Spare paddle

Optional equipment to some, essential to others.

A spare paddle is usually a take-apart that is stored on the deck of a sea kayak or inside a whitewater kayak. Some folks prefer a cheap paddle as a spare, others a good paddle with a different blade - the latter allows changing paddles for different conditions. Among Greenland paddle enthusiasts, it is common to carry a storm paddle as a spare.

It is considered best practice to always carry a spare when paddling solo and make sure there are at least a couple of spares in a group. It isn't that uncommon to lose or break a paddle. If you lose your paddle while doing an Inverted Aqueous Maneouver, a spare paddle allows for a roll whereas no spare means a swim.