words Al Woods
Trips designed to get you out into nature, breathe fresh air, and feel the freedom that comes with trekking through epic landscapes are pretty spectacular things. Sometimes, these trips miraculously fall into your lap because your one friend felt like planning a weekend.
Usually, however, these sorts of trips—particularly the ones involving watersports or other extreme travel options—need a little care and preparation to come to fruition. The following will explore some of the basic gear you’ll need to pack when going on a trip that involves water travel.
Watersports Gear And What You Need To Transport It
Whatever watersports you’re participating in (kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, rafting, etc.) will have specific items you need to bring, like a kayak and a paddle, for instance. Those things are pretty easy to remember and pack, but you also need to think about what you need to transport these items. This might mean you’re looking for the best options for a kayak roof rack; if you’re bringing multiples of these items because you’re trekking with a group, be sure to keep in mind how you’re going to store and transport everything. If you’re coordinating rides for the group, be sure to account for the space for everyone’s gear in your planning.
Safety Equipment
In most places, watersports have some legal requirements for safety. You might be required to wear a life jacket or have a whistle on board. Look up the rules and be sure that everyone has the appropriate safety equipment. Even if they’re not required, life jackets are probably ideal to have with you, as is a fully stocked first-aid kit. Hopefully, you won’t need any safety equipment, but if you do need it, you’ll want to have it.
Light Layered Clothing
When you’re going on a trip that involves lots of time spent outdoors, you need to realize that your clothing requirements might change drastically from early morning until evening. To mitigate discomfort, most people find that light layers are the best option. With many lighter layers, you’ll be able to add or take away items until you find the perfect equilibrium of temperature. You might also want to focus on materials that are fast-drying so that you don’t quickly run out of things to wear when it gets damp.
Waterproof Baggage
While it’s probably okay for a lot of your stuff to get wet, almost certainly, you have a few things you’re bringing with you like your phone, wallet, medications, maps, or travel books that you want to keep dry. There is a myriad of waterproof baggage options out there, depending on how big the items are.
Waterbottle And Water
Just because you’re out on the water doesn’t mean you can’t get dehydrated. In fact, if the activity is physically demanding, you might find yourself getting dehydrated pretty fast. Bring a water bottle and enough water; alternatively, you can find one of those fancy water bottles that filter wild water for you, so you don’t have to worry about carrying your water source with you. If you decide to purify the water that you find, make sure you know the appropriate steps to take to hydrate safely. Nothing is going to ruin your trip faster than repeatedly having to stop to use the bathroom.
Sun Protection
Water is reflective, and this means that even if it’s not particularly sunny, the sunlight that is present is going to be maximized. Take appropriate measures to protect yourself from burn and heat stroke. At the same time, be cautious of liquid or cream sun blocks if you’re going to be getting in the water, as these can be devastating to the environment. They also might be pushed by sweat or water into your eyes, stinging and causing visibility problems. When possible, sunglasses, hats, and clothing are a much better option.
High-Energy Meals And Snacks
You’ll need sustenance if you’re going to keep going the whole day. Unfortunately, a lot of foods advertised as sports snacks, protein snacks, or energy snacks are packed full of sugar, meaning they’ll give you a short boost but then a long crash. Read the ingredients of any prepackaged foods you buy to be sure that you’re giving your body enough help to keep up with the vigours of the day.
The above information should help you pack all that you need for a watersports-focused trip. Of course, if you have personal interests like photography, bring what you need for those activities as well as anything for personal hygiene or medical purposes you feel you need. Remember to minimize your impact on the environment as you travel and take your trash with you when you leave.
