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.

Checklist: The Day Paddle Gear – stowed in a hatch

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OUNCES

PACKING

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5 Liter Dry bag

2.00

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CLOTHES

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fleece cap (covers ears & neck)

2.00

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Windstopper micro fleece vest w/stuff sack

11.00

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Kokatat Storm Cag w/stuff sack

3.00

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Rain/wind pants w/stuff sack

7.00

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NAVIGATION

This is extra if I should lose what’s on deck

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Compass

8.40

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chart (2 @ .2 oz per chart)

0.40

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paper, pencil, reading specs

0.49

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petzl zipka led headlamp w/ 6 AAA batteries (3 are extra)

3.42

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OTHER

All placed together in a extra small dry bag

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knife

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waterproof matches

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fire starter

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duct tape

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Extra whistle

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first aid kit

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6.00

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ESSENTIALS

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Prescription glasses with cord in hard case

2.61

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sun block

3.00

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space bag (emergency overnight bivy)

2.68

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pack towel

1.52

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FOOD

enough for one and a half days

32.00

The grand total is: just a little more than 85.52 ounces or 5.345 pounds

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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.

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