I recently purchased a used K-Light and I'm ready to travel. I will be going to wild and exotic places like Newark and Pensauken NJ on business and wondered if anyone has suggestions for clothing. My usual paddle gear consists of a T-shirt, Bathing suit and occasionally, water socks. What is the most cost effective, packable cold water gear? A wet suit is not an option: too bulky. Thanks! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I travel with a Khatsalano on business trips to watery places. Its always good to hear of other kayakers mixing business wtih paddling. I just love the stares I get when I carry my two peice greenland paddle on the plane. For cold water paddling, I bring a thin paddle jacket, wet suit shorts, and a light wetsuit vest. If its cold out, I'll bring a polypro shirt to wear under the vest. I fit all of the above plus my PFD in the bag with my boat. Many people on this list would consider the above clothing inadequate for cold water paddling. The above clothing, however, is the same stuff I wear for the frigid winter conditions up here in the Northwest -- unless I'm planning to spend lots of time upside down (like in white water kayaking or surfing), in which case I wear a dry suit with a layer of medium weight polypro underneath. I have never understood how people can paddle a sea kayak all day in a dry suit or bundled up in thick polypro/wetsuit combinations. The heat exhaution would kill me if I dressed for an extended dunk in frigid water. I have always thought that the key is to realistically apraise how long your self rescues would take, and dress to survive and function that long. For example, my light 2 peice wet suit will not support an extended swim. It will let me survive the few minutes it would take me to get back in my boat should my roll fail (which hasn't happened in quite a while). And I know I can get back in my boat in cold water since I practice my paddle float re-entry roll on a regular basis (in cold water as well). Yes, a wet exit followed by separation from my boat would definitely kill me. But, if the conditions make that event reasonably possible (i.e. very high winds and rough conditions), I would either stay on shore or get my dry suit. --Tim > -----Original Message----- > From: Bob Denton [SMTP:BDenton_at_aquagulf.com] > Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 1998 8:06 AM > To: 'Paddlewise' > Subject: [Paddlewise] cold water for warm water paddler? > > I recently purchased a used K-Light and I'm ready to travel. I will be > going > to wild and exotic places like Newark and Pensauken NJ on business and > wondered if anyone has suggestions for clothing. > > My usual paddle gear consists of a T-shirt, Bathing suit and occasionally, > water socks. > > What is the most cost effective, packable cold water gear? A wet suit is > not > an option: too bulky. > > Thanks! > ************************************************************************** > * > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > ************************************************************************** > * *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Bob Denton wrote: > > I recently purchased a used K-Light and I'm ready to travel. I will be going > to wild and exotic places like Newark and Pensauken NJ on business and > wondered if anyone has suggestions for clothing. > > My usual paddle gear consists of a T-shirt, Bathing suit and occasionally, > water socks. > > What is the most cost effective, packable cold water gear? A wet suit is not > an option: too bulky. Bob, Just wear your ordinary wear. You will be fine...honest...just make certain to will me your K-Light! :-) Actually you can get away with one of those Polartec 2000 suits made by Body Glove, Henderson, US Diver, O'Neill et al. Cost around $200 for a one piece suit. They are nice and stretchy and therefore comfortable. Supposedly the equivalent of 3 mm of neoprene. Given you are traveling etc. and are looking for a modicum of cold water protection it would work decently enough. You are not likely to be needing to roll in that boat. You can get back in without needing a paddle float, etc. Wear a paddle jacket over it and you will be just fine. The polartec suit folds down good and flat if there is room problem. I also noticed in the latest TravelSmith catalog a bag that is meant to fit fluffy stuff like regular Polartec into a very small space. You close it (I guess similar to a drybag) and it has a one way air valve that pushes air out as you press down. It isn't a dry bag but a super sophisticated side open stuff sack with a way of expelling out air. It looks like it would make the suit compress down real small. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
That's a good suggestion about the Henderson. I have one which I use for diving..a little faded but I wouldn't rate it anywhere near a 3mm neoprene..maybe 1.5 to 2 at best. I also use a neoprene "reef" vest when it's too cool for the Henderson alone. Cool for me means water temperatures below 82F! Another good suggestion on the stuff sack. BTW, a good source for these types of gear is Performance Diver, sister company to Performance Cycle. cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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