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Planning and Preparing the Trip

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Sea kayaking is the ideal sport for getting off the beaten track. However, your choice of destination could take you to a remote location exposed to high winds, rapidly changing weather conditions or water that stays icy cold all year round. In such areas, the consequences of an oversight or accident can be compounded tenfold. So whether you are just going out for a short paddle or off on an expedition that will last many days, careful planning and preparation is essential. It could make all the difference in ensuring an enjoyable and memorable trip.

Three-step Planning

1. Assessing your needs and deciding on a destination

  • What are your requirements?
    • Experience and number of kayakers’ skill level of least experienced member of group
    • Type of route agreeable to everyone in the group (lake, river, large body of water, coastal waters, environment, length, duration) and taking the least experienced into account. An average of 10 nautical miles per day is reasonable for a group
  • Rental of required equipment
  • Transportation required
  • Choosing a destination
  • Time of year
  • Remoteness
  • Specific tourist region
  • Service centre (parks, reserves, rentals, transportation)

2. Finding information and resources

  • What documents and information do you need?
    • Charts, topographical maps, indexed maps
    • Tide table and sailing directions
    • Service centre business hours
    • Required authorizations, reservations, and/or contracts
    • Camping and accommodations
    • Equipment and gear needed
    • Personal gear (individual and group)
    • Rental equipment and gear
  • How much food and water do you need?
    • Drawing up a menu (food allergies, vegetarians)
    • Assessing nutritional value per weight and volume
    • Carrying and keeping food
  • Do you need to be accompanied?
    • Finding a qualified guide or outfitter

3. Putting it all together

  • Leave your trip plan with someone at home and a copy in a vahicle left behind.
  • Plan a route and possible alternatives
  • Draw up a contingency plan
  • Select a group leader
  • Draw up a list of equipment required
  • Draw up a list of equipment available
  • Assign tasks

Preparation Requires Clearly Identified Tasks

  • Food: purchase, divide up, wrap, label and protect. Don't forget drinking water.
  • Group gear and equipment: equipment available, equip ment required (purchase or rental) and check condition of equipment
  • Personal gear: as per checklist
  • Kayaks and accessories: equipment available, load capacity, rental equipment, check condition of equipment
  • Navigation and safety equipment: maps, spherical or conventional compass, tide and current table, chart ruler, radio, flares, foghorn, first aid kid, repair kit, GPS
  • Transportation, authorizations, contracts: transporting a kayak measuring 6 metres (19' 8") or longer requires certain equipment and preparation. Entry fees and/or reservations are required in parks and wildlife reserves. If you are dealing with a third party (guide or outfitter), check the guide's qualifications, the services offered, and the insurance coverage provided
  • Information specific to the chosen location: local weather, direction and strength of prevailing winds, currents and tides, coastal geography, shipping traffic, distance between possible put-ins, availability of drinking water, campsites, and applicable regulations

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Date modified:
2010-01-19