Checklist for Canoeing

One of the best ways to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip is to prepare yourself with the appropriate equipment for your outdoor activity. Canoes offer outdoor enthusiasts a great way to experience calm waterways and lakes in a leisurely setting. Distinguished from kayaking by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle, canoeing involves paddling a canoe with a single-bladed paddle wherein the user sits atop a higher seat not encased within the vessel like a kayak. Those who participate in water activities as an addition to their camping or hiking trip or to their travel plans will want to also review our other checklists as well to ensure that they’re fully stocked for anything that may come their way.

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Essential Equipment

Canoeing involves a specialized set of equipment. As we just mentioned, a canoe and the accessory pieces of gear that go with it are specific to canoeing, making this equipment checklist an essential for anyone who plans to participate in canoeing sports. Those who are planning a quick day trip will still need most of these items (if not all of these items) in comparison to a multi-day canoeing tourist.

Basic Gear

From canoe camping and sprint canoeing to a calm weekend excursion out on the water, there are some basics that you should stock your bags with to ensure a safe, comfortable trip. Those who plan to venture away from the shoreline towards a destination will need to be able to stash all of these items within their canoe, while those who are simply paddling out and right back may be able to stash larger items on the shoreline for later use.

Travel Items and Miscellaneous Gear

Because many will need to travel in order to reach the local waterway, there are many travel items to consider. Additionally, we’ll cover many of the miscellaneous products you can opt to bring depending on which water activities you’ll be getting into! If you’re simply planning a quick canoe trip out on a calm lake, you can leave many of the larger items (like a cooler, for instance) just on shore for you to return to.

Clothing

While one may consider the minimalist perspective for watersport attire, canoers should take into consideration their exposure to the sun when out on the water and well as their exposure to the elements. As we’ve mentioned before, shorter and more casual trips may require less attire than someone planning a multi-day tour. Remember that it’s always recommended to dress in layers that can be easily removed as temperatures rise.

Repair Kit Items

Canoes are prone to breakdowns like any type of watercraft. There are certain specialized items that are useful to take along in case of an accident or equipment failure. Be sure to have these either in your canoe or just on shore.

First Aid

As an essential to any trip, first aid can help to ensure that minor accidents and ailments are taken care of. Those participating in watersports aboard a boat or other dry area will have the benefit of being able to bring more first aid items than, say, a swimmer would. But even kayakers, canoers, and rafters will want to bring minimal supplies for the trip in case of emergency. If you’re staying near shore, be sure to keep you first aid items in easy reach on the shoreline.