"Keith Meredith" wrote in message
...
Hi

What kit would you advise a new paddler to spend money on?

Keith


Hiya

****For flat water paddling****:

1/ membership of a suitable club.
Most flat water clubs will have items 7 to 10 available for new members to
borrow.


2/ wet shoes (not boots)
3/ leggings or shorts
4/ T shirts
5/ cag (only used if the weather is very chilly, or during heavy rain)
6/ Floatie glasses strap if the paddler wears glasses.
Items 2 to 6 are personal needs, are an aid to comfort if they fit properly,
and much nicer to know they are clean!


7/ BA (usually discarded after the initial stabilisation and learning
period, except for when competing in lower divisional races)
8/ paddle
9/ spray deck (not used by a lot of flat water paddlers)
10/ boat
Items 7 to 10 can be bought when the novice has tried out a variety of kit,
and has a better idea of what suits their individual needs.

11/ drink bottle/bag may be needed if racing.

12/ I like to wear a canvas Tilly hat while paddling. It is water proof, it
floats, it keeps the sun out of my eyes & off my head, it also keeps the
rain off my head and off my glasses. It keeps flies off my head and deflects
them away from my face. When racing I soak the hat in the water just before
the start and it cools me down. I can keep a spare key and £5 in a sealed
plastic bag in the pocket hidden in the crown of the hat. When I'm out in
windy weather, the brim folds up on either side to reduce the drag and the
hat fastens on to my head with an adjustable tie at the back. For really
strong winds it also ties on under my chin. My Tilly hat is my favourite
canoeing accessory. I wash it in the dishwasher (no, not with the dishes
in!).

13/ Extended V- bars & bungees to transport the boat to races.
14/ roof rack to mount V bars on.
15/ vehicle to mount roof rack on.
(A very few clubs have their own trailer to transport member's boats to
races.
Often a fellow club member will offer to transport a new member's boat until
they can obtain their own rack & transport)

Note; all the above applies to flat water; bumpy water paddling may have
different customs in place.

David
Not a fan of over spending too soon.
Hmmm, too many words, delete the last two words.