We’ve endured two weeks of snow and ice storms out here in Oregon, and as I sit here going stir crazy, I’m also prepping for prime season paddles on the flatwater. How’re you getting ready – in body, mind, and spirit – for this year’s kayaking season?

I'm excited to share with you the top five kayaking-related purchases I’ve made over the last couple of months. The benefit of having a birthday right after the holiday season means I can indulge in some shopping for my favorite sport. Each of these items promises to be a game changer for my flat water kayaking life, hopefully improving my safety, health, and wellness in the Great Outdoors…

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1. GoRuck for Rucking Fitness

My dad and husband are already big on “rucking,” which is a term that means walking with weight on your back (my 80-year-old dad literally goes rucking nearly every single day, it’s quite impressive!). GoRuck has really elevated this practice from military to the general fitness market with their high-quality, durable plates and sacks/training carriers.

Some of you may remember that last spring, I walked 400 miles in 3 months to boost my fitness for kayaking. This year, I decided to refine this approach by adding the simple resistance training that rucking provides (Did you know? You can burn up to 3X more calories rucking vs walking).

I recently ordered my own carrier and 10 pound plate [You can order yours here] to level up my fitness in 2024 and beyond. The total cost came to about $200.

My goals include building more strength, shedding some weight, and improving my endurance, so I can safely and enjoyably kayak several times a week during the spring and summer in the Pacific Northwest. I have big adventures planned, and I want to be in top shape to enjoy every minute. Stay tuned, and I’ll share how my rucking goes in future posts on Flatwater Kayak Club.

UPDATE, FEBRUARY 2024: I’ve been rucking every day, and love it! The 10 pound weight + carrying sack is really comfortable, and not so heavy that I dread using it…. I even have started cleaning my house while wearing it!

2. Noom Subscription

Sooooo, I haven’t made the best eating choices during this cozy, rainy season, and my weight creeped up a bit more than I’m comfortable with (read: a lot more). I saw the science of Noom’s weight loss program circulating social media, and last month, I signed up for the app and a 5-month subscription.

Once I got over my fear of the scale, it’s been a fun journey of learning the psychology of eating, how to make healthier food swaps, and tracking steps and calories (I actually don’t mind that part, it feels like a daily puzzle). Noom’s program isn’t about omitting everything yummy, sweet, delicious. It’s more about making choices, portion control, mindful eating, and selecting from “green” “yellow” and “orange” food groups.

They also offer Noom Circles, which are community groups in the app, which I don’t engage with very much… sometimes I’ll peek at the channels here and there if I’m interested in a particular topic. Others out there might find the forums more helpful and motivating though.

I’ve been using the Noom app for about a month, and I’m happy to report that I’ve lost 7 pounds! I’m still working towards my overall health goals, but I’m trying to enjoy the process along the way and not get stuck in the mind loop that all will be perfect if I’m at my ideal weight.

Right now I exercise a few days a week (weights, plus some fun winter activities like ice skating and bouldering), am committed to daily mindful walks, and I’m looking forward to adding rucking into my wellness routine to increase strength and heart health for kayaking.

Interested in trying Noom to jumpstart your weight loss in 2024? They also recently included “Noom Med” services, which you can utilize (for an extra fee) if you’re interested in custom medical guidance and support for weight loss. Check out Noom here.

3. Oru Lake Sport folding kayak

I bought this as a holiday kayak gift for my middle schooler, who I tandem kayaked with quite often in 2023. I’m so excited for us to both have single kayaks this year to enjoy more outdoor adventures together. Also, to give it a paddle myself and see how it compares in real life Pacific Northwest water testing against my Oru Inlet.

Why It’s a Game Changer: The Oru Lake Sport kayak is an innovative piece of equipment – Its lightweight and foldable design make it perfect for quick getaways, and its stability is ideal for younger paddlers. Gifting this kayak to my son is not just about fostering a shared hobby, it’s about creating more lasting memories on the water​​​​ this year.

4. Wilderness Survival Skills Course

Safety is always top of mind for me, and just a few months ago I renewed my Red Cross CPR/First Aid Training. Building on this knowledge I gained on first aid and CPR training for kayakers, I’ve enrolled in REI’s Wilderness Survival: 3-Season Skills class here in Oregon, taking place next month.

As you can imagine, these classes fill up quickly, so I’m glad I scored my spot. I’ll be learning (and strengthening my skills) in practical tips and strategies that outdoor travels should know, including emergency priorities, making an emergency shelter, locating and accessing drinking water, how to build a fire, and more. The course cost me $89 (a discounted rate) since I’m an REI Co-Op Member.

I love building my own confidence in outdoor reliance, and empowering others (especially women) to do the same. I look forward to sharing with you key insights and a review of this course in early Spring 2024.

Interested in this course? Explore REI classes and workshops near you.

5. Ombraz armless sunglasses

Usually I flatwater kayak wearing one of my favorite hats and my Ray Bans. But the sunglass pair I own aren’t the greatest for kayaking (or outdoor sports, in general). So I invested in one of the coolest sunglasses on the market for my 2024 kayaking adventures – Ombraz.

These sunglasses are popular with outdoor enthusiasts because they don’t break, don’t fall off, are comfortable, durable, and stylish. They’re also packable, which is super nice for hiking, camping, and paddling multi-day journeys! You can choose different lenses as well, and the grey lenses on my pair filter out 89% of light – check out the difference when looking through these sunglasses at water.

Ombraz armless sunglasses have also received notable reviews from Outside Magazine, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Another cool company thing? They plant 20 mangrove trees for every sunglass pair they sell.

I purchased a Classic style pair that cost me $140 (you can get a discount code by signing up for Ombraz’s email list). I’ll share photos and my thoughts this year. I also drive a Vespa Primavera, so I feel like these could be great for scooting as well. Check out Ombraz online to learn more about their sunglasses and do a virtual try-on.

Tell us about some game-changing purchases you’ve made to support your 2024 kayaking fitness in the comments below, and we’ll share our product reviews and updates in the coming months! I’m also focused on building and growing kayaking adult friendships, and exploring more paddling events around the region and beyond :)

About Flatwater Kayak Club

Flatwater Kayak Club is a leading woman-owned online platform dedicated to supporting beginner and intermediate kayakers in the Pacific Northwest. Our company founder, a former writer for The National Geographic Channel and a current ACA member, guides our mission with her passion for kayaking, nature, and storytelling.