Test that gear before going out on the water
If you’ve just bought a new kayak or other gear, it’s always a good idea to test it out before hitting the water — and then finding out the hard way that it doesn’t work. And the same thing holds true for gear that’s been in storage for the winter. There’s nothing worse than discovering that you bilge pump doesn’t work at the very time you need it most. Or that the batteries in your VHF radio are bad (another reason to always carry a spare set of batteries). Check the rubber seals on your hatch covers, which can dry rot, especially in dry climates. Check the seal on your spray skirt too.
Photo by FreeWine.
The air canister on your air horn may be empty and need replacing. And don’t forget about your kayak itself. Boats that are stored in garages can suffer all sorts of mishaps through a long winter, and the last thing you need is to find out you’ve got a leaky boat when you’re negotiating a rapids or you’re 100 meters out from shore.
Learn to conserve–and safely use–your drinking water
Out here in the Rocky Mountain West, we know all about water conservation, especially in light of the drought the region has experienced in the past few years. But conserving water isn’t just for whitewater paddlers stuck a thousand miles from the nearest ocean. If you’re a sea kayaker, you’ll find that fresh water can be just as hard to come by, and you’ll need to take steps to protect every drop in your supply.
Out on the ocean, you may be surrounded by water, but that doesn’t mean you can drink any of it. Paddling a touring kayak is physically demanding, and staying healthy and strong requires upwards of 2-3 quarts of fresh water per day. Every successful sea kayaking adventure requires careful water management. Some tips include brushing your teeth with salt water, and collecting rainwater runoff in a tarp; even if it’s not suitable for drinking, you can use
it for bathing water. You can also bathe in salt water. The salty residue comes off with a good toweling, and even your hair will feel clean with a good rubbing out. Another trick is to cook rice instead of pasta when you’re low on water. With rice, the water is absorbed, while pasta water is thrown out after cooking.
And whitewater paddlers need to be careful about water consumption as well. That creek water may look clean, but it could very well be loaded with all kinds of nasty bacteria that could make your next kayaking adventure a weekend nightmare. Buy a good water filtration system and use it, or at the very least, always boil any water you find in a stream or creek before drinking it.
Hi, my name's Kent, and when I'm not paddling around and exploring in the Colorado Rockies, I'm usually in front of the computer writing or visiting with friends and family.
I also really like testing and playing around with outdoor gear, a fun but addictive hobby!
