#1 Be Flexible with Your Plans

Flexibility is key when planning a kayak camping trip and avoiding fatal kayaking mistakes. Forcing a trip in poor conditions—like high winds or extreme river levels—can lead to safety risks and frustration. Build buffer days into your schedule and always have a backup plan or alternate route in case weather or water conditions don’t cooperate.

#2 Bring a Satellite Communication Device

For kayak camping trips, reliable communication is essential. A recent development is the ability to use some cell phones for satellite communication when you can't get a cell signal. I recently tested this feature and was surprised how well it worked on my iPhone 14 in the middle of nowhere. I was able to reliably send and receive texts. That being said, there are still some real benefits to bringing a dedicated satellite communicator like the Zoleo. In particular, it has MUCH better battery life than a cell phone, and it provides the option to do more than texting. In particular, you can check weather forecasts, and you can leave a bread crumb trail, which allows people to follow your progress. With a pauseable $20/month plan and a $200 device cost, a dedicated satellite communicator is a relatively affordable safety tool for remote adventures.

#3 Practice Packing Your Kayak

Packing a kayak is like solving a puzzle—tight hatches mean your gear needs to be divided into multiple dry bags, often in varying sizes to fit the limited space. Practice packing at home before your trip to avoid frustration at the launch.

When loading, keep heavy items low and centered to maintain stability and control. Save the ends of the kayak or on-deck space for lighter, bulkier items like sleeping bags or clothes. Proper packing makes a big difference on multi-day kayak camping trips.

#3 – Part 2: Carry a Lightweight Mesh Bag

Because you'll be breaking down all your gear into small dry bags, carrying them around can be a hassle. A super lightweight mesh bag or backpack is a game-changer.

This simple addition allows you to easily consolidate multiple dry bags and smaller items into one manageable load. This is especially useful when dealing with portages, or simply moving your gear from the water's edge to your campsite. It makes the tedious task of moving gear much more efficient.

#4 Create and Use a Kayak Camping Pack List

A solid packing list is key to avoiding forgotten gear. Keep it somewhere easy to access—an app like Evernote works well—and update it regularly. Before each trip, use it to check off essentials. During and after your trip, note what you didn’t use, what you missed, or what needs replacing. Creating separate lists for different kinds of trips helps too. The more you refine your list(s), the smoother your kayak camping adventures will be.

#5 Load Your Kayak in (or Very Close to) the Water

It's tempting to load your kayak on shore, especially on a cold morning, to avoid getting your feet wet. However, a fully loaded kayak is incredibly heavy and difficult to move, and dragging it across land can cause damage, particularly to thermoformed or composite kayaks.

#6 Pull Your Kayak Up High Enough

Regardless of whether you're on a river, lake, or the ocean, water levels can change. Always pull your kayak up far enough on the bank so it won't get swept away by rising water.

Waking up in the middle of the night wondering if your kayak has floated away is a terrible feeling. It's far better to overcompensate and drag your kayak further up the bank than you think you need to. If possible, tie it off to a tree for extra security and peace of mind.

#7 Do Refresher Courses

Just like first aid and CPR certifications require refreshers, it's beneficial to revisit your paddling and safety skills. In the backcountry, knowing what to do in a tricky situation can be critical.

Consider taking an actual paddling course, or explore online resources. The ACA offers a free online safety course, and onlinekayaking.com and onlinewhitewater.com provide more in-depth, well-produced courses (though not free).

#8 Quick Kayak Camping Gear Tips

• Smaller Paddle Blades: For long days of flatwater paddling, a paddle with smaller blades or a Greenland paddle can reduce strain on your shoulders and body. Read an article about kayak paddles sizing and length.
• Folding Saw vs. Axe: A good folding saw is generally safer, lighter, and more effective for cutting firewood than an axe, which can be dangerous to swing around on a trip.

• Try a Hammock: Hammocks pack down into smaller, more manageable pieces, making them easier to fit in a kayak than a tent. They can also be very comfortable for sleeping, and are easier on the back to get into and out of. I recently tested the Haven XL Tent Hammock, which is designed to provide a flat sleeping position, and I was highly impressed.

#9 Double-Check the Weather (Especially Wind)

During your kayak camping trip, regularly check the weather—not just before heading out, but throughout the day. While temperature and rain affect comfort, wind has the biggest impact on safety and paddling ability. Strong winds can quickly turn calm water dangerous or make progress nearly impossible. Always monitor the forecast a few hours ahead to make smart decisions, especially when paddling stretches with limited landing options.

