Weather conditions that may arise on the seaward side of Vesterålen require that kayaks be seaworthy and have good buoyancy. Traditional sea kayaks rigged for ocean paddling are very suitable. Check your kayak and equipment before you arrive. In order to avoid problems associated with some of the lightest racing kayaks which do not perform well in rough seas, there are certain safety specifications concerning buoyancy and stability that must be observed.
These requirements are included in the competition regulations.

Average precipitation is less than 70 mm for the months of July and August. In addition there is normally little wind, the normal being 2.6 m/s, and windless days average about 20% for this season of the year. We have, however, experienced winds over 20 m/s in previous arrangements.
Temperature sea: 8–15 degrees °C 

Temperature air: 8–25 degrees °C