What to Bring on a Club Trip

Essential Equipment for All Trips

Anything marked with an asterisk (*) can be borrowed from the Club, subject to availability and being requested in advance.

For all club trips, paddlers should bring:

• Suitable paddling clothing — please see the relevant section below depending on the type of water, weather and time of year
• Buoyancy aid *
• Helmet, where required by the trip leader *
• Paddling footwear that can get wet * — not Crocs, flip-flops or ordinary trainers
• Spare warm clothing
• Towel
• Drink
• Food or snacks
• Any personal medication, including inhalers or EpiPens if required

Over-packing is rarely a problem. If you bring too many thermals, you do not have to wear them all when you get to the river. It is much better to have spare layers available than to realise too late that you are underdressed.

Please also remember that the weather in Hull may be very different from the weather at the trip destination. Conditions can change quickly, and the river, lake or coastline may feel much colder than expected.

Back to contents

Flat Water Trips — Warm Days

Flat water trips include sheltered rivers, canals, lakes and other calm water environments. On warm days, the main risks are sun exposure, dehydration, wind chill after getting wet, and sudden changes in weather.

Paddlers should dress for the possibility of getting wet, not just for the temperature on land. It is usually much easier to cool down than it is to warm up again once wet.

Clothing

Recommended clothing:

• Lightweight paddling top, sports top or thin thermal top
• Shorts, leggings or lightweight paddling trousers
• Thin fleece or extra layer if the weather is cooler
• Lightweight waterproof jacket or paddling cag *
• Paddling shoes *
• Hat or cap for sun protection
• Sunglasses with a retaining strap if needed

Avoid cotton clothing where possible. Cotton holds water, becomes heavy, and can make paddlers cold once wet.

Personal Kit

Paddlers should bring:

• Full water bottle
• Snacks or packed lunch, depending on trip length
• Sun cream
• Towel
• Spare dry clothes
• Waterproof phone pouch if carrying a phone
• Any personal medication

Useful Extras

• Small dry bag
• Insect repellent
• Change of footwear for after the trip

Back to contents

Flat Water Trips — Cold Days

Flat water trips include sheltered rivers, canals, lakes and other calm water environments. On cold days, the main risks are cold water, wind chill, getting wet, and becoming cold quickly once paddling stops.

Paddlers should dress for the possibility of getting wet, not just for the temperature on land. Cold water can affect breathing, movement and decision-making very quickly, so having the right clothing and spare kit is important.

Clothing

Recommended clothing:

• Thermal base layer
• Wetsuit, dry trousers * and cag, or drysuit depending on the conditions
• Waterproof paddling cag *
• Warm hat or neoprene skull cap
• Neoprene gloves or pogies
• Warm socks or neoprene socks
• Paddling shoes *

Avoid cotton clothing where possible. Cotton holds water, becomes heavy, and can make paddlers cold very quickly once wet.

Personal Kit

Paddlers should bring:

• Full water bottle
• Snacks or packed lunch, depending on trip length
• Towel
• Full spare set of warm dry clothes
• Warm coat for before and after paddling
• Hat and gloves for after the paddle
• Hot drink in a flask
• Waterproof phone pouch if carrying a phone
• Any personal medication

Useful Extras

• Small dry bag
• Extra thermal layer
• Changing robe or large towel
• Hand warmers
• Change of footwear for after the trip

Back to contents

White Water Trips — Warm Days

White water trips involve moving water, faster currents, waves, rocks, drops, strainers and other hazards. Even on warm days, paddlers should be prepared to get wet and should wear suitable protective equipment.

Paddlers should dress for the possibility of swimming, not just for the weather on the bank. White water paddling usually involves more contact with the water than flat water paddling, so clothing needs to stay comfortable and practical when wet.

Clothing

Recommended clothing:

• Lightweight thermal top
• Shorts, leggings or lightweight paddling trousers
• Wetsuit, dry trousers * and cag, or other suitable paddling clothing depending on conditions
• Lightweight paddling cag *
• Neoprene socks or warm paddling socks
• Secure paddling shoes *
• Neoprene gloves or pogies if needed

Avoid cotton clothing where possible. Cotton holds water, becomes heavy, and can make paddlers cold once wet.

