Paddle float

A paddle float can be attached to a spare paddle and used to stabilise a stationary kayak during self-rescue. They are not very popular in Europe but even if you can roll your kayak every time, a paddle float could come in handy. 

You can buy nice, neat paddle floats which are either a slab of closed-cell foam or a large version of the inflatable arm bands that children use when they are learning to swim. 

Spare paddle

If you kayak for long enough, you will eventually need to use your spare paddle. Or at least wish you had one, as you struggle back to shore using the longest remaining part of your broken paddle. A spare paddle may also enable you to get back into your kayak if you go for an accidental swim while kayaking solo. See Self-Rescue With A Paddle Float. If you go out in a group, probably you need only one spare paddle for every six kayaks.

Materials for paddles

A sea kayaking paddle should be reasonably light, but you really do want it to be strong. There are few things quite as depressing as a paddle shaft which breaks in half while you are trying to roll in big waves. It's not good if a blade breaks when it clips a rock while you're doing an urgent high recovery stroke, or when your friend Bob accidentally stands on it during lunch on that offshore island.

About paddles

You can use any ordinary kayak paddle on the sea, whether the European style with big blades or the Greenland style. The main thing is that it shouldn't break while you are using it. If you want to surf, visit caves and play next to rock gardens and reefs we recommend ordinary white-water paddles.

Waves and weather in sea kayak

Breaking wave coming from in front? Punch through it.
Breaking wave coming from the side? Paddle brace on the wave, raise the downwave edge of your kayak. 
Wave coming from behind? Surf it.
In calm weather, waves are nearly always fun for experienced kayakers. On most coasts, waves and wind go together. Most sea kayakers stay ashore when there are strong winds. On the lee side of an open sea it is always possible to experience very large waves breaking on the beach and cliffs where there is no wind at all.