When I was in my early 20s, I never would have dreamed of kayaking alone. How could that possibly be better than paddling around the lake with my friends? Who would ever want to do a kayaking trip by themselves?
Now I have four children. Now I get it. Oh, how I get it. Solitude and quiet are more precious to me than gold, bitcoin and maybe even brownies (the normal kind).
Even as my children sleep, I’m penning this article about how to paddle somewhere that they’re not. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids dearly. But my MIND. NEEDS. QUIET.
So, let’s discuss how to kayak by yourself.
To kayak solo, every task is yours. 1. Identify the risks. 2. Plan the entire trip – preparing for weather, researching the area and crafting a float plan. 3. Bring appropriate gear and enough of it. 4. Plan a strategy to transport your kayak. 5. Paddle within your abilities and depart with self-rescue skills.
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Table of Contents
What are the risks of kayaking alone?
You are alone
Quite simply, everything is up to you. The planning, the packing, the paddling. It’s all you.
If you forgot to pack a communication device, nobody else is around to lend you theirs.
Didn’t bring quite enough food? Hope you’re hungry for tree frog.
If you hit rough water and capsize, the only person around to rescue you is, well, you.
When solo kayaking, you are the author of your own victories as well as your own defeats, simply because no-one else is around. But you knew that!
Injuries can be bigger problems when alone
Injury is a risk associated with any outdoor sport. Kayaking is no different.
As a solo paddler, you can handle most injuries without help. Nicks, cuts, gashes, strains, sprains and even some broken bones. Even if the injury is really troublesome, you can usually paddle back to safety, even as your body is under pain and duress.
If you sustain a particularly severe injury, you can use your communication device to call for help.
However, perhaps the highest risk situation connected to solo kayaking is that of sudden illness. If you have a heart attack, experience a stroke or take on some other extreme, rapid onset sickness, this is highly problematic.
Situations in which time is of the absolute essence and during which you might be unconscious, are among the highest-risk situations.
Effective planning can help to make dangerous situations safer. However, it can only do so much.
The reality is that kayaking solo comes with risk.
How to plan a solo kayak trip
Ok. Ok. We heard you. Kayaking alone is risky. Thanks Einstein. Now tell us, how do we do it?
Prepare for weather that is forecast as well as weather that isn’t
In my profession as well as in my hobbies, I find it useful to follow the principle of ‘trust but hedge’.
This is how I approach my relationship with those that prognosticate the weather. I consider what they say seriously, but I take steps to make my life less miserable if they are wrong.
‘Trust but hedge.’
Kayaking is usually easiest when there is no rain and no wind.
Before you embark on a solo kayak voyage, be fully informed about whether rain or wind is expected in the area of your trip and how much of an impact it could have on your progress.
If your trip is to take place on a river, additional rain increases the water level.
A low water level plus lot of additional rain could serve to make rapid runs more volatile and dangerous.
If the water level is already average or slightly high, then the increased water could actually reduce the size and intensity of the rapid runs.
Consult the US. Geological Survey (USGS) data for information on current U.S. water levels and streamflow conditions. Data are typically recorded at 15-to-60 minute intervals and transmitted to USGS offices every 1-to-4 hours. During critical events, data transmission may be more frequent.
To use the service, use the map to click on the state in which you plan to paddle. Then, click on the coloured dot that is closest to your location. This gives you information about current absolute water levels as well as levels relative to history.
Now, if your planned trip will take place on the ocean, wind and rain can be particularly problematic as they combine with tidal cycles to create a lot of moving water.
For information on U.S. tides, currents and water levels, consult the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) website. This amazing resource gives you local information about tide predictions, coastal conditions forecasts as well as algal bloom forecasts.
To use this resource, click on the map near the coastal location where you plan to kayak. The service visually provides several measurement locations from which you can source information about water level, air temperature, water temperature, barometric pressure, winds, relative humidity and visibility.
If the forecast weather is expected to create challenging and even dangerous kayaking conditions, I call off the trip. Best to err on the side of caution when paddling alone.
Otherwise, I pack for the forecast weather with appropriate equipment to withstand a little extra wind and wet.
Research the area of your trip before you get there
It might be that your planned solo kayak trip will take you to a familiar location that you have paddled 100 times before. Assuming that you do indeed know and understand the dynamics and hazards of the area, then this is a safer way to solo kayak.
But Christopher Columbus didn’t sail the ocean blue in 1492 because he was looking for a safer spot to vacation! Why should you? Especially considering the amount of data and information available about pretty much anywhere you might choose to paddle.
