25 Gift Ideas For Recreational Flatwater Kayakers

Kayaking is a wonderful and calming activity that gets people out into nature, and these gift ideas can help them enjoy it even more.

It's no surprise that flatwater kayaking is such a popular pastime, as not only is it good exercise, it also gets people out into the fresh air and allows them to enjoy the best of what nature has to offer.

And there's not many recreational activities that are more calming, enjoyable and fun as paddling down a river with beautiful scenery and serenity all around.

So if you know someone who loves to get out on the water in their kayak, then how about getting them a gift that can enhance their kayaking experience even further.

As the following list of gift ideas for flatwater kayakers are all things than they would be happy with and find plenty of use for. 

1. A Good Quality Paddle To Improve Their Experience

Getting a recreational flatwater kayaker a high quality paddle is an obvious starting point when looking for a gift idea for them.

However, this can be difficult, as there are many different types and styles of paddle, and which one they prefer may be down to personal choice.

But if you want to take a chance and get a paddle that is great for entry level kayakers, then check out the Werner Rio fiberglass kayak paddle.

2. A Set Of Paddle Leashes

If you're looking for a smaller stocking stuffer gift idea for a kayaker, then a set of paddle leashes can be a nice option.

As these are handy items that allow them to attach their paddle to either themselves or their kayak, which prevents their paddle from sailing down the river without them if they capsize.

And a set that will do the trick are the YYST orange paddle leashes above.

3. Paddle Grips For More Comfortable Paddling

Being out paddling on your kayak is great fun, but it can also be hard going on a kayakers hands.

So a gift idea that can help them to avoid blisters and fatigue in their hands is to get them the Yakgrips paddle grips.

As these padded grips slip onto their paddle to give them a better and more comfortable grip that will keep their hands happy throughout the day.

4. A Seat Pad To Make Their Kayak More Comfortable

Kayaking is great fun, however, sitting in your kayak for hours at a time can be hard work for your backside.

And there's nothing worse than getting a sore rear end to spoil the whole experience.

So a really nice gift to get for a flatwater kayaker is a padded cushion for their seat, such as the Yakpads cushioned kayak seat pad.

As this will keep them comfortable throughout their kayaking adventure.

5. Water Shoes For Grip And Comfort

Water shoes are a necessary part of a kayakers kit, as they need them to protect their feet and provide grip when getting out of the kayak, hiking to the start point,  or climbing over slippery surfaces.

And they also need them to be able to keep their feet cool and dry, so they need a pair that dries quickly too.

So for a gift that will do the job for them nicely, check out the Astral Hiyak water boots. 

6. A PFD Lifejacket To Keep Them Safe

Now a PFD life jacket may not always be necessary for a flatwater kayaker who is also a strong swimmer.

However, accidents do happen, so one of these is still a gift that can help to keep them safe in the event of them running into trouble on the river.

As these jackets will keep them afloat if they capsize, and give them time to either get themselves back to their kayak, or give others time to reach them.

And a high quality one that is ideal for the recreational kayaker is the Astral V-Eight PFD life jacket.

7. A Protective Helmet In Case The Going Gets Tougher

Another optional piece of safety equipment for a flatwater kayaker is to wear a protective helmet.

As even if the waters are still and calm, they may run into some faster currents along the way, and this will protect their head from any knocks if they capsize.

So why not give them the gift of this extra protection in the form of the WRSI Current Pro kayak helmet.

8. A Paddle Float To Help Them Back Into The Kayak

A paddle float is another piece of equipment that can keep your kayak loving friend safe and happy.

As these can be placed over the the paddle and inflated if they end up capsizing the kayak, making it easier for them to flip it back over and climb back in safely.

So getting them the NRS sea kayak paddle float is a gift that they will be grateful for the next time they end up in the water!

9. Float Bags To Keep Their Kayak Afloat

Float bags are super useful things to add to your kayak, as they provide buoyancy to keep you afloat, as well as keeping water from filling the kayak if you capsize.

So as a gift for a recreational kayaker, they make for a super useful one, as it might be a piece of kit they are missing.

And for some good quality ones check out the NRS Rodeo split stern float bags, which fit either side of the stern of a kayak. 

10. A Bilge Pump To Get Water Out Of Their Kayak

If a kayaker does capsize and water gets into their kayak, it can be a real pain getting it out again.

Which is where a bilge pump can be another super useful gift idea for them, as these pumps are designed for clearing water out quickly and with minimal fuss.

And for a good one, check out the Best Marine manual bilge pump.

11. A Dry Bag For All Their Stuff

Dry bags are an essential part of a recreational kayakers kit, as this is where they can store all their stuff to keep it safe and dry.

So these make for gifts that will always be appreciated by any kayaker, as you can never have enough high quality dry bags.

And they come in all different shapes and sizes, depending on whether your loved one is going out on the river for just a couple of hours, or if they need more gear for a 2-3 day touring kayak trip.

However, if you want to really treat them, look at the Watershed dry bags, with our top choice being the Watershed Ocoee duffel dry bag.

12. A Dry Container For Their Electronics

In this day and age kayakers also need protection for their electronics against damage from the water, which makes a dry container a great gift choice.

As these are ideal for protecting their smartphones and cameras against any bumps, knocks, and water damage.

And again, these come in a range of sizes, with a popular choice among kayakers being the Pelican 1060 micro case.

13. A Storage Bag That Sits On Their Kayak

Another gift option for on deck storage for a kayaker is to get them the Gearlab Deck Pod.

