An independent guide to active leisure by the water. We sell and rent nothing and run no tours or races; not affiliated with the former website on this domain. If you are in danger on the water or on the ice, call 112 (or your local emergency number).
Gear
The packing list for a day by the water is shorter than you might think, but every item on it has to work. We explain what each item is for and what to look for when choosing it — with no brands, models or rankings.
A life jacket left in the car will not save you. Good gear is gear you actually wear and take with you.
How this section works: it covers items that make time by the water safer and more comfortable. We do not compare manufacturers, recommend where to buy or publish reviews.
Without these items, it is not worth going out in a kayak, on a SUP or swimming far from shore.
A life jacket keeps you afloat if you are tired, cold or hurt yourself in a fall. It should fit snugly, not ride up over your head when you raise your arms, and not get in the way of paddling.
Tip: Try the jacket on over the clothes you will wear on the water and ask someone to pull it up by the shoulders: if it rides up to your ears, tighten the straps.
A sturdy bag with a roll-top closure protects your things from splashes and brief submersion. For your phone, a separate waterproof pouch you can make calls through is handy.
Tip: Roll the top down several times and clip the buckle, then test the bag in the bath at home, not in the middle of a river.
A small kit for cuts, blisters and grazes, plus any personal medication you take regularly. Pack everything so it stays dry.
Tip: A first-aid kit helps with small things. For a serious injury, hypothermia or feeling unwell, call 112 (or your local emergency number) and see a doctor.
Your voice is quickly lost over water, especially in wind. The sharp sound of a whistle carries further and takes less effort.
Tip: Attach the whistle to your life jacket with a cord so it is always to hand.
By the water the weather changes faster than in town, and wind blowing across open water chills you more.
The base layer wicks away moisture, the mid layer keeps you warm and the outer layer protects against wind and spray. Layers are easy to take off and put on as the weather and your effort change.
Tip: Cotton stays cold for a long time once wet. Synthetics or wool work better for the base layer.
Water reflects sunlight, so it is easier to get sunburnt on it. A hat, sunglasses on a cord, light long-sleeved clothing and sunscreen all come in handy.
Tip: Take drinking water even on a short outing: thirst in the sun creeps up on you.
A hat, gloves and a warm spare layer in a dry bag are the minimum for a cool day. If you get wet, dry clothes help you warm up quickly.
Tip: Keep a change of clothes in the car or in a dry bag, even if you do not plan to swim.
By the water you need footwear that stays on your feet and does not slip. Light closed water shoes suit a boat or board; boots with a grippy sole suit the shore.
Tip: Do not walk barefoot in the water or on rocks: there can be sharp objects on the bottom.
In winter, your usual gear is joined by items that help you stay on your feet on the ice and get out if it gives way.
Spiked overshoes reduce the risk of slipping. They are especially useful on smooth clear ice and on slopes down to the water.
Tip: Take the cleats off before going indoors or getting into the car, so you do not slip on a smooth floor.
Two handles with sharp spikes on a cord, worn across the chest or over the shoulders. You dig them into the edge of the hole and pull yourself up to crawl out onto the ice.
Tip: Wear the picks over your clothes, not in your backpack: in cold water there is no time to search for them.
A long, strong line lets you reach someone without going right up to the hole. It is convenient to keep coiled in its own small bag.
Tip: Practise throwing the rope on shore before anything happens.
A strong, long pole helps you test the ice ahead and gives you support if it starts to crack. You can lay it across a hole to lean on.
Tip: Never test the ice by stamping on it: that is an easy way to fall through yourself.
Getting into a kayak, the paddle stroke, falling off a SUP and climbing back on, wind, weather and moving on ice.
A step-by-step guide to your first kayak or SUP outing: preparation, launching and coming back.
Answers to common questions about water, ice, gear and clothing for time by lakes and rivers.
Where and when you may swim, paddle a kayak or SUP, or go out on the ice is set by local rules for each body of water, and these rules differ by country and place. Before heading to the water, check the current requirements and the warning signs on the shore.