Cold Water Paddling

I mentioned my 40 degree rule in my last post. I am going to talk about winter paddling and safety in this post.

One of the best sources for cold water safety is the National Center for Cold Water Safety. In general, they recommend cold water gear for water temperatures below 60 degrees. Aside from hypothermia, the main concern is cold shock.

The above images are from the Center for Cold Water Safety. 

I have my own rules that I follow for cold water paddling in Pierreadise. My rules are the air temperature is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit (I will cheat on this rule on occasion if the air temperature is in the upper thirties), wind speed is calm or low (probably under 15mph, minimal or no waves/chop), and preferably sunny rather than overcast.

For water temperatures under 50 degrees Fahrenheit, I wear my drysuit. I own a Kokatat Supernova semi-drysuit. It is considered a semi-drysuit because it has a neoprene neck rather than latex. I figure that my pfd will help me keep my head above the water enough that the semi-drysuit is sufficient. Also, the neoprene neck is much more comfortable. I generally wear Vaikobi VCold long sleeve shirt and pants and neoprene socks under the drysuit. I also have a NRS product )wavelight) similar to the Vaikobi VCold top and bottom. Any good cold weather base layer would work well. I also wear neoprene booties over the built-in socks on my drysuit. I use Stohlquist pogies instead of gloves. I also wear a Filson insulated packer hat (it has an ear flap to keep my ears warm). I always wear a pfd no matter air or water temperature and carry my cellphone in a water proof case. I have recently started carrying my spot device for cold water paddling. I figure I am paying for it for races and long paddles, so I might as well carry it just in case.

Between 50 and 60 degree water temperatures, I transition to wearing thin neoprene pants, shirts (NRS Hydroskin and Vaikobi products), then non-cotton tights, shorts, rashguard shirts.

It is also good to know how to self rescue. Between renting the Oahe YMCA Aquatic Center over the renter and taking some extra time after a timed 5k, I probably practice remounting my surfski and touring boats a handful of times a year.