As this storage bag can be strapped onto the kayak and has special pockets for essential items such as a paddle float, bilge pump, and water bladder, giving a kayaker easy access to them.

Plus there is room inside to keep their other gear they might need to hand, such as a compass, clothing, or snacks.

14. A Camelbak Water Bladder For Hydration

Staying well hydrated while out kayaking is vitally important, especially on a hot summers day.

However, it's not practical to have water bottles inside the kayak rolling around and getting in your way.

So the ideal solution to this is to use a water bladder, as these can be worn in a backpack or put behind the kayak seat, giving the kayaker constant access water through the straws.

And for one that is perfect for using while kayaking, check out the Camelback Crux hydration bladder, with it's 2-liter capacity making it a top gift choice.

15. A Floating Cooler For Their Drinks and Snacks

If your loved one is a kayaker who enjoys going out on long day or overnight trips with their kayak, then getting them a cooler can be a great gift idea.

As this way they can keep their food and drink cold and fresh, which will keep them going and give them the energy to power on.

And if you're going to go down this route, how about treating them to a floating cooler?

As the CreekKooler Pup is a cooler that tows behind their kayak as they paddle, meaning it takes up no room on the actual kayak itself.

16. A Wide Brimmed Hat To Keep The Sun At Bay

Kayaking on a hot summers day is amazing, however it can also be dangerous unless you take measures to protect yourself from the heat.

And a gift idea that can help your loved ones to do this is to get them a wide-brimmed sun hat.

As these hats not only reflect the sun and keep the rays out of their eyes, they also help to keep a kayaker cool and stop them from overheating.

So check out the Sunday Afternoons Charter hat which is ideal for kayaking, and looks pretty cool to boot.

17. A Pair Of Polarized Sunglasses For The Glare

When you're out kayaking it's not only important to protect your eyes from the sun, it's also vital that you protect them from the glare off the water too.

So getting a kayaker a pair of polarized sunglasses is a really lovely gift idea.

And you could go as cheap or expensive as you like here as the options are many, but an example of a pair that are great to wear on the water are the Costa Del Mar Saltbreak sunglasses.

18. A Sunglasses Strap That Will Keep Them Afloat

Every kayaker will have at least one story of losing a pair of sunglasses to the sea or river while out kayaking.

And this can be an expensive and super annoying occupational hazard for them, especially if they wear high quality sunglasses.

So a little gift idea that can save them the pain of seeing their favourite pair of sunglasses sink to the bottom of the river bed never to be seen again is to get them the Chum's floating sunglasses sport strap.

As this sunglasses strap not only keeps the sunglasses firmly on their head, it's also made from neoprene which will float if the sunglasses do blow off and end up in the drink!

19. A Shirt To Protect Them From The Sun

Sun burn and overheating can be a problem for a kayaker in the summer time, and many get around this by wearing a shirt with UV protection.

And one that is a good gift option for any kayaker is the Speedo UV swim shirt.

As this one is stylish, has the right amount of sun protection to keep them cool and safe, and dries quickly when getting wet, which is also important when kayaking. 

20. A Pair Of Paddle Or Board Shorts

Board or paddle shorts are ideal to wear when kayaking in the summertime, as not only are they light and comfortable, they also dry super fast if you get them wet.

Plus they are great for stopping off for a swim somewhere along the way.

So they make for top gifts for warm weather kayakers, with the NRS Guide paddle shorts being a great example of what to go for.

21. Hydroskin Gear To Keep Them Dry And Warm

While many recreational kayakers only go out on the river during the warmer months, others like to go year round.

Which means they also need to wrap up warm to protect themselves against the cold.

So getting a kayaker some special clothing to keep them warm, dry, and comfortable is another great gift idea for them.

With the NRS Hydroskin range being the go to place for many kayakers, as this includes long and short-sleeve tops, pants, shorts, and all-in-one dry clothing.

22. A Headlamp So They Can See Where They're Going

If you know a kayaker that likes to go out during the early mornings or evenings, then a headlamp can be a really handy gift for them.

As they'll need to be able to light the way so they can see where they are going, and also so others can see them.

So check out the Black Diamond Storm 400 for a headlamp that they'll definitely be happy with.

23. A Compass To Keep Them On Track

Now for most flatwater kayakers, it will be hard for them to get lost while cruising along a straight river.

However, if they are going touring or venturing into the sea, then a compass could be really important for them to make sure they are heading in the right direction.

Which makes the Seattle Sports sea kayak compass a really cool gift idea, as they can strap this to their kayak so they never lose their way.

24. Safety Kit

One gift that will prove useful for a kayaker, as well as giving you peace of mind in helping to keep them safe, is to get them some safety equipment to take out on their kayak with them.

And one such safety kit that ticks the boxes for a recreational kayaker is the NRS basic touring safety kit.

As this contains essential kayak safety items such as a paddle float, bilge pump, rescue whistle, and a boat sponge.

25. A Book Of A Kayaking Adventure To Get Their Juices Flowing

Books always make for good gifts, and there are plenty of books about kayaking that a kayaker would be happy to receive.

And one that comes highly recommended is 'Amazon Woman' by Darcy Gaechter.

As this is a really cool story of one woman's epic kayaking adventure along the entirety of the Amazon river, with all the thrills and spills along the way.

Rounding Up

Flatwater kayaking is a fantastic activity, as it combines good exercise along with the happiness that being out among the best that nature has to offer can provide.

So if you have a loved one that enjoys their time on the water, why not treat them to a kayaking related gift.

As each of the gift ideas for flatwater kayakers that I've given you here are ones that a recreational kayaker would really enjoy and appreciate receiving.