Gift Ideas for the Kayaker in Your Life - 2024 Edition

It’s that time again… we have a few more gift ideas for the kayaker in your life – 2024 edition. Having optimized our gear over the years our need for new gear is pretty small. That being said, with every trip, we find something that can be improved or a new failure mode that needs to be addressed. Sometimes it’s not needed, but it is nice to have.

Pack It

We love a good IKEA bag. A few years back, we bought a small IKEA bag for our paddling partner… partially because it’s cute, and partially as a joke. I mean, what can you fit in a 3 gallon bag? Well, the joke’s on us. She started calling it her “kayaking pocketbook” and using it every trip because you can fit all the items that you want to keep with you until right before you launch. Your car keys, your sunglasses, your wallet, etc. This can handle those last-minute items that the rest of us have traditionally tried to juggle in our hands as we make our way down to our loaded boats at the shoreline. Genius.

We have a couple of the traditional Frakta version (not currently available at our local IKEA). In addition to being a great kayaking pocketbook, we used them on our camping roadtrip this summer to hold electronics (batteries, lights, the portable fan for our tent, etc.). They make a great beach pocketbook also: pack your book, sunscreen, water bottle, phone, etc. Then just brush off the sand when you’re ready to head to the car.

It seems as though they create some fun, seasonal varieties, so check back periodically to see what’s new.

Pump it Up

While we have pump sacks for our sleeping pads, we timed it and it saves a few minutes per pad when we use a battery-powered pump. Does that make a difference on a leisurely camping trip? Not really. But when we’re racing, those minutes add up. We were lugging our Coleman version around, but it required its own separate 5L dry bag. This Flextail pump snuggles right in with my sleeping pad and gets the job done.

They also have an ultralight version that we haven’t tried. The light on our version has come in handy on occasion, but if you’re looking for something even smaller than what we have, the Flextail Zero might be a good fit.

The Gift of Instruction

Every kayaker I know benefits from skill-building work. If you’re in the greater Puget Sound area, we highly recommend these folks we’ve had the pleasure to learn from and paddle with:

Robert Nissenbaum – is an excellent instructor who is talented at helping kayakers at every level improve their skills and confidence. He teaches rescues, paddling technique, trip planning, and safety – all with patience, good humor, and support. He has scheduled classes, small groups, and private sessions available. Robert is an American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayaking and Rolling Instructor who also won the ACA Instructor of the Month in April 2024.
Erika O’Leary – has taught courses for the North Sound Sea Kayaking Association, the Mountaineers, and other organizations. She also hosts the Summer Tuesday Skills Practice series in Kitsap where paddlers come for weekly practice in foundational skills, finding connection and community. As a coach she creates a deeply supportive environment in which students achieve their goals through exploration and discovery. She holds certification as an American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor.
Graton Gathright – is a sea kayaker and coach whose kayaking playground is the coastal waters of Washington and Vancouver Island. He loves to kayak the “rough waters”–the surf zone, tide races, and rock gardens. He also loves “noodling”–maneuvering along, between, and around the rocks, docks, and features along the shore. As a coach, Graton earnestly partners with students in their kayaking development, diving deep with them on their particular interests and objectives. His approach is tailored to students in both content and pacing.
Trina Hahn-Anzalone – is a fun, enthusiastic, high-energy instructor who specializes in Greenland paddling. She is passionate about breaking barriers for women, especially women with mobility concerns wanting to improve their rescue techniques. She says her greatest joy is empowering others to build confidence and comfort in coastal environments while having fun and keeping a positive attitude. She has an endorsement through the ACA for rolling, and loves helping people on their journey with rolling.

We’ve Said it Before…

We’ve written before about the gear we use – and we stand by the ideas in these posts:

Our Biggest Recommendation

Of course, we think the best gift you can give is the gift of a kayak. Use coupon code GIFT24 at checkout and get $500 off any kayak through December 24, 2024. So whether your special kayaker wants an in-stock kayak or a custom kayak of their own, we can help.

Order Now through December 24 and we’ll Give Back

As we have in years past, we will donate 10% of proceeds on all orders placed through Tuesday, December 24th (our own, extended, Giving Tuesday). We will split donations between four worthy organizations in our area. They work everyday preserving our wildlife and waters and encouraging people to experience all the sea has to offer. We wrote a bit about each of them the year we started this tradition – check out:

Adventures with Whales for our thoughts on the Orca Network
In Service to the Ocean for more on the Ikkatsu Project
Inspiring Adventure on why we chose the Northwest Maritime Center
When the Road Less Traveled is Water to read what we love about the Washington Water Trails Association

And Some Smaller Gift Recommendations

And if a full kayak isn’t in the cards for this year, you can find just the right upcycled kayak ornament or one of our new stickers on our Etsy shop. When checking out of our Etsy shop use coupon code GIFT24 and get 20% off through December 24, 2024.

Shop Local

As always, we recommend you shop with your local, independently owned kayaking supply shop. In the Puget Sound area, check out one of the great outfitters below.

Gift Ideas for the Kayaker in Your Life – 2024 Edition