The best advice for preparing for trips is probably to use common sense. Trips are usually no more than 2 days long and the main aim is to go kayaking. Therefore, you should really pack enough clothes for 2 days, your kayaking gear, and somewhere to sleep. It’s not particularly necessary to bring the entire contents of your kitchen.

You also need to make sure that you know when the club is leaving and from where, and be there on time. This is vitally important, as if you are not at the right place at the right time the whole trip will be delayed. Check the forum regularly as important details will be posted here. The majority of club trips involve camping, although sometimes we stay in camping barns, bunk houses, B&Bs and even Travel Lodge. Camping will require the most extensive kit, the others will need less.

CAMPING ESSENTIALS

Tent
Tents are often useful for sleeping in, and making the whole affair a lot less cold and damp. There are plenty of members in the club who already have a tent, so it isn’t always necessary to bring your own and ensuring that you have a space in one belonging to someone else who you are willing to share with will usually do. That said, if the club is staying indoors somewhere, you’ll look a little silly if you bring a tent. Checking the forum is usually a good idea.

Sleeping Bag
A decent sleeping bag is an absolute necessity, and you should aim to get something around Season 3. Definitely avoid buying the ones from Argos with fish patterns.

Roll mat
Warm clothes
With few exceptions, we will be camping in a field. Fields, traditionally speaking, are cold and wet and so a collection of waterproof and warm clothes are highly recommended;

Boots or anything waterproof. Not flip-flops, sandals, nor those silly little shoes girls wear.
Waterproof jacket
Warm upper layers
Trousers
Socks
Underwear
Spare socks (unbelievably important)
Alcohol
If nothing else it makes it seem a little warmer.
Torch
Toothbrush and toiletries
Mug
Equipment for the provision of tea
Towels
Fairly important given that kayaking usually involves getting wet, admittedly to varying degrees. You should also bring more than one. If nothing else, you can use it as a pillow.

Bin liners
Holdall or rucksack
As a general rule, suitcases and fields don’t mix. The little wheels don’t seem to work too well.
You may need to bring food, depending on whether it is being provided by the organiser or at the event itself. That said, you might want to bring food along anyway. If you have any dietary requirements, you may need to make the organiser aware of it.

PADDLING KIT
Each person’s paddling kit differs from everyone else’s, so listing here what to bring would be entirely useless. Just ensure that you warm thermals/underlayers, some sort of top, and something to keep your privates warm. This usually means a thermal/rash vest, a cag, and something for your legs, at the absolute minimum. (There is a guide on kit below)

It is also a good idea to bring the following for the use on the water;
Drink
Chocolate (or any other high energy food stuffs. Chocolate tastes ok when wet, though)
Not entirely necessary, but sometimes useful;
First aid kit
Torch
Spare hat, jumper
Dry bag for all of the above

Check the forum before leaving to ensure there isn’t any additional stuff that needs to be taken, such as money for river tickets, or ID cards, or anything. Also, ensure that you have your personal medication with you.

If you are unsure of something don’t hesitate to ask others, just about everyone will be more than willing to help.