#10 Embrace Dry Bags for Kayak Camping

Even if your kayak has watertight hatches, they’re not fully waterproof—anything that absolutely needs to stay dry should go in a dry bag. Opt for heavy-duty dry bags over ultralight ones, as they’re less likely to be compromised. While they may be a bit heavier, the added durability is worth it for multi-day kayak camping trips.

It’s also better to use several smaller dry bags instead of a few large ones. A mix of 5, 10, 15, and 25-liter bags usually covers all your needs, with larger ones ideal for storing lightweight, bulky items like sleeping bags or clothing that can be strapped to your deck if needed.

With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to planning and enjoying a fantastic multi-day kayaking adventure. Check out my top gear picks he wishes he’d purchased sooner. I give advice about gear additions to consider for your next kayak camping trip.

The post Top 10 Tips for Kayak Camping appeared first on Hazeadventure.

There's no concrete answer to find here, just a list of pros and cons to sort through, while also incorporating your own personal preferences. But with that said, I think by breaking down the main distinctions, and sharing my own opinions, other paddlers can get a head start on the matter. 

For this gear comparison, I actually brought both types of paddles with me on a 4-day canoe trip through my favorite region: Killarney Provincial Park. For the first 2 days, I used the Bending Branches Catalyst (straight)  and the last 2 days I went with the Java (bent). 

Bent Shaft Canoe Paddle

The idea with a bent shaft canoe paddle is that it makes the forward stroke more efficient. If you've never used a paddle like this before, then your first instinct may be to scoop the water, but in actuality, the bend is meant to point away from you.

The reason for this is that the angle of the blade stays more vertical during the back half of the stroke, compared to the same motion with a straight shaft paddle. In the latter case, once the blade passes the knee, it starts to pull up (i.e. no longer just propelling the canoe forward). This, in turn, pulls your boat down; creating drag.

Bent shaft canoe paddles better?

In canoes and kayaks alike, bent shaft paddles lead to more powerful and efficient forward strokes, but this doesn't mean they are better across the board. Straight shaft paddles are an all-purpose tool.

They still effectively propel the boat forward, and for all other strokes, straight shaft paddles are more intuitive to use. Plus, it doesn't matter which side you catch the water with – it's the exact same. Whereas sometimes I'll catch paddlers getting a little twisted up with the orientation of a bent shaft. 

Straight shaft paddles are also the way to go in rougher conditions. While pounding through some whitewater, it's helpful to have a paddle that works the same from either side, since you'll be taking a lot of back strokes while also trying to charge ahead (as well as draw strokes, etc.). Conversely, if you expect long days of paddling across calm waters, that's where the argument in favor of a bent shaft really comes into play. 

After doing my extended side-by-side comparison, I realized that I prefer the straight shaft paddle (the Catalyst). Aside from it simply being more comfortable (for me anyway), I also appreciate having added dexterity.

Because of my background as a whitewater kayaker, I like to mix things up when I'm out there. I'm not solely concerned with finding the most-efficient path forward. I'm sure that over time I would become more intrigued with a bent shaft (the Java), but as it stands, I like a straight shaft canoe paddle better. 

Side note on length of canoe paddles

A straight shaft canoe paddle should be about 4-inches longer than a bent one. For example, I'm 6-foot-2 (and long in the arms), and I used a 58-inch straight paddle, but a 54-inch bent. 

Canoe and Canoe Paddle Rentals in Killarney Provincial Park

Killarney Outfitters has an abundance of canoes and canoe paddles on hand to rent (including the Swift Prospector that I used) and provide guided services to make the trip possible for paddlers of any skill level. For more information, contact Killarney Outfitters HERE.

That's my hot take on this canoeist's dilemma. I hope this helps steer you in the right direction. For more content on everything paddling-related, including my Paddle Tales episodes in Killarney (and beyond!), check out PaddleTV and subscribe to the Hazeadventure.com newsletter for regular updates. 

Canoe: Swift Prospector 17
Canoe paddles:   Bending Branches Catalyst (straight) & Bending Branches Java 11
PFD:  NRS Zen PFD
Paddling Top:  NRS Silkweight shirt
Paddling Shorts:  NRS Lolo Pants

The post Canoe Paddle: Bent Shaft Canoe Paddle vs Straight Shaft appeared first on Hazeadventure.

So today I want to give you a sample meal plan for a 5-day canoe camping trip with multiple portages. My advice for planning meals on a canoe trip could be something that you can use as a baseline reference. Adjust it and personalize it to make your canoe trip a success. 

Packing food for an extended canoe camping trip

Before you get underway, there are a few environmental factors that will dictate how you should pack for a canoe camping trip. For example, does your route entail a lot of portages or is it mostly long paddles between campsites?

