All members of Sea Cliff Paddlers (SCP) have invested in their own kayaking gear. The club does not own any boats or equipment. 

There are a number of different types of forward facing (the paddler is facing forward) paddle craft available on the market. This includes canoes, river kayaks, sea kayaks, surf skis, sit on top kayaks, and Hawaiian outrigger canoes amongst others. 

SCP specialises in sea-based expedition paddles and as such exclusively uses “Sea Kayaks” for SCP club paddling activities. Sea kayaks that are to be used in SCP activities must have at least 2 bulkheads, one on either side of the cockpit, to provide the relevant buoyancy for the craft to remain afloat in a capsize.  

Within the “Sea Kayak” subset of paddling equipment, there are “ruddered boats” and “skeg boats.” Over the years, club members have experimented with both. These days, most club members paddle ruddered sea kayaks as they give the best performance, particularly for long ocean crossings. 

In addition to the kayak, mandatory safety gear includes: 

• Kayak skirt (binds paddler to the boat and keeps water out) 

• A paddle 

• Lifejacket Level 50S (formerly type 3), or better, conforming with AS4758 -level 50S or AS4758 – level100 

• Pump fitted electrical or hand held.

• A light for winter after-dark paddles. This should be a waterproof (IP67) navigation (stern) light that can be fixed to the stern deck providing 360° visibility. 

• A pealess whistle 

• A tow line 

Other highly recommended equipment includes: 

• A broad hat with lanyard 

• A long sleeved rashie, sea gloves & sea shoes 

• A Personal Location Beacon (PLB) 

• A VHF marine radio 

• A spare paddle