Gear list

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site

Haida Gwaii Watchman Walter Russ and kayaker © Parks Canada / Neil Osborne

Checklist for Sea Kayaking in Gwaii Haanas

Use these checklists as a guide. Items and quantities taken will depend on your sail plan, experience and the length and type of trip. If you are renting a kayak, check to make sure it is equipped with the proper safety gear and take time to familiarize yourself with it and all equipment.

You can download a copy of our checklist to print (PDF, 29 Kb) or contact the office.

Items in bold are the minimum safety equipment described in the Small Vessel Regulations.

Clothing

Wear synthetic fabrics (e.g., polypropylene, polar fleece) that will keep you warm while "wicking" moisture away from your body and will dry relatively quickly. Dress in layers so that you can adjust for varying conditions. Keep a shell or windbreaker, and your rain gear handy.

Headgear: warm hat & sun hat
Rain gear with hood: heavy duty rubberized or vinyl gear is more effective on the water than breathable fabrics (e.g. Gore-tex)
Shorts: quick dry
Pants: wool or fleece
Jacket: fleece
Sweater: light wool
Shirt/T-shirt
Long underwear: polypropylene or other synthetic
Gloves: paddling gloves, pogies or rubber gloves, wear over fleece gloves
Footwear: camp shoes and paddling shoes (wetsuit booties, sport sandles with neoprene socks, quick dry runners)
Swimsuit

Safety Gear

Personal flotation device (PFD)
VHF radio: Will allow you to receive marine weather info or contact other vessels, Gwaii Haanas Wardens, Haida Gwaii Watchmen or the Coast Guard.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
Distress flares: Twin Star, Parachute or handheld carried by one member of group. Each member of the group min 3 pocket flares.
Self-rescue aids (Paddle float / rescue stirrup)
Head lamp
Waterproof flashlight

Boat Gear

Paddle
Spare paddle (carried on deck)
Spray skirt
Bailer or pump
Sponge
Flotation bags or bulkheads
Sound signaling device
Strobe Light
Min. 15 m buoyant heaving line
Hatch covers / lids

Navigation

Marine charts & waterproof case
Tide tables
Watch
Compass
Dividers
Binoculars
Pencils
Waterproof note book / logbook
Navigation lights if operated in periods of restricted visibility
Global Positioning system (GPS) (optional)

Accessible Personal Gear

Day pack
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Sunglasses with buoyant band
Towel
Energy bars
Toilet paper
Toiletries/Medications

Stowed Personal Gear

Wallet/Cash
Contact phone numbers
Float plan copy
Fresh water storage containers

Repair Kit

Duct tape
Fibreglass resin and cloth
Sandpaper
Multihead screwdriver
Spare batteries & bulbs
Adjustable wrench
Stainless steel nuts & bolts for rudder
Stainless steel cable for rudder
Scissors
Silicone sealant (ex. shoe goo or Aquaseal)
Heavy duty needle and thread
Ripstop nylon repair kit
Stove repair kit

Survival Kit (attach kit to a line with a clip which can be attached to PFD)

Mirror
Smoke canister
Waterproof matches & fire starter
Electrolyte replacement
High energy food
Bouillon cubes
Fishing line
Hooks
Stainless steel wire
Can for cooking
Pencil & paper
Small flashlight
First aid kit
Knife
Reflective "space" blanket
Candle

First Aid Kit

Adhesive tape
Pain reliever
Antacid
Antihistamine
Antibacterial soap
Bandages: strips, butterfly, and steri-stips
Burn dressing
Cotton tip applicators
Disinfecting ointment
Drainage dressing
Gauze pads: sterile
Moleskin / blister kit
Motion sickness remedy
Needle
Pressure dressing
Razor blade: single edge
Roller gauze
Safety pins
Scissors
Telfa pads
Tensor bandage
Thermometer
Triangular bandage
Tweezers
Splints

Shore Gear

Tarp
Tent
Stove: white gas
Cooking pot
Sleeping bag
Bug repellent
Toilet paper
Stuff sacks
Camp saw
15m rope / system for hanging food

Note: To read the PDF version you need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your system.

If the Adobe download site is not accessible to you, you can download Acrobat Reader from an accessible page.

If you choose not to use Acrobat Reader you can have the PDF file converted to HTML or ASCII text by using one of the conversion services offered by Adobe.

Language selection

Search