Kayak trip

Whitewater/touring gear: boat, PFD, dry bags, distances, safety

Boat & paddle

Touring kayak 4–5 m with cockpit or sit-on-top for beginners; inflatable for portage trips. Paddle sized to height and boat width.

PFD

Mandatory always on water, not in a dry bag. For whitewater — a whitewater PFD with high buoyancy and quick release.

Dry bags

Dry bags 10–20 L for gear, separate dry pouch for phone and documents. Weight distribution — heavy to the center.

Distance planning

Norm 15–25 km/day with rapids; speed 4–6 km/h downstream, 2–3 against. Rest days every 3–4 days.

Water safety

Check water level and forecast before departure; scout rapids from shore. Insurance on water — mandatory for hard sections.

Group gear

Repair kit (wire, sealant), throw rope 15–20 m, waterproof first aid, spare paddle per group.

The most common cause of water accidents — no PFD. Second — overestimating ability: start with calm rivers before your first multi-day trip.