| There is no reason to stop kayaking once the | | | | favorite hat to wear while cold weather paddling is a |
| weather turns cold… unless the water has frozen | | | | comfy fleece toque. If you are whitewater kayaking |
| over. If you are dressed properly cold weather | | | | then look for a thinner hat that will fit easily under |
| paddling can be invigorating and fun. It is simply a | | | | your helmet. |
| matter of wearing the right gear and keeping your | | | | Many kayakers love to use a wetsuit or a drysuit. |
| digits and toes dry and toasty. The major point to | | | | These can both be extremely effective in keeping |
| remember when kayaking in cold weather is to layer | | | | out the cold and wetness of winter paddling. There |
| your clothing. | | | | are a couple of differences between the two that |
| 1. First wear a layer of clothes that wicks the | | | | you need to be aware of though. |
| moisture away from your body such as a Hydroskin | | | | - A wetsuit is a one-piece suit that will trap your |
| shirt. | | | | body heat in to keep you warm. They are flexible |
| 2. Then if it is cold you will want an insulating layer | | | | and usually fairly comfortable and great to use in |
| such as a fleece or a sweater. | | | | temperatures of 50 degrees or higher. Most people |
| 3. Third wear a waterproof jacket and waterproof | | | | will use a wetsuit as a base layer and add insulating |
| pants. If you end up getting wet, no matter what | | | | layers on top. |
| you are wearing you will be very chilled. So it is | | | | - A drysuit is again a one-piece suit that not only |
| important to have this waterproof layer. | | | | keeps you warm but also keeps the water out. They |
| 4. Protect your feet, your hands. Proper | | | | are usually made with Gore-Tex and are completely |
| water-booties will keep your feet warm, dry and | | | | waterproof. Usually one would put insulating layers |
| happy. They still allow for the flexibility you may need | | | | underneath, but no matter what you wear under a |
| in your kayak or for walking on rocks while | | | | drysuit you can be sure that you will never ever feel |
| protecting your feet from potentially freezing water. | | | | the water. Drysuits can be extremely expensive so |
| If the weather is extremely cold you may want to | | | | unless you’re a hard core cold weather paddler, |
| add some watersport socks for extra insulation. A | | | | a wetsuit will probably work just fine. |
| good pair of winter kayaking gloves will allow your | | | | |
| hands to stay dry and protected. Again if the | | | | There is no reason to be worried about keeping |
| weather is extremely cold you could add some glove | | | | warm and dry while cold weather kayaking. There is |
| liners for extra warmth. | | | | ample gear available for all types of kayaking |
| 5. The last thing to remember is to always keep your | | | | weather. If you can keep warm and dry you will |
| head warm! If you are not protecting your head in | | | | likely find cold weather paddling to be an awesome |
| the cold weather your body will lose a lot of heat. My | | | | experience. |