Skills Checklist

I am a big believer in The Checklist Manifesto. Checklists are the way to get things done right, so I have included here a checklist of all the things I think you should know and do before embarking on a thru-paddle.

First Things First

• Do you have all the necessary gear?
• Have you test-packed your kayak? Does everything fit?
• Have you paddled your kayak fully loaded?

Equipment

• How do you fix your camping gear if it breaks?
• How do you fix your rudder and/or cables if they break?
• How about the paddle?

Camping

• Are you comfortable setting up camp in bad weather?
• What are the principles of Leave No Trace camping?

The Cold

• Have you experienced cold-water conditions?
• Have you tested your cold-weather clothes in the field?
• Have you tested your rain gear in the field?
• What are the symptoms of hypothermia?

Rescues

• Have you tipped over and exited your boat?
• Have you practiced reentering your boat after a capsize?
• In what sea conditions are you capable of doing this?
• What is the plan if your partner capsizes?
• Have you practiced towing another kayak?
• What is the plan if you and your partner become separated?
• What is the plan if someone gets hurt?

Know Your Limits

• Are you comfortable paddling in bad weather?
• Have you only paddled in calm seas?
• Have you landed your kayak on the beach through surf?
• Have you launched from the beach through surf?
• Do you know when it is unsafe to paddle?
• As a group, how do you decide when conditions are unsafe for paddling?
• If the weather turns before reaching camp, what are the bailout points?
• Who is the weakest / slowest paddler in your group?
• How far you can travel in a day with a loaded boat?
• How about in a headwind?
• How about with following seas?

Signaling

• How do you fire a signal flare?
• Does everyone have easy access to signal flares from their cockpit?
• How do you ask for help with a marine VHF 2-way radio?  

Navigation

• How do you navigate if you can't see your destination?
• What is a second method of navigation?
• Have you programmed every waypoint from the Data Book into your GPS?
• Have you marked your NOAA charts with these waypoints?

Tides and Currents

• Can you read a tide chart?
• Do you understand the information broadcast over a weather radio?
• How do river mouths and other topographical features affect seas?

Experience

• Have you gone on a “dry run” of at least 3-days, 2-nights?
• Have you taken a kayaking class?

**This checklist was inspired by one created by Todd Leigh at www.gasp-seakayak.net/, which has been copied and pasted onto other websites without crediting Leigh. I have preserved Leigh’s format and a few questions but this checklist is more thorough, focused, and relevant to the thru-paddler.