- The written acknowledgement by his/her club safety officer that he/she is competent to paddle in open ocean races if and where required by the race committee
- The wearing of a PFD (CSA approved). It must be bright in colour
- A leash in sound working order, and must be attached to the body and to a safe point on the craft, preferably the foot strap.
- The CSA number of the paddler of the craft to be affixed to the craft on either side of the front deck.
- A cell phone with enough airtime, a fully charged battery, the race emergency number loaded, in a waterproof pouch, housed in a pocket of the PFD, per paddler.
- NSRI SafeTRX loaded and activated on the cell phone.
- A whistle. Of the variety that can operate while wet.
- Brightly colored clothing, including a cap (if worn).
- A minimum of 30% of the deck of the ski must be covered in a bright colored paint or a bright colored (preferably luminous) decal. Or, 1000mm of the nose and tail of the ski must be painted a bright colour).
- A bright colored decal on the back of each blade of the paddle.
THE RACE SAFETY COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO STOP A PADDLER FROM PADDLING THE RACE, SHOULD WE DEEM THIS PADDLER NOT SUFFICIENTLY PROFICIENT OR EXPERIENCED FOR THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS.