Equipment & Clothing

For information about renting equipment, please see the Equipment Rental section below. If you bring your own equipment (rather than renting from the club), your must have a boat, a paddle, a life vest (Coast Guard type III or V), spray skirt if appropriate, and a helmet if required. Except on QW trips, kayakers will need a spray skirt. If you have any questions about the suitability of your equipment, please contact the leader.   

The most important factor in deciding what to wear while paddling is the temperature of the water. In cold water, even on a warm day, paddlers without proper clothing face the risk of hypothermia—a potentially life threatening condition. A second important and obvious factor in dressing properly for a paddle is the weather. Even if the water is warm, improperly dressed paddlers will chill quickly if the temperature is cool and the wind is blowing. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that hypothermia is perhaps the most serious hazard that paddlers face. For this reason, trip leaders may refuse to allow participation by paddlers who show up without proper clothing.

Many of our activities are day trips that require no camping gear. To participate in most weekend trips you’ll need some basic camping gear and clothing, including a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, flashlight and other personal gear.