A Beginner's Guide to Preparing for Kayak Trips Ontario

By Sarah Fox


If you have recently been introduced to kayaking, you may be looking at taking a trip in one. Kayak trips Ontario are incredibly fun but you do need to make sure you are properly prepared. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use in order to make sure your upcoming paddling excursion is as safe, fun and enjoyable as possible.

You may want to think about whether it would be more fun to use your kayak to move from one campsite to another or whether you just want to go out on the water during the day and return to the same site every night. Knowing which kind of paddling trip you will be going on is important as it will help you choose the right gear, boat and safety equipment.

A great thing to do at first is to work with a kayak touring company. Pick a part of Ontario that you want to explore and find out which companies are working in the area. Once you have a trip booked, find out what they supply and what you need to bring with you. Start planning early so that you can ask plenty of questions and are not so rushed that you overlook something important.

Some people prefer to plan a camping trip that involves traveling to their site via the water. If this is the case, planning ahead of time is even more important. You should make sure you have the camping supplies you will need as well as the safety equipment and spare gear that you will need if something happens while you are on the water.

There are many different boats available. You can find longer touring models that will hold a lot of gear and make it easier to paddle on flat water. If you will be shooting rapids you will need a different boat that is smaller and easier to steer if you need to turn and dodge to avoid rocks.

If you are moving from one location to another, you need to look for gear that is light and which packs down as compactly as possible. A sleeping bag, air mattress and inflatable pillow will keep you comfortable. There are models which can be reduced in size so they are very small. You will need spare paddles, something to bail your boat with, and other equipment that will keep you safe on the water.

Eating is always important because if you are paddling you are using up a lot of energy. You may want to look at freeze dried options or bringing a cooler that straps to your deck rigging. Another option is a raft that can be towed behind your boat and loaded up with food and cooking supplies.

If you are not sure what to bring in terms of clothing, supplies or equipment there are many places that you can find help. Outdoor equipment stores usually have staff that are familiar with kayak touring and may have good advice. There are also websites where you can find options as well that will meet your needs and your budget.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment