kayaks can be used in rivers, ponds, salt marshes and ocean bays. They can fit between one and three occupants. Recreational kayaks are ideal for taking pictures of the natural environment and for those who want to fish. They are the widest kayaks available, which makes them the easiest to control. They also have the largest possible cockpit openings so that you can get in and out without a hassle. Most recreational kayaks are 12 feet long or less so that they can be lifted with ease. This style of kayak is quite affordable so it is perfect for beginning kayakers. Most recreational kayaks will cost between $300 and $900.

Plastic Kayaks Vs. Fiberglass Kayaks

In terms of the kayak’s construction, the two top choices are fiberglass and plastic. Plastic is more durable but it also scratches much easier. Fiberglass has a greater chance of fracturing or puncturing and repairing either of these problems will be a royal pain for a beginning kayaker. Keep in mind that kayaks do run into rocks and other objects while on the water, so plastic is the better of the two material choices.

Kayak Widths And Lengths

The kayak width will decide the amount of paddling that you need to perform to get the boat moving and also determine its stability in the water. Kayaks on the longer side with less width will be able to move through the water with minimal paddling effort but they’ll be more difficult to turn. Shorter and wider kayaks will be much more stable in the water and take on waves without problems but they’ll also require more paddling effort.

Kayak Colors

Don’t underestimate the importance of your kayak’s color. While it might seem trivial, it is actually quite important. If you overturn or if you become stranded, you’ll want a kayak that is bright in color so that it can be noticed from far distances. This will help others see you and come to your rescue.

 image credit: By Entheta (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons