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Every paddler is expected to have full personal kit:

Full Personal Kit

• 1 long sleeve dry cag
• Minimum 2 layers of upper body thermals
• Wet suit/dry pants with thermals
• Spray deck to fit boat (preferably neoprene, try to borrow if you don’t have one)
• Buoyancy aid that fits well, won’t slip off and has good buoyancy
• Helmet that fits well, doesn’t slide all over the gaff and covers your forehead and back of head properly.
• Booties with a hard sole
• Water proof sunscreen, unless you plan on spending your holiday in a world of pain!
• Water, water, water, water.  Dehydration can be an issue, as it gets pretty hot during the day
• Snacks, SPARE (not lunch) chocolate bar or other energy snacks

Each paddler MUST bring water with him/her on every river trip! Dehydration can seriously affect your paddling ability!!!!

This is what we expect as a minimum but many other extras can be brought along.

It must stressed that all the gear you bring should be fitted to YOU.  That means getting hip pads, good foot plates, snug helmets and tight buoyancies, back rests and very important AIR-BAGS FOR YOUR BOAT!!!

Without proper buoyancy in your boat it makes the job of the rescue personnel much more difficult.  If the boat you’re bringing with you doesn’t have airbags, get them. 

Don’t be afraid to borrow gear off people who aren’t coming but make sure that it fits and that it is suitable!

Logistics of the Holiday

This will be mostly a camping holiday so make sure you bring everything you will need.

Guarantee a space in a tent!!  Not everyone needs to bring a tent, (I know all the girls are sorted, and will probably move around over the Holiday so lads ensure comfort!!)

Here are a few ideas of some of the kit we recommend bringing with you:

• Sleeping bag: nice n toasty one, and not too smelly.  Some nights will be spent above 1500 meters so it can get quite nippy at night
• Head torch: It also gets pretty dark at night over there J
• Sleeping mat / therma rest
• Bring at least one towel please: The water over there was pretty wet last year
• Swimsuit/swim shorts
• Plastic Bowl: What can’t they do?!
• Plastic drinking vessel: So it doesn’t get broken when you’re drinking cocktails at 4 am with a bunch of rowdy paddlers
• Steel knife, fork, spoon: the plastic ones you swipe off the plane won’t do

Any one who has trangia’s/camping cookers bring em along. 

The way cooking worked on last year’s trip was people ate together according to what car they were in.  This worked well last year.  May as well do it again this year.

Other Prerequisites

• Anybody with any medical conditions should ensure that all of the Leaders are aware of their condition and how to deal with any problems that may arise.  This should be filled in on the Personal Details form you have all received by now.

• Ensure that you have an adequate 2 week supply (at least) of any medication required (ladies you know what we’re talking about). 

• Everybody must have an EHIC before they leave which can be acquired from a local health centre. Get organising it now.

• Get personal accident insurance, which covers extreme sports - if you get helicopter lift, you’re looking at a hefty bill not covered by an EHIC.

We have compiled a minimum list of safety/rescue gear, for each group of senior paddlers: 

Trip Leaders

WW Buoyancy with quick release harness and anchor

2 Throw Ropes (one of which must be 25m)

River Knife

First Aid Kit

Mobile Phone with waterproof case

Pin kit (3 prussick, 4 lock gate HMS Carabineers, One large open sling, one large closed sling, 1 pulley)

Duct Tape/ zip ties etc.

Torch, chem. light

Map/Guide book

Whistle

*Group shelter

*Splits

*Flask

*Spare gear (Full set of dry thermals, and wind breaking jacket)

*Not necessarily carried by the leaders, may be dispersed among the group.

Trip Closers

WW Buoyancy with quick release harness and anchor

1 Throw Rope

River Knife

First Aid Kit

Pin Kit

Torch

Whistle

Splits

Rescue

1 Rope

Knife

First Aid Kit (where the paddler is appropriately certified)

2 locking gate HMS carabineers

1 large sling

Whistle