Kayak camping is one of the best things you can experience if you love taking on new outdoor activities and are good with kayaks. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s a relatively simple idea. During the day, you paddle around a lake or river and use the little breaks in between to have lunch or dinner. In the evening, you can find a nice spot and set up an adequate camping site, lounging in front of a campfire while enjoying a delicious dinner.
However, it’s not as simple as packing all your stuff and loading up when you’re planning a safe kayak camping trip. Contrarily, you need to execute your plan with the following calculated steps and tips in mind:
1- Choosing the Type of Kayak
It’s crucial to realize that kayak camping is not for beginners still learning to keep themselves balanced on the water. Not to mention, choosing the right type of kayak can also make a significant difference, especially when it’s your first time trying water camping. The best vessels, either all-around or touring kayaks, are those that remain stabilized, offer shelter from the water, and are easy to maneuver as you strive for a refined ride.
2- Pre-Planning Your Trip
When it’s your first time going kayak camping, it’s best to choose a relatively straight route with calm waters and good weather. As a reference, know that an average kayaker may cover between ten to twenty kilometers under ideal conditions before they need to stop for the night to set up their camping site.
When deciding upon the route and figuring out how much time it would take you to get to your destination, you need to factor in the number of times you will stop in between to take breaks or fish.
3- Packing Things Appropriately
The space on a kayak is always limited. Therefore, keeping your load to a minimum when packing your gear and other necessities is essential. Furthermore, you’ll need to get a dry bag for the equipment that you’d rather not get wet from any sudden onslaught of water. Plus, all your electronics need to go inside dry boxes with O-ring seals to keep them from water damage.
Furthermore, keeping an extra empty backpack should be a good idea to adequately carry your luggage from the kayak to the campsite site.
4- Loading Your Kayak
It’s also essential to keep your kayak well-balanced during the loading process. For example, all the heavy equipment needs to be stored in the rear and front of the kayak while the lighter objects can be loaded in the center. Lastly, a waterproof GPS, smartphone, and all the necessary emergency gear need to be stored such that it’s within your easy reach at all times.
In addition to all these kayak camping instructions, it’s vital to double-check whether you’ve packed everything that you might need once you leave for your destination. Safety gear, compass, GPS device, maps, extra paddles, camping site equipment, garments, lighters, matches, cookware, drinking water, and snacks are a must-have that you can’t compromise upon!
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