If I am going exploring by myself, I like to do some secondary research first.
If I am solo paddling in the U.S., I use the USGS and NOAA resource referenced earlier to understand the broad tidal, current and water level landscape of the location.
Often there are kayak and canoe outfitters near the location that I am headed. Chatting with them ahead of time provides super-valuable, first-person information that you will be happy to know. It literally happens every time. Chat with an outfitter online or swing by their location en-route to your destination.
It’s possible, though unlikely, that you’ll break ground on virgin paddling terrain. Search local adventure blogs, Facebook groups and Redditor subs for information about the location.
If you can find an online community with knowledge about a particular location, jump in and ask questions. If another participant has lived experience, I guarantee they’ll be pleased to tell you more than you ever wanted to know about your location of interest.
As you get more granular about the details of your trip, use Google Earth to visualize the location.
When looking to pinpoint potential parking and put-in locations, I like to us the GoPaddling app. It’s free and a useful resource to help visualize the on-land parameters of your trip. Download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
When kayaking solo, it’s prudent to do a little bit of extra work and be a little more prepared than you might with a group. After all, it’s just you.
What is a float plan and how do you make one?
A float plan (also called a trip or rescue plan) is a reference that states important information related to your solo kayak trip.
Among the important details of a float plan are: 1. Information about your boat and your gear (including if you have signalling flares), 2. Your expected route, 3. The timing of your voyage, 4. How to contact you mid-trip, 5. Who to contact if you’re unresponsive/late.
The float plan needs to be given to someone. Not just anyone mind you, but someone who cares about you enough to send authorities out to look for you, if you’re not responsive.
If you’re late returning from your adventure, this person will contact the Emergency Search & Rescue Agency with the accompanying details of your float plan. This results in someone going out to look for you – likely in a vehicle with a big motor.
A float plan is a non-negotiable must. Especially when kayaking solo.
What gear should I pack for a solo paddling trek?
Pack all the gear that you would bring on any other kayaking trip, silly.
The difference is that you have to pack and carry all of your gear. There is no sharing of burdens. No yoke to strap across the backs of many paddlers.
As I continue to reiterate, it’s all you, amigo.
If your plan is to solo a multi-day expedition, I wrote an article entitled How to Pack Your Kayak for an Expedition.
Rather than spend hours discussing how many bandages to keep in your safety kit, let’s hit the higher-level points.
Wear the right personal floation device (PFD)
You are all alone. A Type I PFD provides the most floatation. If, heaven forbid, you wind up unconscious and floating around like a buoy, a Type I PFD will keep your face above water, even in rough and stormy situations.
Dress for immersion
Hopefully you don’t capsize your kayak. It’s almost never the plan, however it’s almost always possible.
With this in mind, you’ll need the right clothing. If you are paddling in all but the hottest of climates, then a wetsuit is appropriate attire.
A wetsuit is made of rubber neoprene. It fits tight to your skin and is designed to keep you warm however, it isn’t waterproof.
Let me be clear, if your solo kayak trip will take you to the Florida Everglades, then you probably won’t need a wetsuit. However, any location where the body of water is large or fast moving is best handled by a wetsuit.
Planning on kayaking further north? Don’t like to get wet? Consider a drysuit. On their own they’re not warm because they’re not insulated. They are however, waterproof. Put one on over your neoprene if you expect to be in ‘splashy’ situations.
The important principle is that you need to have sufficient clothing to keep you warm, even when wet.
What can you use to communicate with everyone you left at home? (Assuming that you want to. You did take off on them to kayak, after all!)
A lot of places that you choose to paddle have cellular phone reception. You can simply use your phone to communicate with the rest of the world, if you choose.
Remember that batteries drain more rapidly in cold climates. If that’s where you plan to be, then bring extra batteries.
I use a SPOT Satellite Messenger when voyaging deeper into the unknown. SPOT is a GPS tracking device. It uses the Globalstar satellite network to allow for GPS tracking and text messaging.
(The Amazon affiliate link above is one for which I’m unapologetic. This little contraption has saved my bacon more than once. It’s a must-have.)
The latest iteration has added two-way satellite messaging, navigational capabilities, social media connectivity and direct communication to emergency services.
With the exception of the North and South Poles and some areas of the Pacific, the SPOT network covers the majority of the planet.
The device costs $250-$400 and the subscription is $20-$30 per month, depending on how safe you actually want to be.
Keep your communication device attached to your body. Regardless of the communication device that you use, keep it on your person in the boat. Use a waterproof case or even a Ziploc baggie (if desperate) and secure it in the pocket of your PFD.
