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.