What you need for a freestyle kayaking competition

A freestyle kayaking competition needs more than boats and paddles. You will need safety equipment for the water, clear course markers, judging and registration supplies, reliable power, and shelter for officials and participants. Plan quantities around your competitor count, judges, rescue team, and expected spectators. Check the water level, weather forecast, venue requirements, and equipment at least one day before the event so missing essentials can still be replaced.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Judges' table
Registration desk
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Freestyle kayaksqty 12
Kayak paddlesqty 14
Paddle oarsqty 14
Kayak helmetsqty 16
Life jacketsqty 20
Splash tarpsqty 16
Rescue kayaksqty 2
Throw linesqty 4
Whistlesqty 12
Competition buoysqty 12
Water anchorsqty 12
Bib numbersqty 80
Conesqty 24
Crowd control barriersqty 20

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Tabletsqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Megaphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6
Calculatorsqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Notice boardsqty 2
Whiteboardsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 180
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Pitcherqty 6

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Bread basketsqty 6
Drink cratesqty 10
Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea selection - 6 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 80 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Sandwiches - 160 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Kaiser rolls - 80 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Eggs - 120 pieces
- Bacon cubes - 5 kilos
- Potatoes - 12 kilos
- Mixed vegetables - 10 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Mixed snacks - 5 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate bars - 80 pieces
- Diet biscuits - 4 packs
- Paper napkins - 400 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6
Frying pansqty 2
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Ice packsqty 30

Decorations

Competition banner
Directional signsqty 10
Information boardsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 10

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand broomsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 12

Tips

Prepare one suitable kayak, paddle, helmet, and life jacket for every competitor who needs supplied equipment, plus dedicated rescue kayaks and throw lines for the safety team. Inspect all items before competitors arrive.
Bring enough bib numbers for every registered competitor and keep a small spare set available for last-minute changes. Sort the numbers before registration opens so starter groups can be assigned quickly.
Use competition buoys, water anchors, and cones to mark the competition area clearly. Check the anchors and boundary markers after setup and again if the water level or current changes.
Provide a judges’ table, registration desk, chairs, stopwatches, calculators, tablets or a laptop, and power banks. Pack extension cords and power strips only where they can be kept dry and safely away from the water.
Plan drinks, catering, waste bins, and shelter for the full event day, not just the competition rounds. Chill drinks before the first starters arrive and keep extra water available for rescue personnel and officials.

Frequently asked questions

How many kayaks do I need for a freestyle kayaking competition?: Plan one competition kayak per active competitor if you are supplying boats. Add at least one dedicated rescue kayak, and consider one spare competition kayak for equipment failure or damage.
How many safety items should each kayaker have?: Each competitor should have access to one suitable helmet and one life jacket, while every rescue team member needs the required safety equipment for their role. Keep multiple throw lines available at the course rather than relying on a single line.
When should I check the water level and weather forecast?: Check both at least 24 hours before the competition and again on the morning of the event. Reassess the course, buoys, anchors, and rescue arrangements whenever conditions change.
How many bib numbers should I buy or prepare?: Prepare one bib number for every registered competitor and keep at least 10% extra for replacements, late registrations, or damaged numbers. Sort them by starter group before registration.

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