Kayaking - to be aware of
Paddling is largely about the wind, both wind strength and wind direction, regarding how difficult and heavy it becomes. Apps with weather rarely show right when it comes to wind and especially not several days in advance. If you want to see how the wind is in our area, you can look at the website "Utpost Hållö Weather": Weather | Utpost Hållö (utposthallo.se) for current information regarding wind strength and wind direction. The kayak center is more protected than Hållö, but it gives a clue about the wind.
Below you see some guidelines to start from when it comes to wind and kayaking.
- 1-3 m/s: Light breeze- Beginners
- 4-6 m/s: Gentle breeze - Beginners
- 7-9 m / s: Moderate breeze - Beginners in protected water & average paddlers
- 10-12 m/s: Fresh breeze - Moderate paddler in protected water & experienced paddlers
- 13- m/s: Strong breeze - Not recommended
Oystercatchers, stingrays & black rocks
At the west coast, there are three things to think about a little extra when you are out kayaking and going ashore.
- Ospreys/Oystercatchers : White, hard, volcano-like and very sharp little animals sitting on rocks, mountains and piers at the water's edge. These should be avoided! If you approach them, they cut deep wounds in the skin and scratch the kayak underneath. Bathing shoes can be a tip!
- Jellyfish : Available in red and blue / purple. If you access the threads, it gives a stinging and sometimes a bit aching feeling where you have burned yourself. The poison itself is not dangerous normally, but it can ruin a wonderful paddle trip, so take a look before you go ashore or swim so you do not get burned. The common jellyfish is more transparent and completely harmless.
- Black rocks : In the ripple zone on rocks and cliffs you will often find a black area that is very slippery . It consists of blue-green algae of the genus Calothrix. When these get wet, they become like soap. It is easy to slip and then risk spraining or hitting yourself. So the tip is not to take a chance but to completely avoid all black rocks.
Packing list - Tips on what to wear & what to bring!
What you want to take with you when kayaking is of course a bit individual, but below are tips on good things to wear and take with you on our trips. Life jackets are mandatory for paddling with us and are included in all types of rentals, activities & courses.
What to wear
- Neat shoes e.g. bathing shoes, sandals, sneakers (shoes usually get wet)
- Comfortable clothes that are easy to move in e.g. workout clothes
- Wind and rainproof jacket
- Sun protection factor
- Cap / sunglasses
- Perhaps gloves to avoid blisters
Extra: When paddling autumn/winter/spring
- Wet suit or dry suit
- Ullunderställ – ull är ett fantastiskt material som vi rekommenderar varmt 🙂
- Neoprene gloves + possibly wind protection (pads) on the paddle if the gloves are thin
- Neoprene shoes - nice to wear wool socks in the dry suit and the shoes on top of everything
- Hat
Packing list - Day trip
- Fully charged mobile phone to make calls
- Mobile or camera to take photos and film
- Extra clothing
- Coffee / lunch, coffee / tea etc.
- Water bottle
- Warming garments (jacket) to wear during coffee / lunch break
- Swimwear & towel
- Patches in case of an accident
Packing list - Multi-Day trip
Ska man vara borta över natten och bo i tält så är det lite fler saker att tänka på att ta med. Här är ett förslag på vad som kan vara bra att ha med sig. Saknar ni tält men skulle vilja testa. Då finns det ”tält-paket” att hyra hos oss. Kika i webbshopen för mer info 🙂
- Tent
- Sleeping pad - preferably insulated but also goes with only air in summer
- Sleeping bag
- Outdoor kitchen e.g. Trangiakök
- Extra gas for outdoor kitchen
- Cutting board - to chop and serve on
- Matches or fire lighters
- Oil for possible frying
- Cooking utensils: ladle, pasta ladle, spatula, knife, butter knife, corkscrew / bottle opener, kitchen paper, garbage bag
- Dishwashing gear: dish brush, dishwashing liquid (biodegradable), dishcloth, dish towel
- Plate set: flat plate, bowl / deep plate, spoon, fork, knife and mug
- Thermos
- Cooling bag with cooling lamps (or better to plan food that should not be cooled)
- Spices: salt, pepper etc.
- Food: preferably food that does not need to be cooled e.g. potatoes, onions, pasta, pesto, vegetables, bread, tub cheese, Kalle's caviar, preserves, coffee, etc.
- Fresh water 1.5-2l / participant (then replenish gradually in guest harbors) - packed in the packing hatch
- 0.5-1l Water bottle easily accessible in the kayak
- Snack mix to have in the kayak e.g. salty nuts mixed with sweets
- Thermocell mosquito repellent incl. refill (nice when sitting by the water on a quiet evening)
- Ev. lampa till tältet – finns LED lampor som laddas upp innan avfärd med inbyggd myggjagare och krok för upphängning 😉
- Fully charged mobile phone to make calls
- Powerbank for mobile
- Possible camera or other mobile to take photos or film
- Ev. liten högtalare om vattenskvalp, måsarnas skrik och sus från skogen inte räcker 😉
- Extra clothes
- Warm jacket preferably down (works as a pillow at night)
- Rainproof clothes
- Extra shoes, good if the paddle shoes get wet
- Comfortable clothes to wear at the end of the day and possibly sleeping in, rag socks or wool socks can be nice to have
- Sun protection factor
- Hairbrush and toothbrush incl. toothpaste
- Toalettpapper + spade för att gräva ner alt. tändstickor för bränna pappret (ej sommartid)
- Towel
- Swimwear
- Soap for salt water and ecologically degradable
- Patches & first aid kit incl. elastic wrap, stripes, patches, abrasion patches, Alvedon, Mosquito spray etc.
- Charts for the entire route - technology such as apps, GPS can be a support but do not rely on these for navigation
- Perhaps compass if you are going to cross larger water areas
- Line / tow line, also good for mooring
- Extra paddle - you can borrow this from us when you rent over several days
- Perhaps float if paddling alone - try to avoid paddling alone, better to be at least 2 persons due to security.
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