PADDLER 98
PADDLER 98
l Paddle when the weather and tides are good . Eat when you ’ re hungry and sleep when you ’ re tired . Sort of takes you out of the 9 to 5 mindset . Invests you with flexibility . l For fuel economy , only heat water to the required temperature for a hot drink ; it doesn ’ t need to boil . l Fill the Nalgene with hot squash and insulate it with a sock – it ’ s a hot water bottle ! In the morning , drink all of the warm squash . l Snack in BA and eat just before landing at camp to give you some energy to set up . l Using a tent peg as a hook to grab onto the stuff stuck at the end of the boat . l Keep everything you are likely to need for a day ’ s paddling in the same accessible hatch , excluding snacks or hydration , which should be within easy reach . l Don ’ t get sand in Dave ’ s boat ! l Always pack a warm jacket ( for stops ), food and a stove ( for lunch stops ), and your tent , poles , and pegs where they are easily accessible in your boat . l M & S chai tea lattes were perfect ; just add hot water . Delicious and easy . l Don ’ t rely exclusively on dried food . Although nutritious , it becomes tasteless and boring very quickly . Supplement it with fresh vegetables . l Hand warmers to put in a sleeping bag , warm sleeping clothes and a warm waterproof storm cag . l Simplify as much as possible . l Remember to pack loads of BA snacks and replenish them every day ! l Ladies , take two bras for paddling ; if you are lucky enough to paddle cagless , they will get encrusted with salt . l Waterproof socks are great at camp for keeping feet dry and look cool with sandals . l Rotating three simple meals during a trip works well and reduces waste . l Google Translate is your friend when shopping in foreign supermarkets – just because it looks like a tin of tuna doesn ’ t mean it is ! l Packing the boat so your kit is accessible when needed is essential to avoid repeated packing and repacking during the day . l The choice of next-to-skin clothing is really important when wearing dry suits , cags , etc ., when the opportunity to wash kit is limited . Natural fibres such as merino wool or bamboo work much better than man made fibres . l You rarely camp on flat mown grass , so your sleeping system must cope with rough and uneven ground . l Being super organised with your food and kit means you don ’ t need to get up three hours before you are due to leave in the morning . l Go with great people – everything else is just detail !
These are the weird and wacky top tips and handy hints that can only come from undertaking a real expedition and experiencing the highs , lows , challenges and celebrations of living out of a 30cm hatch in a sea kayak .