Kayak tenting may be an effective way to get out on the water and discover areas you possibly can’t attain on land!
Nevertheless, kayak tenting is certainly a special kind of tenting – and one which not everybody is aware of tips on how to do.
In case you’re curious about kayak tenting, this text is for you!
We’ll go over a complete gear checklist and provide a couple of ideas and tips that will help you get began.
Downloadable & Printable Guidelines
Kayak Gear Guidelines:
Important Kayak Tenting Gear
Tenting Security Gear
Clothes
- Waterproof duffel or dry luggage
- Swimwear
- Raincoat
- Underwear
- Rash guard
- Water sneakers or sandals
- Dry go well with or moist go well with
- Kayak gloves
- Artificial or wool socks
- Climate-appropriate clothes
Cooking Gear
- Meals
- Range & gas
- Mug, bowl, & utensils
- Water bottle
- Trash luggage
- Water filter
- Can opener
- Collapsible sink
- Dish equipment
- Waterproof lighter/matches/hearth starter
- Bear-proof meals storage
Private Kayak Tenting Gear
- Sunscreen & lip balm
- Bug spray
- Toiletries/Hygiene equipment
- Mobile phone & energy financial institution
- Sun shades & hat
- Float journey plan
- Fishing gear
- Digicam & binoculars
- Private ID
- A small amount of money
Downloadable & Printable Guidelines
How To Select A Kayak Tenting Location
There are a couple of methods to select one of the best kayak tenting location whilst you’re out on the water.
First, some waterways can have designated tenting spots on the aspect of the water.
If that is so in your journey, you possibly can and will use these spots for organising camp.
Different waterways is not going to have designated tenting spots.
In these conditions, search for a flat, sheltered spot no less than 200 ft away from the water line.
Some our bodies of water will expertise rising tides, so it’s essential to maintain your camp and equipment away from the water’s edge.
How To Select A Kayak
The principle issues to bear in mind with regards to selecting a kayak in your outside journey are storage, mobility, and supplies.
First, you’ll need to ensure that the kayak you’re utilizing has storage compartments massive sufficient for your whole gear.
Even with all of the gear loaded, you continue to need a kayak that may transfer throughout the water with a superb stage of mobility.
Searching for a mobility-enhancing design will assist improve your capacity to navigate the waters.
Try our article on the various kinds of kayaks to see which shall be greatest for you!
How To Pack Your Kayak
There are two classes of substances with regards to kayaking: gear that may get moist, and equipment that should keep dry.
Gear that may get moist, like sealed meals containers and tent poles, may be packed first on the backside of your boat.
No packing compartment is completely waterproof. However they’re designed so that you don’t fear about these things getting broken from stray water.
Moreover, you possibly can at all times pack perishables on the backside of the boat wrapped in a meals protected bag.
Packing compartments are doubtless submerged in water all through your journey.
So, they are going to be cooler in temperature and extra more likely to preserve your meals recent.
When you’ve packed the gear that may get moist and the perishables, you’ll need to pack all of your gear that should keep dry.
Clothes and sleeping luggage ought to go within the prime part of the packing compartments.
When packing this gear, I like to recommend utilizing dry luggage (or, in a pinch, layered trash luggage) to maintain your gear further dry.
Lastly, even weight distribution is key to packing your kayak – and it might probably take some observe.
I like to recommend packing all the pieces in your boat on a flat, strong floor earlier than you even hit the water.
This fashion you can also make positive all of your gear is distributed evenly, and re-pack if wanted earlier than you’re out on water, which is able to make re-packing harder
A Few Easy Issues That Will Make Your Kayaking Journey Simpler
Dry Luggage
Dry luggage are massive luggage which might be lined in water-proof coatings and closed by way of water tight strategies.
They’re an effective way to maintain your gear dry, even when it goes overboard.
Once I’m out on the water, I usually carry a couple of bigger dry luggage for packing my gear and a smaller dry bag for private electronics I can preserve at an arm’s attain.
Sun shades Strap
Solar glare off of water may be a problem on any kayaking journey, making sun shades – and sun shades straps– important items of substances.
These hook up with both aspect of your sun shades and loop round your neck, making it a lot tougher for them to slide off and disappear into the water.
Kayak Restore Equipment
Kayaks – identical to every other piece of substances – can get broken whilst you’re out adventuring.
Bringing a kayak restore equipment, which incorporates restore patches and glue, will guarantee that you would be able to keep afloat and proceed in your journey.
Water Sneakers
Good water sneakers are important while you’re out on the water as a result of they defend your ft from sharp stones and different potential harms.
While you’re on the lookout for a pair of water sneakers, search for a design that may keep safe in your foot and defend your toes.
