Beginners Guide to Whitewater Kayaking Gear

by Simon Coward

Note:  Please watch video (above) first as it covers all the gear in detail with action shots.  Text below is to outline approximate pricing etc.

Thanks so much for checking out the Aquabatics Calgary Beginners Guide to Whitewater Kayaking Gear, in this video and blog post we hope to cover all the gear you need, might want and some luxury/specific items you may end up looking into if you really progress in the sport.  If at any point you have any questions or comments on the video or post please don’t hesitate to contact us by You Tube comment or email.

This text portion is to outline the three categories identified in the video (Needs | Wants | Luxuries), what they contain and price ranges based on differing levels of equipment.  We hope this helps aspiring whitewater paddlers understand the gear out there and how much to budget for.

Please note, this is just an intro to everything involved, we would love to discuss the details with you further if you have questions.  We have included a range of pricing to give you an idea of ‘good – better – best’, all equipment is super high quality and produced with whitewater kayaking in mind.

Please note:  All prices and products are a guideline only.  Prices change year to year based on many factors, as do models and availability

PART 1 – NEEDS (0:00 to 4:08 on video)

1. Kayaks: $900 - $1300
2. Paddles: $149.95 - $564.95
   • Aquabound Shred Hybrid: $149.95
   • Werner Sherpa Glass Straight Shaft: $314.95
   • Werner Shogun Carbon Core Bent Shaft: $564.95
3. PFD: $94.95 - $314.95
   • NRS Vapor: $94.95
   • Kokatat Maximus: $199.95
   • Astral Green Jacket: $314.95
4. Helmets: $89.95 - $399.95
   • Predator Shiznet: $89.95
   • Sweet Wanderer: $179.95
   • Sweet Rocker: $239.95
   • Sweet Rocker Full Face: $399.95
5. Spray Skirt: $139.95 - $289.95
   • Snap Dragon River Trek (Bungee): $139.95
   • Snap Dragon EXP Whitewater Reinforced (Bungee): $159.95
   • IR Royale (Rand): $289.95
6. Float Bags: $69.95 - $129.95
   • NRS Split Stern Nylon Float Bags (Pair): $69.95
   • Watershed Futa Stowfloat (Single): $129.95
7. Whistles: $5.95

Total (Range): 

1. Entry Level: $1450.70
   • Discount Kayak | Shred Hybrid Paddle | Vapor PFD | Plastic Helmet | River Trek Skirt | Split Stern Float Bags
2. Mid Level: $2014.75
   • Full price Kayak | Sherpa Glass Paddle | Maximus PFD | Wanderer Helmet | Reinforced Skirt | Split Stern Float Bags
3. Top Range: $3005.70
   • Full Price Kayak | Shogun Paddle | Greenjacket PFD | Rocker Full Face | Royale Skirt | Futa Stow Float

PART 2 – WANTS (4:09 to 6:18 on video)

Note:  If you live in a cold climate or somewhere with Glacier fed/cold water rivers then these ‘wants’ will be an important part of your upfront budget as you really do need a variation of the gear below to start the sport safely

1. Wetsuit: $119.95 - $229.95
   • NRS 2.0 (mm) Farmer John/Jane: $119.95
   • NRS 3.0 (mm) Ultra John/Jane: $229.95
2. Baselayers: $49.95 – $169.00
   • IR Thickskin Pant: $49.95
   • Level Six Hot Fuzz Long Sleeve Top: $74.95
   • Level Six Hot Fuzz Union Suit: $89.95
   • Kokatat Power Dry Liner: $169.00
3. Drytops: $149.95 - $649.95
   • IR Zephyr Splashtop: $149.95
   • Kokatat Hydrus Stoke Drytop: $275.00
   • Kokatat Rogue Drytop: $455.00
   • Sweet Supernova Drytop: $649.95
4. Drysuits: $999.95 - $1449.00
   • IR 7 Figure Drysuit: $999.95
   • Kokatat Idol Drysuit (Drytop and Drysuit in One!): $1299.00
   • Sweet Intergalactic Drysuit: $1449.00
5. Footwear: $34.95 - $149.95
   • NRS Hydroskin Socks: $34.95
   • NRS Paddling Wetshoes: $64.95
   • Astral Rassler Creek Shoe: $149.95
6. Gloves/Mitts/Pogies: $57.95 - $64.95
   • NRS Maverick Gloves (Best Feel): $64.95
   • NRS Toaster Mitts (Warmest): $64.95
   • NRS Hot Mambas (Pogies): $57.95

Total (Range): 

1. Entry Level: $412.75
   • Wetsuit | Base Layer | Splash Top | Neoprene Socks | Hot Mambas
2. Mid Level: $864.80 
   • High end Wetsuit | Base Layer | Rogue Dr Top | Paddling Wetshoes | Maverick Gloves
3. Top Range: $1682.90
   • Onesie Base Layer | Idol Drysuit | Rassler Shoes | Maverick Gloves

PART 3 – LUXURIES | SAFETY AND OTHER GOODIES (6:19 – 8:23 on video)

1. Throw Bags: $69.95 - $107.95
   • NRS Compact Rescue Throwbag: $69.95
   • North Water Pro Throw Line Spectra: $107.95
2. Knives: $39.95 - $59.95
   • Gerber River Shorty: $39.95
   • NRS Co-Pilot: $59.95
3. Dry Bags: $14.95 - $29.95
   • Sea Line Storm Sack 5 Liter (Size for lunch only): $14.95
   • Seal Line Baja Bag 10 Liter (Size for lunch and some small extra layers): $23.95
   • Seal Line Black Canyon Drybag 20 Liter (Size for full day trips amount of gear): $29.95
4. Pin Kit: $79.95 - $199.95
5. First Aid Kit: $34.95 - $100.00
6. Breakdown Paddles: $179.95 - $375.00
   • Aquabound Shred 4 Piece Fibreglass: $179.95
   • Wener Sherpa 4 Piece Glass: $375.00

Total (Range): 

1. Entry Level (Suitable for most paddlers): $419.70
   • Compact Throw Bag | Gerber Knife | Storm Sack 5L | Pin Kit | Basic 1^st Aid Kit | Aquabound Shred Breakdown
2. Top Range (Only necessary for those tackling really remote challenging rivers): $872.80
   • Spectra Throw Bag | Co-Pilot Knife | Black Canyon Dry Bag 20L | Pin Kit | 1^st Aid Kit | Werner Breakdown Paddle

This is just an outline of everything, you can often pick up great items on clearance or used items that could fit the bill.  We would love to chat with you further about the gear required and to answer any questions that you have.

Shop Whitewater Kayak Gear

Related Articles

Whitewater Kayak Paddle Complete Buying Guide

Cheers for checking this out and please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@aquabatics.com or 1-877-440-9283 for more details.

www.aquabaticscalgary.com