July 15 - 19, 2026

"This place will change your life"

  What to bring to the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium

We want to empower you as an independent paddle to determine what you want and need on the water. Think about what you need in order to show up with most amount of headspace to be present and pliable for the day on the water.  There are a few “must haves” and other things we would suggest however, use your judgment and come prepared to be an active participant in your pod.

If you need gear or a boat please complete the gear request survey as soon as possible (sent via email and in our community hub, padlet)

Must Haves:

• Adaptability
• Kayak – Appropriate for the environment    
• Paddle 
• Spray skirt 
• PFD/Life jacket 
• Whistle 
• Means to pack a lunch
• Laminated ICE card – with information you want emergency services to have (ie. insurance, blood type, emergency contact, etc.)
• Pictured Rocks Parking Pass (Any vehicle that will be in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore will need to purchase a parking pass)
• Smile and an open attitude to learning

Suggested:

• Good water shoes or wetsuit booties. Required if renting a drysuit.
• Helmet – required for the surfing, playing around rocks or in caves but – it’s a good idea!
• White light – required if you’re going to do the sunset paddle
• Drysuit/wetsuit (everyone will be IN the water at some point)
• Synthetic layers underneath drysuit can be tailored by thickness for the right amount of warmth.  
• Tow Belt – not strictly mandatory but you want one, or more specifically, your paddling friends really want you to have one.

• Nose plugs
• Drybags for lunches, spare clothing
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses with retaining strap
• Bug Spray 

*Kokatat and NRS are providing  a limited number of demo drysuits to the event.  These are available on a first come first served basis and sizes are not guaranteed.  If you want to rent a drysuit for the event, we recommended contacting Kayak Academy in California