Heya,
So, for a long time when I kayak (and fish from my kayak) I always took a camera. But I started out with water proof P&S's. They are ok. But they don't get the quality shots that you'll crave if you're already used to shooting SLR with a fast telephoto. So I stopped worrying about it, and just take my gear.
I take my EOS-M and 22F2 all the time when I'm out boating. Great little camera, great quality, prime aperture for when I want separation, otherwise I stop down for DOF. I kayak with it always, in my shirt pocket no less, I don't worry about getting wet, I just don't have it out when I'm taking on spray or waves or actively paddling. I take it out after I've stopped or when I'm done paddling or landed the fish already, etc.
EOS-M + 22F2 when I'm out boating:
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I've kayaked with a junk Rebel & fast telehpoto prime with a CPL and I enjoyed that. I didn't worry about the water. I just made sure I was shooting when I was not actively getting hit with large waves or sprays, and I had a dry bag that I kept it in.
650D + 200 F2.8L + CPL + Rubber Collapsible Lens Hood (big), I just kept it in a dry bag between my legs while I moved around. This is a snap from my GoPRO mounted on the Kayak.
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I then moved to my 1D2 (cheaper than a Rebel!) because I wanted a FAST aggressive AF SLR that I didn't care if I ruined, and attached my fast telephoto prime to it (also cheap). This time I added a 2.0x TC, so I was kayaking with my 1D2 and a 200 F2.8L prime + Kenko 2.0x TC (all black setup, very fast AF, sharp). My 1D2 was like $280 from KEH. My 200 prime was cheap, $250 here on POTN, as it had lamination separation issues (which have zero effect on image quality), and my Kenko TC I bought new, it was cheap on Amazon and is fast and sharp.
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And I do stuff like like this on overcast, cold windy, dark mornings with fog/mist:
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It's way better of course on a beautiful day, but this is just from this week.
I use a dry bag, and I just put my setup in there and keep it between my legs. I have fast access to it and I setup my shots. I don't panic when I know I can't get it out fast enough, I just enjoy the moment and miss the shot. When I have 30 seconds to prepare, I get it out of the bag and set myself up. I love shooting from the kayak. It's a different world of challenging and puts a ton of emphasis on the AF capabilities of a camera (you and your target are moving complex directions and you have to line it up), and it really makes you appreciate speed of shutter, so I push ISO hard to keep my shutter fast.
Don't worry so much about it! Obviously don't dunk it. And don't have it out during your movements. Get it out when you know it's safe enough. And don't stress it. I've done it for years and never lost gear. I have broken filters. But never lost a camera nor lens. Just don't swap lenses! I just take two cameras (EOS-M and a SLR with telephoto).
Very best,
