Out of all the outdoor pursuits in Maine, paddling is an example of an activity where’s there’s no such thing as a “simple” or “easy” day on the water. The inherent hazards of the ocean, rivers, and other waterways demand that a paddler take along all of the right gear, all the time, as the unlikely can occur anywhere and any time.

Here’s a good gear list for paddling day trips prepared by staff writer Dierdre Fleming of the Portland Press Herald.