One of the benefits of a canoe trip over a kayak or a backpacking adventure is that you can chuck in a lot of bulky and bonus items. However, if you need to repeatedly lug all of that overland, then that prior advantage becomes more of a nuisance.

Multiple portages means lighter foods

So if your trip does involve multiple portages, I recommend sticking with lighter, more packable foods. If you're set up to predominantly paddle, then go nuts with those luxury foods and bonus treats. 

Weather is important for food planning

Another environmental factor to consider when canoe camping (as best as you can in advance) is the weather. Namely, how hot will it be? This will determine the shelf-life of different foods. If it's a scorching hot summer trip, then maybe scale back on the packaged meats. But if it's a cooler area or time of year, then you can get away with a lot more.

As a general rule, I like to pack more fresh foods for the first 2 days, and then I'll switch over to pre-packaged and dehydrated stuff, just to be on the safe side. 

Calories you burn on a multi-day canoe trip

And a final thing to consider is how many calories you and your crew expect to burn. Is this a poke along and smell the roses kind of affair, or is it an ambitious, cover a lot of ground type deal?

In the case of my reference 5-day canoe trip, my buddy and I planned to do a lot of hard paddling, in cold and windy conditions, while also banging out several challenging portages.

4000 calories a day per person

Taking all of this into consideration, we determined that we would need about 4,000 calories per day per person. 

What should I eat on a canoe camping trip?

Now that we've covered some general considerations, let's dive into a 5-day sample meal plan. For this trip, our campsites all included firepits with those built-in grill grates, and so we planned to do a lot of our cooking over open flame (particularly in the evening). But we also packed lots of fuel for our classic camping stoves. 

Meal Plan for Canoe Camping Day 1

Breakfast: Consumed on shore before pushing off

Lunch: Pre-made sandwiches, chips, and a piece of fruit (classic school lunch)

Dinner: 4 frozen/wrapped steaks, baked potatoes, and mushrooms 

Meal Plan for Canoe Camping Day 2

Breakfast: Bacon (wrapped in vinegar-soaked cheesecloth for preservation purposes), eggs (see note below), and fresh bread

Lunch: “Trail lunch” for anticipated portages (i.e. trail mix, cheese/crackers, granola bars, beef jerky, peanut butter/jam).

Dinner: Frozen beef chili sealed in Ziploc bags and wrapped in newspaper

Meal Plan for Canoe Camping Day 3

Breakfast: Instant oatmeal w/ dried fruit (raisins, blueberries, banana chips, etc.)

Lunch: Salami and cheese tortilla wraps (meat and cheese also wrapped in vinegar-soaked cheesecloth) + celery/carrots

Dinner: Dehydrated mac and cheese

Note: Although many camping meals say they are good for 2 people, in reality, after a day of hard paddling or trekking, most people seem to like a full package to themselves. 

Meal Plan for Canoe Camping Day 4 

Breakfast: Instant oatmeal w/ dried fruit

Lunch:  Salami and cheese but this time on pita bread rather than tortillas + celery/carrots

Dinner: Dehydrated pad thai

Meal Plan for Canoe Camping Day 5 

Breakfast: Instant oatmeal w/ dried fruit 

Lunch: Same as day 4

Dinner: Dehydrated meal (whatever flavor is left after the group picks them over for 3 nights)

Extra Snacks throughout the trip: 

Trail mix, cookies, brownies, fresh fruit (for the first few days), pepperettes, popcorn, tea/coffee

Can you bring eggs on a canoe trip?

You may have noticed my inclusion of eggs in the meal plan and wondered if that's ok to do. Eggs are a great source of protein, and they're super easy to cook up, so I love bringing them along.

The trick is keeping them protected, which can be done by getting one of those hard plastic egg cartons that you can find in any home/kitchen section of a big box store.

Our friends at Killarney Outfitters also blanched our eggs in advance, meaning they briefly dropped them in boiling water in order to kill all the bacteria on the shells. This helps extend the shelflife out in the wild. 

Shout out to Killarney Outfitters! 

All of these tasty and strategically planned meals during our canoe camping trip were laid out for us by Killarney Outfitters. I love working with them anytime I'm in the area, and since Killarney Provincial Park is one of my favorite places to paddle, we've gotten to know each other rather well over the years. They are so well-stocked and familiar with the area that you can essentially just show up with a toothbrush and a change of underwear, and they'll fix you up with the rest. 

I hope all this talk of camping food has you chomping at the bit for your next canoe trip. Each person and each excursion is a little different, but this should give you some idea of what to pack, and what to skip over. For more paddling tips, gear reviews, and to share in the adventures, make sure to follow along with PaddleTV and subscribe to the Hazeadventure newsletter. 

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