"Ewan Scott" wrote in message
...
Sleeveless Long John Wetsuit £about £55 for a 3mm suit.

Already got, although I'm looking at buying a long sleeve wesuit top for
cold days and a set of short trousers for hot days!

Wetsuit boots.

I've got some, but these are on my list too. I have real problems finding
nice ones though. Tiny feet means I have to have junior ones, and junior
ones mean flouresant colours! (Not that I'm a slave to fashion, I just
like to match reasonably!)

Dry Cag of some sort - that is rubber seals on neck and wrists, and a
double
seal for the spraydeck. I use a reed Chill Cheater whict I think is ace,
my
son hates his with a vengeance though - each to their own. Make sure you
have room to move in it.

I've heard loads about the chill cheaters, but I can't find any shops round
here that sell them. The only other advise I've been told is NOT to go for
a Nookie. A girl I work with got one and it fell apart in a few months.

BA - enough to carry your weight, pocket on the front for odds and sods -
I

Is it just me that has noticed that the more pockets you get the more money
you pay? It's such a negligable amount of fabric used! (Like, why do you
pay more for thongs? Ok, mind wandering again.)

Paddles, get what you are comfortable with.

I've been using a 60 deg feather, which I'm not greatly happy with but it'll
do till I work out what I really really like. It can be a spare after that.
What is the shaft length relative to? I mean, is it something logical like
the taller you are the longer your paddle shaft length? Or it it just what
you prefer? I guess the guys at the shop can help me with that.

What else might you need... Dry bags - forget BDAs, they are too rigid,
use
soft nylon drybags - we all have a medium for clothes and a small for
emergency kit.

Good idea. I've seen some nice rucksack ones which is good because I cycle
everywhere. I genrally keep my wet kit stinking in a plastic tub once it's
been rinsed and dryed. Come to think of that, I dry my kit in a plant room
in a swimming pool usually, will the chemicals in the air degrade my kit?
Or is it so insignificant that it won't matter. Doesn't seem to bother my
swim suits.

A survival bag - one of those orange poly ones, don't open it, fold it
flat
and duck tape it to the inside of your boat - it is for emergency use
only.

Good idea, I never thought of that. The last time I saw one of those being
used was the men in the club (can I really call them men?) having sack races
in them. Nut cases.

Helmet - one that fits and you are comfortable with - avoid peaks and face
guards - at this stage :-)

Yup, got mine today. Nice Yak one, although I'm having trouble getting it
to fit properly (the back straps won't tighten properly). I think I need to
stick a little more neoprene padding in it.

Throw bag - 15 metres.

Would you reccomend this even for a newbie? I know how to use it (I work as
a lifeguard) but I'd be worried about carrying it for some strange reason!
Do you think that all adult kayakers should have one? Where abouts do you
carry yours BTW?

Bouyancy bags for your boat.

Already got, not allowed on the water with the club without them.

Tow line - if you buy one get an elasticated one - it is far easier to tow
with than the non elasticated type - also, make sure there is a small
metal
crab on the end rather than a plastic clip.

Again, a good idea for a newbie? I'd be really worried about getting one.

A sling and a crab for hauling your boat up and down embankments. We have
a
2m sling and a self locking crab - if you can find a piece of cork thread
the sling theough the cork in case you drop it in the water.

Where do I get these? Anything that makes my boat easier to carry is good!

Spray deck that fits quite tightly, neoprene is best. - tip, you can run
silicone sealant under the lip of the cockpit to make a better seal - but
it
does come undone - you can also seal all screwheads the same way.

Again, I'm having problems with this one. I can't seem to find a decent
neoprene deck with a small enough waist to fit properly.

Emergency kit - buy a spare bung for your boat and find some plastic
sealant
of some sort to carry with you. Plus all the FA kit you will need - don't
forget you own personal medication - you might not be able to give someone
else codiene, but you can give it to yourself if you need it.

Where the hell do you carry all this stuff? I'd be able to fit it behind my
seat, but how do I keep it there?

Cheers for the advise. Much appreciated.

Charlie.