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Packing List

Multi-Day Tour Packing List

For a comfortable and enjoyable kayaking tour, being prepared with the right clothing and equipment can make all the difference in having a good time in the outdoors. West Coast weather from the months of May through September are generally sunny and pleasant but clouds, wind, rain and fog can occur at any time. Paddle West Kayaking will supply all sea-kayaking including safety gear and kitchen equipment for the tour and we will make every effort to direct you to equipment that you may lack prior to the tour.

If you have any questions regarding whether or not to bring something along, don’t hesitate to contact us and ask.

The kayaks can hold an amazing amount of equipment but there is a limit, and a lot of group gear that must be stowed in each kayak (ie. food, tents, dishes, cooking stoves and pots…everything we need for the tour) as well as your own personal equipment, so be practical.

Download the Packing List PDF.

What We Provide

  • Sea kayaks, both doubles and singles, equiped with rudders. Brands we carry are Current Designs, Seaward and Delta.
  • Paddles
  • Sprayskirts, we carry Seals and Snapdragon skirts
  • PFDs, we carry Stolquist
  • Pumps
  • A limited number of dry bags per person
  • Laminated marine charts to follow along with
  • Big tarps for the kitchen and group gathering area
  • Propane stoves, and all kitchen gear
  • Fresh water from town
  • Toilet paper
  • A hand wash station
  • All the safety equipment, including a marine VHF radio and First Aid kit, which is carried by the guide
  • Resources for beach fires
  • A library of field guides to identify what is seen and to satisfy your curiosity

What to Bring

Our goal is to ensure that you have a comfortable and memorable experience. Below discusses the personal gear you will be responsible for bringing on the tour with you. Please do not wear any jewelry and please do not bring anything valuable with you that you do not want sacrificed to the sea or tarnished by salt water.

Clothing

Due to the marine environment in Southern Clayoquot Sound hypothermia is one of the risks that are faced by sea kayakers. One of the ways to mitigate this risk is through wearing the appropriate clothing. There are a variety of fabrics available for a person who desires to explore the outdoors. Some fabrics are more appropriate than others for the marine environment in Southern Clayoquot Sound.

You should anticipate to have one set of paddling clothes and another set of clothes that are camp clothes. The goal with camp clothes is that they remain dry, so that after a day of paddling you have something to change into that have not soaked up sweat, rain and salt water.

Layering is the best way to regulate temperature. While kayaking wear long underwear (top & bottoms) with quick dry shorts/pants over top and a fleece to throw on if it is cool. Also keep rain gear handy to throw on quickly if needed. On your feet wear Teva style sandals, water shoes, or rubber boots. Always keep your hats handy to help regulate temperature. At the camp – All you need is your comfy, cozy clothes to relax in at the end of the day. Keep raingear handy and you can wear sandals or lightweight shoes.

Gear List:

Below is a list of other gear you should anticipate bringing with you.

Required

  • Tent
  • Ground sheet for tent
  • Sleeping bag- ideally synthetic, cotton and down once wet are not good insulators
  • Sleeping pad- closed cell or Therma-rest, the smaller it packs the better
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, moisturizer, baby wipes (for tent bath))
  • Personal medications
  • Spare contact lenses or prescription glasses
  • Small quick dry travel towel
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunhat
  • Sunscreen, lip balm
  • Small flashlight or headlamp, with extra batteries
  • Small stuff sack to pack all the little things in

*If you do not have your own tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad they are available to rent from Paddle West Kayaking for an additional fee. Please see the Rental page for prices.

Optional

  • Insect repellent (we do not have many bugs, but we do have a few)
  • Binoculars
  • Camera (in a waterproof case or bag)
  • Floating sunglass/ glass strap
  • Book
  • Paper and pen
  • Lighter
  • Waterbottle- we provide waterbottles, but you may prefer your own

Notes on Packing ~ The 4 Bag System

Below is a suggestion on how to organize your gear using four waterproof bags.

Bag 1- Camp Clothing Bag

This bag is to keep your camp clothes dry while you are paddling.

Bag 2- Lap Bag

This bag is where you keep all the gear you will need for the day while you paddle. This would include things like sunscreen, camera, binoculars and lunch.

Bag 3- Overnight Bag

This bag is where you put your other camp items that are not your clothing such as your book, flashlight, eating utensils, and toiletries. Ideally your sleeping pad will fit in this bag as well.

Bag 4- Sleeping Bag

This bag is self-explanatory, your sleeping bag will be stuffed into this bag.

Other Notes

Shoes can be packed either directly into the kayak hatches or packed in a garbage bag. They do not need to go into a dry bag.

When packing, multiple smaller bags are better than large bags as small bags are easier to manipulate to fit into the hatches.

If you need more waterproof bags than provided the following are good options:

  • personal dry bags you bring with you, purchased prior to the tour
  • stuff sacks with garbage bag liners
  • plain old garbage bags (this is not recommended for clothes, sleeping bag and any electronics)