What to bring for a rowing tour

A rowing tour needs more than boats and oars. Pack safety equipment for every boat group, waterproof route information, food and drinks for the planned stops, and practical supplies for registration and catering. This checklist also covers the items that are easy to arrange too late, such as coolers, power access, route signs and shelter. Use your participant count and number of boats to set quantities before shopping.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Rowing boatsqty 10
Beltsqty 20
Spare strapsqty 4
Boat cushionsqty 40
Waterproof route mapsqty 12

Safety

Life jacketsqty 45
Life ringsqty 3
Rescue linesqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Waterproof walkie-talkiesqty 4
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Flashlightsqty 6

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Folding benchesqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 8
Pitchersqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Signage

Route signsqty 12
Conesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4
Markersqty 6
Waterproof tapeqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Whole wheat bread - 10 loaves
- White pistolets - 50 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 30 pieces
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Smoked chicken breast - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Celery - 2 heads
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 50 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Fruit juice - 8 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Bread bags - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Waste binsqty 8
Dustpans and brushesqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Ice packsqty 30

Registration

Registration formsqty 60
Ballpoint pensqty 12
Name stickersqty 60
Clipboardsqty 4
Waterproof document sleevesqty 20

Tips

Plan one life jacket for every participant, plus at least one life ring and one rescue line for each active route group. Check sizes before the boats are collected, because replacing safety gear on the day is difficult.
Prepare two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add water for the full route and return journey. Chill drinks in the coolers before departure; last-minute cooling rarely works for a full group.
Allow one sandwich or equivalent lunch portion per person, with extra portions for late arrivals and changing dietary requirements. Keep dietary-specific food clearly separated and labelled at the catering table.
Bring one waterproof route map for each boat or boat leader, and prepare route signs, cones and barrier tape for every confusing turn, rest area and finish point. Pack spare signs in case wind or water dislodges one.
Check power requirements before bringing coffee machines and kettles. Take extension cords and power strips long enough to reach the registration and catering tables, and keep all electrical connections away from wet ground.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a rowing tour?: Plan for boats, belts, spare straps, cushions, waterproof route maps and one life jacket per participant. Add life rings, rescue lines, first aid kits, waterproof walkie-talkies, food, drinks, coolers, tableware, signs and shelter based on your group size.
How much food and drink do I need for a rowing tour?: Allow one sandwich or lunch portion per person, plus 5–10% extra for late arrivals and dietary changes. For the first hour, plan two to three drinks per person, then add water for the remaining route and return trip.
How many life jackets are needed for a rowing tour?: Bring one correctly sized life jacket for every participant, including organisers and anyone travelling between stops. Check the sizes at least one day before the tour and keep spare safety equipment available where the route plan requires it.
When should I prepare the rowing tour shopping list?: Finalise the list at least 3–5 days before the tour, after registrations and dietary requirements are updated. Chill drinks and prepare route materials the day before, then collect boats and remaining equipment on the agreed pickup day.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.