We asked our guides for top tips for making kayak trips more comfortable. They approached this one with a
Work on mobility ahead of the trip
Kayaking puts our bodies in a position that is unlike anything we otherwise do in our daily lives, and the older we get, the stiffer we often become. It’s usually not necessary to “train” for our kayak trips, but a little bit of body work can make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. If you want to slide into kayaking with ease, consider doing a bit of stretching or yoga ahead of your trip. Classes are fun, but there are a ton of free resources online (check out kayaker Anna Levesque’s “Beginner Yoga for Kayakers“). It really doesn’t take a lot to make a noticeable difference! For kayaking comfort, look for stretches that focus on hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. Poses with a focus on balance strengthen our stabilizers, and make walking rocky shorelines a little easier.
Leave your phone at home, or lock it
Mental comfort matters too! In our ever-connected world, taking a break from our phones can be a healthy choice. Consider leaving your phone behind at the lodge; you might be surprised how little you miss it! If you need to bring it along for the camera, consider turning on airplane mode so you’re not barraged with messages every time you hit a bar of service…this will also help to preserve your battery! Want to take it a step further? “Screen Time” or a similar function to lock yourself out of apps that you might be tempted to use on the trip. Your healthy brain will thank us later.
Invest in a good sleep
Sleeping in a tent can be a magical experience. Nodding off to a blanket of stars, and unzipping the door to an ocean sunrise is hard to beat! That said, it can be a dramatic transition from our normal beds. Meet the camping pillow! Readily available from most outdoor stores, these inflatable or small down-filled pieces of kit can do wonders at making tent nights just a little more comfy. If you already travel with a down vest or jacket, simply pack it into a small, soft stuff sack or pillow case to make a lovely feather headrest!
Sometimes a bad sleep can’t be avoided. We had one group that was kept awake for hours by the sounds of humpback whales blowing and breaching just offshore. It was the best kind of noise complaint!
Don’t slide around
Quality footwear can mean the difference between falling over and not falling over, and we can all agree that staying vertical is a good goal!
It’s most important to choose footwear that stays attached to your feet and offers good grip, but there are a few other things to consider (and a lot depends on personal preference). Enclosed water shoes or booties offer great protection, but can also get a little smelly…open sandals allow your feet to dry, but offer less protection from rocks and barnacles. Since a good pair of shoes will last years, consider which will be most useful to you after the trip.
Don’t forget camp shoes! Running shoes are a great choice for sunny trips, but consider waterproof hiking shoes or even light/flexible rubber boots if rain is expected during the trip. Crocs and flip-flops are usually a recipe for a bad time!
Test and/or re-waterproof your raingear
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard soggy paddlers say “It was waterproof the last time I used it….10 years ago!”. Raingear doesn’t last forever, and even the expensive stuff may need to be re-waterproofed or replaced. DWR re-waterproofing treatments are available at most outdoor stores, and a quick run through the washing machine is all it takes to refresh an older jacket. Paddling specific jackets are nice, but not a necessary purchase unless you paddle a lot.
Our summer weather is mostly sunny, but if your trip looks like it will be rainy, we have a few suggestions:
- Rainpants are great to have if there will be more than just a few showers on your trip.
- If the forecast looks very rainy (and you already have one), consider bringing a separate rainjacket for camp. The “guide favourite” combo is a breathable shell for paddling and a rubber Helly Hansen style jacket for camp. Top it off with a rain hat and rubber boots for the ultimate rain barrier!
Pack that comfy cotton shirt
Most of the time it’s sunny, and heat management can be our biggest concern! On very hot, very sunny trips, we like to pack one cotton t-shirt amidst all of our wool and techy fibres. It’s a naturally cooling material, and it feels amazing to pull on after a long hot day on the water.
Consider a camping chair
As minimalists, we’re happy to make a seat from the plethora of logs and driftwood that litter the beaches, but many paddlers find a camping chair or stool to be a worthy luxury. Just make sure it’s a foldable, hiking specific chair; the big ones don’t fit in the kayak hatches.
Bring a pair of gloves
Some people like wearing gloves when they paddle, but it isn’t usually necessary, especially with good paddling technique. Where gloves really shine is as personal protective equipment. Even nice beaches can be covered with barnacles or mussels at low tide, and we’ve seen our fair share of cut hands from slips and falls on the beach. Wearing gloves while loading, unloading, and carrying kayaks is a good way to avoid injury and keep things fun! They don’t have to be fancy; a well-fitting pair of rubber-palmed garden gloves usually does the trick.