Multi–day whitewater kayaking trips are a rewarding way to experience a new river or a remote area of your local watershed. Packing for an expedition is important for both safety and comfort. Knowing what to pack is crucial. But less commonly discussed is how to pack all your gear inside your boat.
Aniol Serrasolses has spent a lot of time on remote rivers, living out of his kayak. His packing philosophy will help you paddle confidently and camp comfortably in the backcountry.
BE ORGANIZED
Pack your kayak in your backyard, prior to arrival at the put-in. Serrasolses suggests laying all your gear out, and organizing it with weight in mind—divide the gear into a couple dry bags that each weigh approximately the same amount once packed; this will be helpful when it comes time to pack the bags into your boat.
Another option is to use multiple smaller dry bags that can be easily rearranged.
Using differently colored bags can help distinguish which items are packed where.
Specialty dry bags are tapered to fit in the bow or stern of a kayak to make the best use of your limited space.
STAY BALANCED
“Weight distribution is key when packing a boat for a multi-day,” says Serrasolses. Having a fully loaded boat changes the way it handles, tracks and sits on the water.
There are three spots in your boat to store gear: the bow, the stern and in the cockpit (on your lap or between your legs). Where you put gear will depend a lot on personal preference. Serrasolses prefers to avoid gear in the bow of the boat. “I will only put weight in the front when packing up for really long expeditions.”
A good rule of thumb is to keep weight low and centered—too much weight in the stern encourages enders and too much weight in the bow makes it hard to boof.
Serrasolses uses a simple three-bag system to stay balanced. Items he needs easy access to are stored in one dry bag between his legs. This includes camera, batteries, snack bars, safety kit and spot device. He likes having these heavy items centered on his legs to stay balanced. “The other two dry bags go in the back of my boat. One has all the food I need and the other has a sleeping bag and dry clothes.” A breakdown paddle can also be stored in the stern.
PLAN FOR SWIMS
Properly packing your gear can mean a more comfortable day on the river, but it’s also important to ensure you don’t lose crucial expedition gear.
Serrasolses recounts a swim he had on expedition in Peru. They were fortunate to find his boat and most of his equipment a few kilometers downstream, but he lost one dry bag because it wasn’t well attached to the boat. “Always safely attach the dry bags to a solid place in the boat.”
THINK ABOUT SAFETY
Safety should always be on your mind when loading your boat. Ensuring you have a quick and clear way out of your boat should never be compromised, so don’t overload the cockpit with gear. “You don’t want to have more than one bag on your legs,” Serrasolses warns. If you know you are slow getting in and out of your kayak you should avoid having any gear on or near your legs.
Always make sure your safety equipment is easily accessible.
By properly and safely packing your kayak, you can make the most of days and nights on remote rivers. After a few days of packing and unpacking, you will develop your own system. “It took me a while to figure out what works best,” says Serrasolses. “Try out a few options and see what is the best for you!”
BONUS TIP: FREESTYLE, FULLY LOADED
Known for his smooth downriver freestyle, it’s not surprising Serrasolses throws tricks while on multi-day trips. His tip for fully loaded kickflips? “Get more speed, and try to get as much air as possible so you don’t have to force the move.”
This photo was taken by Flickr user Zachary Collier and licensed through Creative Commons.
