Kayaking and Paddling Gear

As instructors and rough-water kayakers we have spent a lot of time and effort finding, testing and, in some cases, rejecting paddling gear. One of the primary reasons we started the Virginia Sea Kayak Center was so that other kayakers can learn from our experiences and benefit from gear that has been tested in the real world.

Each piece of gear you'll find on our site and in our catalog has been personally tested and is in active use as part of our on-water "kit." For example, the Expedition Essentials tow rig system has some outstanding features which make rescues easier -- better than any other system we've tried. From the mesh bag that allows water to drain, to the high-quality carabineers, the tow rig is a well thought out piece of gear that we use all-too-often.

Other items in our catalog are Virginia Sea Kayak Center originals -- gear we have developed ourselves when we couldn't find a suitable item in the marketplace. For example, our Contact Tow system, which features a quick-release buckle, high-quality carabineers and a quick-adjusting buckle for fast on-water deployment continues to be our #1 selling item!

If you're a coach or instructor, sea kayaking enthusiast, or routinely paddle in rough water and more advanced conditions, we think you'll find our gear offerings effective and well-developed additions to your personal kayaking kit.

Of course, we always welcome feedback and suggestions on any of the gear that we offer.

Storm Shelter deployed on a cold January day (click for larger version):