It’s pretty common practice, your kit is not great or just non-existence and your mate has a good set that he’s not using. That’s when you go, “do you mind if I borrow it?” Well here are a few tips to keep you, the kit and the person lending it happy.

The first thing to remember is whilst it always ok to ask don’t be offended if someone says no. Kayaking kit can cost hundreds of pounds and can be used every time that person gets on the water so naturally would become attached to it and be protective about it. So don’t take it personally if they preferred you didn’t use it.If they do say it’s ok then great, but they will probably add on “prostitute rules apply,” in other words, “you screw with it, you pay for it.”

Still confused, well, it’s just a way of saying that if the kit got damaged or broken whilst you were using it you would then pay to get it replaced or repair.It is very important that you understand this and although you would of course be as careful as possible if anything were to happen you would be held to this and expected to shell out.

With that in mind, once you’ve got the kit, make sure you look after it.
All the gear will have Do’s and Don’ts specific to taking care of them. Things like not walking around in the socks of dry trousers and dry suits or squish a BA in the bottom of your bag. Make sure you follow these. If you’re not sure what they might be, ask the guy you’re borrowing it off. They’ll know how to look after it and will gladly tell you, they want it taken care of as well.

Finally after you’ve used it and it’s time to give it back, and here there are two ways to really make someone regret lending you there stuff. Make sure you give it back the way you got it. If your given it nicely dry, clean and folded and you hand back soaked from your swim, covered it whatever makes up the bank you pulled yourself out on, they’re not going to be happy.

So here’s what you do. Offer to take it home. Give it a wash, they’ll be Do’s and Don’ts for this as well, and then make sure it’s dried out. Last but not least make sure you give it back to them in good time. It may be washed, dried, pressed and folded, but if it then spends two months in your room, that’s no good.

Follow this and you’ll keep everyone smiling.

Just remember, it’s not your kit but until you thank them and hand it back, it should be looked after as if it was.

 

– Andrew Sinclair