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