The post by AdamBo touches on a major concern of mine. Although I have several kayaking acquaintances, scheduling problems often leave me kayaking solo. My playground, the Chesapeak Bay, is not exactly a raging malestrom but there are times when I would rather not be alone out there. My safety measures include checking the weather report, carrying flares, VHF, GPS, compass, extra paddle, paddle float, pump, bailout bag, etc. I don't have a reliable roll, but I practice self-rescues.

Any advice, experiences, or comments on solo kayaking?

Stay upright.

Work on your roll, on both sides, and you'll probably feel even better.

I've been paddling now for some 24 years, and probably two-thirds of my trips have been solo. Much as I enjoy the company of fellow paddlers on the water, I have only so much focus available, and I find that conversation and interaction with other kayakers, while delightful, blocks my ability to fully enter into the experience of the non-human maritime world around me. So I've found that the two-thirds/one-third ratio works well for me. How to do all this solo paddling safely? For me, the five most important factors in sea kayaking are: Judgment, Judgment, Judgment, Experience, and Skills. Hence I make sure to stay well within my personal "envelope" when solo paddling, such that almost any worst-case scenario that I can envision is something that I am confident I can handle. Close study of the weather, especially wind strength and direction, and the tides, and using that info to select the best, safest trip route (and knowing when to stay home or to go home) will go a long way toward solo safety.

About 90 per cent of my kayaking is solo and even when I'm with someone I stay within my comfort zone. I don't kayak for cheap thrills and wild adventures. When conditions get tough, I stay pretty close to shore, but the truth is that I can't imagine myself being out there when it's that bad anyway.

I happen to be very warry of sea lions and other such creatures a lot more than what the water and wind ever presents.

I enjoy both solo and group. Sometimes the day just calls for a solo paddle, and, like Strange Magic, I tend to be more conservative in destination choices for paddling solo. I had an ex-girlfriend who used to gossip and chitchat the whole time we paddled and just about ruined the experience for me...tho I must share some of the blame..being a big-mouth myself at times. I live on a creek and since I have the opportunity to go on any length of paddle I want in my own backyard (depending on tide and daylight) it's usually spontaneous and I don't have time to organize a trip on the spot....so my creek trips are almost always solo. Steve

The double-edged sword of the yapping girlfriend...

Still, having a creek out yer back door sounds like it makes up for it - nice...

My first solo trip went real well!

I agree with others, that if I waited until I had a paddling partner I would paddle much less. That said I also restrict my solo paddling to situations that are well within my comfort zone.

Like most of the others I also paddle alone most of the time. I live alone and most often I willgo when ever the thought comes to me, no plans or destination just gone paddling. Be carefull and enjoy.

Some really good advice here...I paddle alone most the time, although occasionally I will have a partner. I go out for long periods of time in very isolated areas. When you are out there alone and the waves and wind start acting up you do have to constantly ask youself if you are doing everything correctly...there will be no-one to get you out of a tricky situation; except yourself.
Buy the best equipment you can afford...listen to the weather reports constantly...check all charts. You must believe in yourself and your abilities. When paddling alone you must err on the side of caution! Do your homework.
THOSE THAT FAIL TO PLAN, PLAN TO FAIL!

Due to very young family and work commitments I have to paddle very early or very late and normally at short notice so 99% of my paddling is done solo.

I judge the conditions carefully and stay well within my limits. If I have any concern I stick very close to shore so if it all goes wrong I am close enough to swim to shore almost instantly.

I carry all the kit I need to self rescue (paddle float, coaming stirrup etc) as well as kit to make contact with the outside world (VHF, Phone etc).

All that said, paddling solo has the extra risk and no matter what precautions we take we could get into serious bother. However, I have to weigh up the enjoyment I get from paddling with the risk and I wouldn't be the person I am if I didn't paddle. I have the support of my wife/family and they trust me to make sensible decisions.

At the end of the day, if I'm concerned I walk away - the ocean will be there tomorrow and I want to be there to enjoy it!

In my opinion kayaking solo is not very different from kayaking with a group of 2 or more. The same rules apply. Travel within your limits. Assume no one will be there to rescue you. Be self sufficient. I completely agree with the judgment, judgment, judgment,... comment. Forget the flares, VHF, phones, etc. The day you rely on these are the day they will fail to do what you want. If you're human the ocean/weather is always capable of being more than you can handle. I'm not saying don't bring them but you need to guard against the propensity of them clouding your judgment. At the end of the day the old salt "there are bold bush pilots and there are bold bush pilots but there are no old, bold, bush pilots" pretty much sums it up.

It is interesting that there are quite a number of members that for one reason or another are involved in Solo Kayaking. I am not very experienced but "All" my kayaking so far has been solo. I was reading in another website an article by Simon Willis in which he says that one of the requirements of kayaking is, "to have someone as daft as you to paddle with, since only a kamikaze novice kayaker takes to the sea alone." (http://www.ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk/kayak_new_mt/art_kayak_new%20moutaineering.htm)
This is not a view that I hold myself mainly because it would be, I believe, impossible to find someone quite as mad as me! I wonder if he went climbing alone? I am 65 years old now and have found that being alone in any circumstance heightens the senses and that includes the sense of fear which is a great survival tool. When you are alone you have the freedom to go and do as you please and that is one of the main reasons why I venture
to the sea or hills.
To have a companion can be nice but they can also, and surprising often are, a hazard which at best will interfere with your aspirations and at worst endanger your life. My only advice is to take careful note of weather and tides. Rely on your instincts.

I think you better check your water line after all that gear has been added... LOL

I don't see the point of the compass when you probably know your way and have a GPS.. You haven't mentioned whistle (sound producing device), other VDS's such as flare gun, laser, or flag, and you haven't mentioned what kind of night lighting you have. I would be sure you know you territory, stay out of the way of comerical traffic and if water is at all cold, you may want to consider a wet suit....