If your kayak capsizes and floats away, you want your means of communication to be attached to your body and not your disappearing kayak.
Other equipment to keep within reach while paddling
Helmet. If your voyage will take you anywhere that water moves, then a helmet, on your head (not under the bungees) is the safest way to paddle.
Spare paddle. Paddling with your hands sucks. Hard. Pack a knock-down paddle and stow it in an accessible spot in your boat.
Even if you use a paddle leash (hopefully attached to your boat and not your body), an extra paddle is the more prudent way to keep yourself safe while kayaking solo. The paddle leash might keep your paddle from getting lost however, it won’t keep it from breaking.
Bilge pump. If your boat springs a leak, or it flips over completely, you need to be able to expel the water. Keep a kayak bilge pump attached to your boat under the bungee straps. I wrote a popular article on how to use a kayak bilge pump here.
First aid kit. You are your own doctor, now. Bandages and wraps are important. Also, don’t forget medication, including Advil, Benadryl and Pepto Bismal.
Repair kit. Bring things to fix holes. Goretex patches, epoxy paste, Aquaseal, Duct tape, a utility tool and screwdriver.
Food and water. Bring more than enough. Keep your snacks close by in the kayak. Stow water in the middle of the kayak, for balance. Pack dry food in dry sacks. Locate fruits and veggies below the waterline and close to the hull to keep slightly cooler.
If you pack way too much water, your boat could become unbalanced (though neutrally buoyant, which is interesting). Bring bleach and/or iodine pills or some other water purifying mechanism to manufacture potable water.
Spray skirt and secure hatches. When kayaking solo, I like to prepare for the worst. What is the worst thing that can happen in a kayak (apart from, you know… the very worst)? To me, capsizing my kayak and losing all my gear is about as bad as it gets.
I like to make sure I’m prepared for this worst case scenario by ensuring that my bulkhead hatches are securely fastened, my neoprene sprayskirt is up for the job, and that I’m able to self-rescue, if required.
How do you transport your kayak on a solo voyage?
A lot depends on where your adventure takes you.
If your put-in and take-out location is the same, then the only real transport challenge is from your vehicle to the water.
Whether you paddle an inflatable or hardshell kayak, the principle of not dragging your boat from the vehicle to the water is the same.
Both inflatable and hardshell kayaks can be toted on your shoulder from vehicle to water. However, for any given size, hardshell kayaks are usually heavier than inflatable ones.
If your put-in location is different than your take-out spot, a little more organization is required.
In an article on How to Return to Your Car When Kayaking Alone, I wrote about six different strategies to return to your car when kayaking alone. They are: 1. Bicycle method, 2. Upstream/Downstream method, 3. Benevolent chauffeur method, 4. Shuttle-for-Pay method, 5. Mixed self-propulsion method, 6. Hitchhike method.
Consider these six alternatives when strategizing how to return to your car by yourself, on a river adventure.
Also consider how to avoid kayak theft when executing any one of these strategies by locking up your boat effectively.
Staying within your abilities while kayaking solo
When planning your trip, pay attention to not bite off more than you can chew.
How far can you actually paddle in a day?
I wrote an article about this here. If you are reasonably physically fit, you can expect to paddle a 16’ kayak with gear about 3.1 miles per hour. Over a five-hour period, you should be able to cover about 15 miles.
Of course physicality, boat and paddling conditions all come in to play. However, this should give you a frame of reference when planning distances to be covered.
Be honest with yourself and err on the side of conservatism. Also remember that late-day fatigue reduces the effectiveness of your paddling.
Rivers and sea waves.
Similarly, if your voyage takes you onto river rapids or sea waves, be conservative about not only what you can handle on your own, but what risks you are willing to assume because you are on your own.
Kayakers capsize ALL THE TIME in rough water.
Don’t kayak solo until you can self-rescue confidently
I wrote an article called 3 (Very Different) Ways to Get Back In a Kayak After Falling Out.
There is no consensus about how to re-enter your kayak after falling out. You just need to find a technique that is appropriate for your boat, the prevailing conditions and your ability to execute.
In this article, I go through three techniques to consider which I lovingly named: 1. Brute Force, 2. Reverse PaddleGirl, 3. Itchy Bum Stern Straddle. I have benefited from familiarizing myself with these different re-entry techniques. I feel safer knowing that I can effectively perform all of them. They’re not complicated, they just take a little practice.
Parting Thoughts.
I believe that the personal quiet of a solo kayak adventure is worth the inherent risks you have to assume to get it.
However, proper planning and effective execution go a long way towards mitigating those risks.
Stay safe!