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Gear Guide | Sea Kayaking | The Open Coast Kit

This is the kit our instructors recommend primarily for womxn sea kayakers (but recommendations transfer to male paddlers too) who want breadth over depth. You’re building skills in all directions: touring, surfing, rock gardening, tide race, multi-day adventures. You need a kit that can make you feel confident, prepared, and go the distance in multiple venues. This is your tried and tested kit.

Note: Author is 5’7 and 150 lbs yet recommendations are taken from first- and second-hand experience from fellow female instructors. 

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THE BIG 5

Kayak

We selected these sea kayaks because they combine versatility, playfulness but can still keep pace with the pod. At Cali Collective, we have a bias for rotomolded, plastic, polyethylene models which provide us with a greater margin of error when surfing and playing in the rocky coastlines of Northern California, so you can push your skills without punishing your boat. But they do tend to be heavier than their lithe composite counterparts, which is why we also offer our favorite composite model that we find provides a comparable fit and performance.

Please keep in mind that investing in a kayak is a very personal, individual choice and by no means is this list exhaustive. This is a list of our favorites which typically run between 14’5 and 16 ft for ultimate maneuverability and agility. The team at Cali Collective also highly recommends demoing and thoroughly testing these kayaks before you make your decision.

Plastic / Closest Composite Equivalent 

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Life Jacket

Laura & Julien in HustleR rescue jackets. Photo: Trent Pearce

Laura & Julien in HustleR rescue jackets. Photo: Trent Pearce

  • Rescue Ready: Kokatat HusteR – Great gear storage, fits a wide variety of bust and body types, easy to customize, super comfortable and light. I also like how easy it is to add the Kokatat Tributary hydration system to it. Before investing in a rescue vest, it’s important to learn proper towing techniques, practice quick releasing in a variety of positions (including upside down underwater).

  • Everyday Ready: Kokatat Hustle

Dry Suit / Wetsuit / Warm Day Wear

Kristen in an NRS drysuit. Laura (middle) in Kokatat’s Idol drysuit with custom colors. D in Kokatat’s Odyssey drysuit. Photo: Mary Ann King

Kristen in an NRS drysuit. Laura (middle) in Kokatat’s Idol drysuit with custom colors. D in Kokatat’s Odyssey drysuit. Photo: Mary Ann King

Kokatat’s Session Semi-dy top. Photo: Trent Pearce

Kokatat’s Session Semi-dy top. Photo: Trent Pearce

Paddle

Laura with Werner’s Cyprus by undisclosed location. Photo: Treve Johnson

Laura with Werner’s Cyprus by undisclosed location. Photo: Treve Johnson

Bias toward high angle, aggressive paddling.

Sprayskirt

  • Bomber Secure: Immersion Research KlingOn Empire

Helmet

  • Sweet Strutter

  • Sweet Rocker (for hard rock play and big wave surfing)

Shoes

  • Astral Brewess or Loyak (high-top, high performance)

  • NRS Women’s Wetshoe

Essential Accessories 

Nice to Have!

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