Marine kayaking starter pack
Kayaking is a way of life for our favourite marine life expert, Nathan Pettigrew.
The ocean is my go-to place for clearing thoughts, working out, and allowing the positive ions to completely saturate me and enhance my general well-being. I always come off the water smiling from ear to ear. Seeing sharks, orcas and seals are just a bonus.
Here’s how to get involved.
Cover up! The right clothing is a must. On a hot day, I wear a thin, long sleeve UV-resistant top which allows wind to pass easily through the fibres for cool, unrestricted paddling. A hat and sunglasses are also essential as is a good dose of sunscreen. On cold wintery days, I layer up with a merino shirt underneath a windproof kayak jacket. Gloves are handy too for warmth. But there’s one piece of kit you must invest in and wear at all times: a personal flotation device (FPD). I would never go out without one. If things turned bad, it would be the one thing which brings you home.
Fuel up! For short trips around the harbour, I take snacks and water. For longer trips I often take a cooker and meals that are prepacked in sealed bags. I’ve been known to throw a nice piece of steak and some potatoes in a cooler bag and enjoyed a nice fry up on a quiet beach somewhere after a long morning of paddling! On multi-day trips, I take food packed with protein and energy, but it's imperative for any kayaking session, no matter how short or long, to take a lot of water. Your body will quickly shut down without it.
Safety first! Before you venture out for the first time, skill-up. Find out how to deal with different scenarios should things turn bad. How do you get back in a kayak? Practice your technique until it becomes habit. There are kayaking clubs around to help with this sort of thing. Invest in an EPIRB (electronic positioning indicating radio beacon). If need be, you simply push a button and the coastguard will come to your exact location. I take a VHF radio and GPS too. Paddle floats and pumps are other key items too because, quite simply, your life is worth the investment.
At the ready! I need my essentials to be within easy grasp. My kayak has two large storage hatches and two smaller, day hatches for water, snacks and camera gear. The bigger hatches are used for cooking equipment, a tent for multi-day trips, sleeping bags and food. It is quite surprising when packed correctly, just how much you can cram into a kayak! In the bigger hatches, everything should be put in a dry bag to protect your gear from water, and any rubbing that may occur.
Snap it! Use a waterproof camera or a camera with housing to prevent it from being destroyed by saltwater. Small action cameras are great, but some take wide-angle photos and offer no zoom function, so subjects can look further away than they really are. Smartphones take incredible photos and offer a pretty good zoom. This helps if you are near marine life that you can’t get too close to (make sure you research all the DOC rules and regs to protect our marine life). Take your time, keep the horizon straight, and learn about light and how it affects your shot. Lock your arms on your kayak like a tripod, for a steadier shot.
Finally...
Kayaking has changed my life. I now work with people and organisations beyond my wildest dreams (like UNO. Magazine!!). I can’t stress enough the safety knowledge required for being on the water but once you have gained enough skills, get out and utilise our beautiful ocean and waterways and get back in touch with nature. I doubt you'll regret it. If you have any questions, or I can help in any way, get in contact with me on Facebook. Be good to the ocean!