Equipment and preparation

This is for the leisure kayaking that we do, not for fishing or ocean-going!

• Sunglasses
• Hats and other sun protection for neck, arms and legs. Beware that in a sit-on kayak your lower legs and feet are going to get sun-exposure they don't usually get!
• Clothing that covers more of your skin and is light and quick to dry. Cotton isn't good. Hiking or fishing gear is usually good.
• Change of clothing. Something dry to get into when you're driving home.
• Footwear suitable to the conditions. As you'll see in the photos on this blog, for me this means thongs. Not a great idea I admit and I'm looking at some more substantial options that provide more protection against rocks and oysters and the like.
• Life jackets - depending on your swimming ability, the nature of the waters and your legal obligations.
  Perhaps it's advisable to always wear these but like bicycle helmets there may be a case for not wearing them under certain conditions (do I hear can of worms being opened??). In my state (NSW Australia - "The Nanny State - We're watching you!") these are a legal requirement for kayaking and canoeing under certain conditions, noting the definition of "open waters" being (my emphasis) "Navigable waters which are not enclosed waters. Sometimes referred to as ‘ocean’ waters." and "enclosed waters" being "Any port or inland navigable waters in New South Wales." (see http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/maritime/licence/boating-handbook.pdf pages 108-9). From what I gather from this it's OK for me not to wear a life jacket in the type of waters I kayak and I'm a pretty good swimmer so there.
• Sunscreen (including nano particles)
• Water & food. A meal or morning/afternoon snack is fun and gives you energy for more paddling. This also makes for a good reason to get out and stretch.
• Check the weather forecast, including tides and winds where relevant. Paddling against the wind or the tide is hard work.
• Phone and camera plus waterproof bag for these and your keys.
• Swimmers and towels if needed.
• First aid?
• Map?
• Rope - to secure your kayak while you have lunch.
• Sponge - the car-washing type, for bailing water out easily (you're welcome!)
• That other thing that's niggling you that you're sure you've forgotten.