I cannot stress enough the importance of preparedness when it comes to kayaking. All too often I hear stories of drowned cell phones, lost paddles, flooded cockpits, paddlers lost at night and worse. It frustrates me to hear these tales, especially when these paddlers could have avoided such calamity simply by being prepared and carrying with them the proper kayaking essentials. The following is my personal list of must haves for kayakers (in no particular order):

Personal Flotation Device: PFDs are just like seatbelts — no one likes to wear them. They are bulky, hot, and if (God forbid) you have one of those pesky side-strap models, they will eat your underarms alive. However, they will undoubtedly save your life by preventing you from drowning should you capsize your kayak. It is my recommendation to always wear your life jacket, no matter what. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard mandates that all kayakers must have an approved PFD onboard with them at all times!