What you need for a kayak race
A kayak race needs more than competition boats and paddles. You also need spare equipment, clearly marked course lines, rescue gear, participant numbers and a reliable way to communicate across the course. Plan safety equipment for every person on the water, then check power, timing and registration supplies before race day. This list helps you buy or gather the equipment needed for starts, finishes, rescues and volunteer teams.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Sports equipment
- Competition kayaksqty 30
- Spare kayaksqty 3
- Kayak paddlesqty 33
- Spare paddlesqty 5
- Life jacketsqty 40
- Water helmetsqty 35
- Bib numbersqty 35
- Race bib strapsqty 35
- Competition buoysqty 12
- Course Linesqty 300
- Anchorsqty 12
- Life boatsqty 2
- Paddles for rescue boatsqty 4
- Tow linesqty 4
Safety
- Life ringsqty 4
- Throw linesqty 4
- First aid kitsqty 2
- Emergency blanketsqty 10
- Safety whistlesqty 12
- Safety vestsqty 20
- Flashlightsqty 6
Equipment
- Walkie-talkiesqty 10
- Stopwatchesqty 6
- Megaphonesqty 2
- Mobile chargersqty 6
- Extension cordsqty 4
- Power stripsqty 4
- Prize display
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 3
- Tablesqty 8
- Chairsqty 40
- Folding benchesqty 4
- Start table
- Finish arch
- Waste binsqty 6
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 100
- Platesqty 60
- Cutlery setsqty 60
- Coffee cupsqty 40
- Serving boardsqty 6
Kitchen
- Coolersqty 6
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Kettlesqty 2
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Bread knivesqty 3
- Serving tongsqty 6
- Ice packsqty 24
Decorations
- Competition flagsqty 8
- Directional signsqty 12
- Information boardsqty 6
- Tableclothsqty 8
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 8
- String lightsqty 4
Cleaning
- Cleaning bucketsqty 3
- Sponge clothsqty 12
- Trash grabbersqty 4
- Hand broomsqty 3
- Floor squeegeesqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 80 pieces
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Cheese - 3 kilograms
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Currant buns - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Bandage strips - 2 boxes
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Energy gel - 40 pieces
Tips
- Have one spare kayak and one spare paddle available for every group of competitors, and check both for technical problems before participants arrive.
- Provide a correctly fitted life jacket and water helmet for every paddler, plus life rings, throw lines, first aid kits and emergency blankets for the safety team.
- Mark the course with competition buoys, course lines and anchors, and prepare rescue boats with paddles and tow lines before the first starter goes out.
- Prepare bib numbers and race bib straps for every registered participant, with extra numbers available for late changes or damaged bibs.
- Pack walkie-talkies, stopwatches and a megaphone for the race team. Charge mobile devices in advance and bring extension cords and power strips if timing or registration needs mains power.
Frequently asked questions
- What equipment do I need for a kayak race?
- Plan competition kayaks, paddles, life jackets and water helmets for each participant, plus at least one spare kayak and spare paddle. You also need course markers, rescue boats, first aid supplies, communication equipment and timing equipment.
- How many life jackets do I need for a kayak race?
- Provide one correctly fitting life jacket for every person who goes on the water, including competitors, rescue crews and other water-based volunteers. Keep extra jackets available for replacements and different sizes.
- What safety equipment is needed for a kayak race?
- Bring life boats, paddles for rescue boats, tow lines, life rings, throw lines, first aid kits, emergency blankets, safety whistles, safety vests and flashlights. Check this equipment during the site inspection and before the race starts.
- When should I prepare the kayak race shopping list?
- Confirm quantities and reserve specialist equipment at least 2 to 4 weeks before race day. Do the final equipment check after the weather forecast and site inspection, ideally the day before the race.
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