Canoeing & Kayaking Trip Checklist
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5 Basic Tips for Your Canoeing & Kayaking Trip:

1. Leave family and friends a message with the following information:

  1. Define the exact location of where you plan to canoe or kayak
  2. Include your expected time of return and latest time possible you will return so others can know that you are safe.
  3. Include vehicle information as well, including license plate number and other documentation. This is especially important if using a rental vehicle.

2. Check your equipment.

  1. Once you have completed your checklist, look over your equipment and be sure everything is in good working condition.
  2. Test any electronics to be sure they are working.
  3. Do the proper maintenance on any vehicles and essential equipment to be taken along on your trip.

3. Always carry proper identification.

  1. Be sure to use our Documents Checklist, and to keep proper identification with you at all times.

4. Avoid over packing or under packing.

  1. Before you head out on your canoeing or kayaking trip, double-check your checklist to be sure you have everything needed for the trip. This will help you to avoid an unnecessary trip to a local shopping center to buy things that you have forgotten to pack.
  2. Be sure to pack a lot, but remember that packing too much can make it a hassle to find things when you need them.

5. Know your location.

  1. When preparing for your trip, it is important to understand all that is included in your destination. Things such as knowing the weather, the best times of day for fishing, the current water levels, and the local rules and regulations could all affect your trip.
  2. Also, refer to our many resources in preparing for your trip.

6. Check Current Water Levels 

  1. Be sure to check current water levels for the area you are planning to visit by going to our public resource State by State Real Time Water Levels.

The Canoeing and Kayaking Trip Checklist is an attempt to provide a list of essential items. While not 100% complete for everyone's personal needs, the checklist is offered as a nearly complete list of items you'll need or may want to consider bringing with you on your next trip.

After using the checklist on a canoeing or kayaking trip, evaluate the effectiveness of the listed items. If you find some items or tricks-of-the-trade that would help in future trips, share them with your community here at eCountryLifestyle to make future canoeing and kayaking trips more fun and enjoyable for all.

Items in the checklist are suggested, but not all of them are necessarily essential items to take along. The items should be included when needed, at your convenience or ability to do so, which is why we make it easy for you to build your own modified checklist from the checklist we provide.

Continue to next page: Document Checklist

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