Keens are a fantastic instance of this, since they’ve a closed toe design that stays firmly in your ft.
Comfortable Kayak Seat
After sitting in the identical seat all day, kayaking seats can completely get uncomfortable.
There are a number of manufacturers that make kayak seat cushions that may strap onto the boat seat and add some consolation to your kayaking expertise.
Ideas For Your First Kayak Tenting Journey
Kayak tenting is completely different from each different kind of tenting on the market, so listed here are a couple of ideas and tips that will help you get began.
Begin Brief
In case you’ve by no means been kayak tenting earlier than, you is likely to be stunned by how a lot kayaking (particularly with added gear) can take out of you.
For this reason it’s essential to start out with shorter journeys, and construct your self as much as longer, multi-day journeys.
Leaping straight to an extended journey can go away you injured, too drained to go on hikes on the finish of the day, or too low on meals and equipment.
So bear in mind, when unsure, begin brief!
Share Your Itinerary
Rivers and lakes may be unpredictable, so it’s at all times essential to share your itinerary with somebody on shore.
When sharing your itinerary, remember to share while you’re planning on being at every camp, in addition to while you plan on ending your journey.
Your “land accomplice” can preserve observe of your progress – and spot should you aren’t the place you’re presupposed to be.
Keep away from Overpacking/Underpacking
Since you’re packing all of your gear in your boat with you, it’s particularly essential that you simply carry the correct quantity of substances (and weight).
Most kayakers are inclined to lean in the direction of minimal packing. They solely carry ultralight tarps for sleeping shelters and the clothes they should have.
Nevertheless, it’s essential that you simply carry sufficient gear with out overpacking – particularly should you’re a first-timer.
All the time bear in mind the necessities (which we’ve listed above) and go from there.
I like to recommend laying out all the pieces you’re planning to carry with you earlier than you pack it. In case you see any duplicate objects, be at liberty to set them to the aspect.
Additionally remember to talk about gear along with your journey accomplice(s) to make sure you’re bringing solely what you want.
Know Native Guidelines & Laws
Waterways are usually protected by park or governmental rules.
Due to this, it’s essential to test (and double test) any guidelines or rules related to the world earlier than you head out.
For instance, some areas will restrict the place you possibly can camp at evening whereas others will comply with Go away No Hint ideas.
Violating these guidelines can lead to tickets and fines, so it’s essential to know what guidelines you could comply with earlier than you get there.
Moreover, there are additionally guidelines and rules which might be set in place to maintain kayakers protected from harmful areas.
It’s essential to test these out so as to defend your self from unpredictable rapids or sudden waterfalls.
Be Conscious Of The Climate
Climate could make or break your kayaking journey.
I like to recommend checking the climate whilst you’re planning your journey, after which persevering with to test the climate main as much as your journey day.
In case you’re seeing storms, excessive winds, or different unhealthy climate situations on the radar, it might be an indication to reschedule your journey.
FAQs
Is Kayak Tenting Secure For Rookies?
Sure! Kayak tenting may be protected for inexperienced persons.
Nevertheless, should you’re new to kayak tenting, I like to recommend that you simply exit on the water with an skilled kayak camper.
This may help you keep away from straightforward errors, and keep protected on the water.
Can You Match Tenting Gear In A Kayak?
To an extent, sure! When you might not be capable of match a 6-person tent into your boat, there shall be room for a smaller 2-person tent or ultralight tarp.
Packing correctly and effectively is the secret with kayak tenting, however you’ll completely be capable of carry your tenting necessities with you.
How Do You Pack For Kayak Tenting?
As you fill your packing compartments in your boat, begin with the gear that may get moist and the perishable meals objects in food-safe luggage.
Then, as your compartments refill, you’ll be capable of pack your non-waterproof objects (in waterproof luggage) on prime of your different gear.
Just be sure you observe packing your kayak earlier than you get within the water so you possibly can make sure that your boat is effectively balanced!
How Do You Put together For A Kayak Tenting Journey?
Kayaking takes plenty of higher physique power.
If you wish to put together your physique for a kayaking journey, I’d advocate working in your higher physique and core power, in addition to constructing calluses in your arms the place they hit the paddle
That being mentioned, it’s doable to finish a brief kayaking journey with out an excessive amount of preparation.
Simply just be sure you’re taking it gradual and warming up your physique earlier than heading out on the water.
Last Ideas On Kayak Tenting
Kayaking tenting may be an effective way to get out on the water and discover new areas.
I hope that this text helps you are feeling much more ready in your subsequent kayak tenting journey!
Extra Tenting Checklists:
