Day Paddle Gear Checklist

I have spent more than twenty years enjoying the outdoors. I spent my youth in Pennsylvania hiking, backpacking, trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing, and caving. The one thing that I have learned from all of those activities is the need to carry a small daypack. Now I live in Florida, kayaking has become my primary outdoor sport, and I am still using a daypack on my afternoon paddles. I have not seen a lot about a small kit containing gear for a day paddle. Therefore, I am sharing what I always take out on the water inside of a small dry bag, in addition to the basis paddling gear.

The basic paddling gear is: common sense, a float plan left with a friend, kayak, life jacket (PFD), whistle, spray skirt, two paddles (one is a back up), wide brim hat, long sleeve shirt, sun block, chap stick, and a minimum of 32 ounces of water.