Safety Equipment

Paddlers will normally need:

• Buoyancy aid *
• Helmet *
• Suitable white water boat *
• Paddle *
• Spray deck if using a closed cockpit kayak *

Personal Kit

Paddlers should bring:

• Full water bottle
• Snacks or packed lunch, depending on trip length
• Sun cream
• Towel
• Spare dry clothes
• Waterproof phone pouch if carrying a phone
• Any personal medication

Useful Extras

• Small dry bag
• Insect repellent
• Change of footwear for after the trip
• Spare thermal layer

Back to contents

White Water Trips — Cold Days

White water trips involve moving water, faster currents, waves, rocks, drops, strainers and other hazards. On cold days, the risks are higher because paddlers are more likely to get wet, and cold water can quickly affect breathing, movement and decision-making.

Paddlers should dress for the possibility of swimming, not just for the temperature on land. The trip leader may require specific equipment depending on the river, weather, water level and experience of the group.

Clothing

Recommended clothing:

• Thermal base layer x 2
• Drysuit, or suitable wetsuit / dry trousers and cag combination depending on conditions
• Waterproof paddling cag *
• Warm hat or neoprene skull cap
• Neoprene gloves or pogies
• Neoprene socks or warm paddling socks
• Secure paddling shoes *

Avoid cotton clothing where possible. Cotton holds water, becomes heavy, and can make paddlers cold very quickly once wet.

Safety Equipment

Paddlers will normally need:

• Buoyancy aid *
• Helmet *
• Suitable white water boat *
• Paddle *
• Spray deck if using a closed cockpit kayak *

Personal Kit

Paddlers should bring:

• Full water bottle
• Snacks or packed lunch, depending on trip length
• Towel
• Full spare set of warm dry clothes
• Warm coat for before and after paddling
• Hat and gloves for after the paddle
• Hot drink in a flask
• Waterproof phone pouch if carrying a phone
• Any personal medication

Useful Extras

• Small dry bag
• Extra thermal layer
• Changing robe or large towel
• Hand warmers
• Change of footwear for after the trip

Back to contents

What Not to Wear

Please avoid:

• Jeans
• Heavy cotton hoodies
• Lycra rash tops used on their own in cool, cold or changeable conditions
• Thick cotton tracksuit bottoms
• Crocs
• Flip-flops
• Open-toed sandals
• Ordinary trainers, unless specifically agreed for a particular trip
• Clothing that becomes heavy when wet
• Jewellery or loose items that may catch
• Anything you would be upset to lose or damage

Cotton clothing is not recommended for paddling because it holds water, becomes heavy and can make paddlers cold very quickly once wet.

Back to contents

Lycra Rash Tops

Lycra rash tops can be excellent for very warm days, sunny conditions and competitive paddling. They are lightweight, comfortable, quick drying, and many have high SPF or UV protection ratings to help keep the sun off.

However, lycra rash tops have very little thermal protection. They should not be treated as a warm layer, especially on cooler days, windy days, cold water trips, or trips where paddlers may spend time in the water.

For club trips, a rash top may be suitable as part of a warm-weather clothing system, but paddlers should still bring additional layers. A thin thermal top, fleece, cag or spare warm clothing can make a big difference if the weather changes or a paddler gets wet.

Back to contents

Medication and Personal Needs

Paddlers, parents and carers must make the trip leader aware of any relevant medical conditions before the trip. This includes asthma, allergies, diabetes, epilepsy, recent injuries, anxiety around water, or anything else that may affect participation.

Medication such as inhalers or EpiPens must be brought on the trip and kept accessible.

Back to contents

Phones and Valuables

Phones should only be carried on the water if protected in a waterproof pouch or dry bag. The Club cannot guarantee that personal items will remain dry.

For some trips, leaders may ask paddlers or parents to carry emergency contact details.

Back to contents

Final Checks Before Leaving Home

Before setting off, please check:

• You have clothing suitable for the type of water and weather conditions
• You have a full change of dry clothes
• You have food and drink
• You have any personal medication
• You know the meeting point and time
• You have completed any required booking or equipment request forms
• You have requested any club equipment you need to borrow
• You have read any trip-specific instructions from the Club

Back to contents

Club Leader Decision

The trip leader has the final decision on whether a paddler has suitable equipment for the planned trip. This decision will be based on safety, weather, water conditions, the type of trip, and the needs of the group.

If a paddler does not have suitable equipment, the trip leader may decide that they cannot take part. This is not to exclude anyone — it is to keep the paddler and the wider group safe.

Kingston Kayak Club wants everyone to enjoy paddling, progress safely, and have a brilliant time on the water. Turning up with the right kit helps make that possible.

Back to contents