Most of the folks I know using Dry Suits around the shores of Vancouver Island find them too hot for touring, even in winter, so use them for other paddling activities, keeping the neck seals tight for surfing, etc. Nookie two-piece Dry Suits are popular here, but again, prove too hot for touring (and expensive). The term "dry suit" is a bit of a misnomer, too. After a couple of hours of hard paddling out at Race Rocks in the big tide races, the above suited ladies and gents are soaking from perspiration. Goretex helps, but not much. Interestingly, during Summer tide play, once one's insulation is wet and thermal efficiency reduced, the right comfort level is achieved...until the sun sneaks behind some clouds for awhile. For touring or sustained rough water paddling, you should try to stay dry and comfortable. A base layer of poly-pro with medium fleece over that, wicks away moisture from the skin's surface, transporting it to the outer layer of the fleece. At rest stops, you can partially undo the suit, then shake off the layer of moisture off the outer surface of fleece. Those who go long distance in their dry suits, really need a comfortable fit around their neck. You don't want to cut of any circulation, as it were, and require a minimum preponderance of suffocation, especially if you are prone to vertigo, queasiness, etc. I've seen wooden rings used to keep the neck seal open where danger of constant dousing is minimal. This also allows some much needed ventilation. I've never asked how these rings go on, or where they can be bought or made. There are as many neck anatomies as there are clothing color combinations in the sea kayaking community. To get a good fit that is not too tight, but provides an acceptable level of protection, don't arbitrarily start cutting subsequently lower rings. Rather, cut a ring or two off if it is really tight fit, then experiment with cutting a half ring at a time. You need a sharp scalpel and good cutting surface. I use a thick cardboard cylinder form. As new latex seals will loosen a bit with time, err on the side of slightly tight. I use a dry top, rather than a dry suit (for 40 deegree water and above with air temperatures not lower than freezing), but the principle is the same. I have been able to achieve a nice balance between comfort and hydraulic protection. I do a lot of "touring" in rough water, and usually do a few rolls "accidently-on-purpose". I also do a couple of re-entry and rolls here and there, to stay dialed in. As the neck seal is just a bit on the loose side, I normally do up the neoprene over-seal, which prevents water entry to a very acceptable level. One of the biggest advantages with a dry suit or dry top for paddling waters that are a bit on the trashy side, is that your forearms of your jacket don't fill up with water because of the lack of a good wrist seal. I just hate it with regular paddling jackets that fill up, then, just as you throw that high brace, cold water runs down your torso. A number of my paddling friends (there are a few who still paddle with me these days) have bought semi-dry tops that have latex wrist seals, but retain the regular neoprene velcroed neck closure for touring. My dry top is made by Navarro, using Sympatex (a block copolymer membrane). As it has no pores, no clogging occurs. The fabric allows a natural unencumbered movement. Gone are the days of long, rough water passages where my previously stiffer jackets caused horrible, painful chaffing. I wear a thin layer of poly pro, with an additional layer of fleece over that, depending upon air temp and wind. I use the Navarro "Eddie Pullover Fleece" - a sea-going fleece pullover that uses a lighter fleece weight in the arms, and thicker fleece for the core area. I don't work for these guys, put you can check them out at <www.navarrogear.com>. I combine the above with a custom fit 3mm Farmer John. It has no "dead spaces" and is very warm. I use Navarro nylon pants with neoprene ankle and waist closures for extra thermal protection ontop of wet suit (especially in wind). I have a selection of four different weights of poly pro for various conditions and layering options. I give preference to manufactures that avoid the use of seams at high chaffing areas. On my early April failed crossing of Queen Charlotte Sound, we spent eight hours on the water, of which six hours were in gale conditions and breaking seas. I was towing hard for most of the six hours. The Sympatex breathed beautifully, even with its surface soaked. I wasn't cozy, but I wasn't cold either. The other strong paddler in the group of three was wearing a 3mm wetsuit, poly-pro, a fleece jacket, *and* a top grade nylon dry suit by Kokatat. He was very cold when we were rescued. The third and weaker paddler was wearing an older MEI neoprene cuffed paddling jacket, poly pro and 3mm wet suit. He was hypothermic when rescued. The paddler in the dry suit had a tight neck seal and was in great discomfort on the coast guard life boat. Kayaking is fun. Kayaking in rougher conditions is serious fun. It requires some serious thought and maybe some serious experimentation. Much of what one reads about with respect to kayaking apparel is theoretical and artificial. Some of it is just plain BS. I've been very encouraged to read the comments and "tests" and accounts by Paddlewisers. What we wear at sea (or in the sea, as the case may be) is important. Talk of rough water is not just macho machinations. The skills needed and the gear worn have great bearing, as even the safest paddlers can get caught in a serious situation (see Sea Kayaker, June 1999 issue, death of Lone Madsen). PS Fellow Paddlewiser, Matt Broze, will hopefully be doing a safety article on the failed crossing of Queen Charlotte Sound/Strait. The three men involved, including myself, submitted our accounts to him, to be part of a future issue in SK Magazine. BC'in YA Doug Lloyd ( A kayak enthusiast, not an expert) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu May 06 1999 - 22:18:51 PDT
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