0 PFD
0 Spray skirt 0 Paddle 0 Dry bag
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Camera case Watch
Sunscreen Sunglasses
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Sandals Shorts Dry top
Whether you plan on staying dry, or getting wet. your gear should be able to with- stand a thorough soaking. Durability is key. Here are a few items that will sur- vive whitewater and flatwater in all temperatures. The new Lotus Designs Lolita PFD ($125, www.lotusdesigns.com. 800-638-6464) is made specifically for a woman's figure, and smaller bodies. Its flotation component sits low around the sternum, and a side zip ensures a snug fit so that it won't ride up. Men should consider Lotus' Rio Bravo ($129), another low-profile PFD. To keep the water out of your boat while touring, try the Pocket-System Convertible Spray Deck by Wildwasser ($135, www.wildnet.com.303-444-2336). This breathable spray skirt is easy to use because of a front-zipper entrance. A mesh pocket can store a water bottle, sunglasses and food. To make your way through the water, take advantage of the foam-core, carbon construction of the Kalliste Premium Touring Paddle by Werner Paddles ($450, www.wernerpaddles.com.800-275-3311) . This paddle is ultra lightweight, at less than 23 ounces, and breaks down into four pieces for easy travel. For storing your gear and keeping an eye on it, Wildwasser makes sev-
a. Lotus Designs Lolita PFO b. Lotus Designs Rio Bravo PFO c. Teva Guide Wraptor l.L river sandal d. Werner Kaliiste premium touring paddle
eral sized dry bags in clear PVC ($13 to $20). Your camera may require extra pro- tection. The airtight and watertight (up to 30 ft depth) Pelican Case by Wildwasser ($12 to $140), comes in sizes to accommodate everything from a video-recorder to a svelte digital camera and floats. When you need to know how many daylight hours are left, or keep track of the tide, trust the Swatch Yellow Squid watch ($90, www.swatch.com.866-379-2824).ltis waterproof up to 100 feet and its bright yel- low rubber band will keep you entertained. To protect yourself from the sun, be sure to apply a generous coating of Oennatone's Super Waterproof SPF 33 Sunblock Creme ($19 for a 4 oz. bottle, www.dermatone.com. 866-225-7546).
Native
Top ($184, www.montbell.com. 303-449.5331). that keep water out.
Eyewear's polarized Low Ryder sunglasses ($105, www.nativeeyewear.com. native@nativeeyewear.com) reduce surface glare and you can keep them tethered with Gator-Lok temple pieces and strap that replace the original temple and ear construction. To keep warm, and relatively dry, consider the MontBeU DRTC Semidry It has cuffs with latex "gaskets"
For warm weather, the Kokatat Surf Trunk ($50,
www.kokatat.com. 800-225-9749) is made of supple quick-drying material that incorporates sun protection, and now comes in women's sizes. The Teva Guide Wraptor L.C. river sandal ($95, www.teva.com. 800ยท367-8382) will protect your feet from rocks and reefs, and stay on in whitewater, thanks to a strap system that continua lly readjusts itself as your foot moves. When you're trekking around town, convert it to a slide by removing the heel strap. -David Schipper
~BLUE.COM Find BLUE's sea kayak trip packing list at
blue.com/gear/paddle and whitewater rafting specific packing list at blue.com/gear/raft
