Gear for a river trip as part of a group

Self sufficiency : Be self sufficient.

Checklist : In order of appearance.

Carry enough stuff with you to complete the trip.

"STUFF" means :

Packed lunch :

carry in a waterproof container - Tupperware is ideal. Flask with a hot beverage to thaw out the fingers and tummy at the same time.   Money for sweets or a phonecall is advisable too.

Ist Aid Kit :

This can be carried but the instructor will have his.

Throwline/towline :

Instructor will have these as part of their kit.

These items can be stored behind the seat and held in place by blowing up the buoyancy bag to hold them in.

Clothing : Rivers in winter are COLD !!!

Wetsuit

is a must. Long john type is preferred as a wetsuit jacket can be tight and restricting to a paddler and can chaffe. Under the wetsuit a thin layer such as a swimsuit or thermal vest etc. is recommended both as a thermal layer and to prevent chaffing.

Cagoule

The outer layer must be wind and water proof, wind being the canoeists big enemy on cold days on the river.

Clothing

under the cagoule is better to consist of several layers as opposed to one thick layer. Avoid cotton garments as they get heavy, hangs and loses most of its thermal properties when wet. Polyester/terylene fibre clothing is best with wool being good (it hangs and is heavy too but still keeps in heat)

Footwear

must be robust enough to prevent injury on the walk in and out from the river, which could be boggy mud, jagged slate or anything in between. Old pongy trainers are good as they have good soles, air holes to let the water out and are expendable. Canoeing boots are available made of wetsuit material bonded to plastic soles with or without zips if you want to spend money.

Helmet

is a MUST in rivers. No helmet, No Go !. The club has basic helmets for use but more modern can be bought if you wish to put out the money. Club ones will do to start out.

Off the water

This is as important to consider as on the water and requires thought. Your fingers will have lost half their capability by the time you are back at the car and have loaded your boat. You will lose more heat getting dressed than you will during the time in the kayak !. (Not a lot of people know that - Michael Caine)
With this in mind you will need to pack clothes which fasten easily, are warm and retain warmth.
There is always a time of standing about until all the cars are at the get out point so windproof gear in case of rain or howling gales (surprisingly often) is required.
Warm clothes, a wooly hat and if younger, gloves will help keep the body warm after getting changed.

A BIG towel

is important. All our regular trips involve getting changed beside roads or in public car parks or streets. You need to keep covered up while changing or neighbours complain ! Such complaints can nowadays lose us the use of get out points !.

Something to stand on

is an often overlooked item which will keep feet and dry socks clean till shoes are back on (often last to be put on when dressing).

A waterproof bag

is handy or at least a large holdall to put the wetsuit and other wet gear into (with the towel wrapped round it) to save the driver's car being soaked by the residual water creeping out on the way home. It helps in the dropping off of passengers too if all your stuff is in the one holdall.

Hire fees

for the stuff borrowed is a good idea to alleviate the burdens on the person who distributes it.A receipt will be given whether you pay for the stuff or not and it is expected that at the next pool session any outstanding hire fees will be settled. Hire fees go straight to the Club funds for newer equipment. Fuel costs are sorted out on the day by the individual with the driver. The Club does not account for these.

Format of a river trip on a typical Club trip.

1. Meeting place - usually at the canoe store.
2. Collect boats, sort out transport, load roofracks or trailer with equipment.
3. Get personal equipment distributed into relevant cars. Now is the time to double check you have everything - self sufficiency !.
4. Travel to the get-in point, unload boats etc, then get dressed for the trip.
5. Drivers take the cars to the get-out point then return in one car which stays at the top. (Make sure your dry stuff is NOT in the top car !)

Paddle, Play, Teach, Enjoy the day.

1. At the get-out point exit the water, team up in twos, two to a boat if the going is rough.
2. Get dressed DISCRETELY then load up boats and equipment onto car/trailer.
3. Pack away wet stuff such that the car is not flooded on the way home.   Drivers will be sorting out the top car while you are getting dressed.
4. Load up.   Check nothing is left behind then back to canoe store to finish by tidily returning boats etc..
5. Any hires clothes should be rinsed clean then returned as soon as possible to the issuing person, usually at the pool.