Kit to wear while paddling
• Foot wear means an old pair of takkies or aqua shoes. NOTE: strops, shoes with ankle straps and rubber booties are not suitable – shoes must be of the closed in type.
• 1x pair of comfortable shorts/costume. Wear them while training to make sure they do not chafe.
• 1 x short sleeve t-shirt or short sleeve rash vest. If your skin is sensitive to the sun, I suggest a long sleeve rash vest.
• If you bringing sunglasses make sure they have a cord attached to your hat or shirt. I do not recommend a pair of expensive glasses as there is a good chance they will break or get lost.
• 1
x wide brimmed hat or a peak hat. NOTE: There is no shade on the ocean!
• Lifejacket and paddle. Let me know if you need to borrow any of these items. I have special bags for the paddles which are accepted by the airlines. Therefore I need to collect as many of your paddles as possible before we arrive at the airport.
• Enough water-proof sun protection/ block out/after-sun/lip ice for 5 days in the sun. Note: There is no shade on the ocean!
Non-paddling equipment – (will be strapped onto the deck)
• 1 roll- up mat and a thin inflatable mattress.
• Scuba mask (optional). Fins to be shared as space on the kayak’s deck is limited.
• Fishing rod and tackle – (optional). The boats are designed to hold rods and fish while you paddling. Note: Fishing from the boats has not been successful in the past. It would be preferable that this equipment is shared.
• 3 man tents will be provided.
• 1 x thin lightweight wind breaker. Should be able to fold up into your pocket.
Kit to wear after each day’s paddle
• 1 x pair of shorts
• 1 x short sleeve t-shirt
• 1 x pair longs eg; track suit bottom to sleep in
• 1 x long sleeve t-shirt to sleep in
• 1 x pair slops/strops
• under wear
• There is not enough space for a sleeping bag and it is also too hot to use one. I suggest either a sleeping bag “inner” or a sarong.
• toiletries – comb/brush + bio degradable soap + tooth brush + small tube of tooth paste + small bio degradable shampoo – 1 x half a toilet roll in zip lock bag
• head torch with new batteries ( no need for extra batteries) + metal cup, knife, fork, spoon + tea spoon
• 1 x small towel
• cell phone/camera is optional – you must provide it’s own dry bag.. I will be in daily contact with parents in SA.
• Tabard
• Motion sickness tablets. 5 x Cinnarizine pills work well.
• 5x sachets – rehydrate that have a probiotic. These are essential.
• Arnica and a packet of wet wipes + matches in a zip lock pkt
• Small pillow or an inflatable one.
• Food packet number 1 will be provided before you leave SA
Travel Day – Wear whatever is comfortable while flying to Mauritius.
Preparation Day – Wear any clothes that are cool as we will spend the day preparing the kayaks and equipment and walking around the markets and shops in Grand Bay. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Return Day – Wear whatever is comfortable while flying from Mauritius to SA.
The ideal packing arrangement is as follows.
One large bag in which you pack everything listed in red on this list. A much smaller bag in which you pack everything listed in yellow. This bag will be collected by a friend when we arrive at the airport in Mauritius. He keeps your bag and gives it to you at the half way mark of our paddle where you can exchange the clothes you have worn for the first 5 days paddling for clean ones to be worn for the last 5 days ie; the clothes in the smaller bag.
ALL SUITCASES AND BAGS PACKED WITH ITEMS LISTED IN RED REMAIN WITH OUR HOST WHILE YOU ARE PADDLING. THEY WILL BE COLLECTED ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PADDLE
NOTE: IN EACH BAG YOU MUST ALLOW SPACE FOR A MEDIUM SIZE “CHECKERS “PACKET OF FOOD WHICH EVERYONE WILL RECEIVE BEFORE WE LEAVE SA.
Leisure Day
• 1x pair shorts to wear while paddling
• 1 x short sleeve t-shirt or short or L/sleeve rash vest
• water-proof sun protection/ block out/after-sun/lip ice for 5 days in the sun
• 1 x pair of shorts + 1 x short sleeve t-shirt
• 1 x
pair longs eg; track suit bottom to sleep in
• 1 x long sleeve t-shirt to sleep in + under wear
• bio degradable soap + small tube of tooth paste + small bio degradable shampoo
• 1 x toilet roll in zip lock bag
• 1 x small towel + small amount of bio degradable washing powder
• Motion sickness tablets eg; 5 x Cinnarizine pills
• 5x sachets – rehydrate that have a probiotic
• Arnica and a packet of wet wipes
Food packet number 2 you will receive before you leave SA
Any sharp object including drinking bottles may not be packed in “hand “luggage. Each person is allowed 20 kgs + 6kgs hand luggage. Please note. Due to the nature of our trip, no one should have luggage weighing in excess of 15 kgs. If you do, you are on the wrong trip!! Also, whatever you bring, YOU have to carry for 10 days!
Having done this trip ten times, the ‘what to bring” list has been “fine-tuned” to what it is now. The most frequent comment I hear at the end of each trip is : “I added things to the “what to bring” list ….there was no space and created unnecessary hassle…. I did not need it and when I do this trip again I will only bring what is on the list. After all, I am on holiday why complicate my life with unnecessary stuff”???
If you feel you need to bring something that is essential to you then contact me first before adding to the “What to bring” list.