[Paddlewise] Hot WX paddling

	Hi Ralph D, and my other American friends... perhaps a little input from
Australia on hot weather paddling.  I must say I appreciate the broad range
of experiences from PaddleWisers in various parts of the world.
	Down here in OZ most of us spend more time in 'hot' environments than
cold.  For example, the sea temperature right now, off my 'patch' of the
Pacific Ocean is 17 degrees C, and it is the middle of winter.
	A few observations.
	Hats or caps with a Foreign Legion type neck and ears protector are de
rigeur for many kayaking folks here.  You may not be a fashion statement
with such gear, but it sure beats getting sunburn, or worse, sunstroke.

	I have dumped cotton from my seagoing wardrobe, except for wearing UNDER
my wetsuit.  As Ralph has remarked, the 'safety range' of cotton is limited
in these days of more technical clothing.  My experience is that cotton
gets wet, stays wet, does not screen the sun, gets cold, gets heavy,  does
not dry overnight in camp, in other words is only suitable over a small
range of temperatures in absolutely perfect weather, night and day.
	I learned, and have tried the moisture retaining qualities of cotton under
a wetsuit. Cotton undergarments actually boost the water retention, heating
ability of the neoprene.  In other words helps retain that  layer of body
warmed water which makes wetsuits work.  With the marvellous range of
highly wickable,  quick drying, wind resistant, light, hard wearing outdoor
gear available today, I can see no room for cotton apart from this wetsuit
use.
	I believe if you get hot, AND you sweat, and you replace your liquid
losses, or better overcompensate, by 'force' drinking water at normal
temperature, you may get uncomfortable, but that does not give you an
excuse for taking off your PFD. 
	Other folks going into hostile environments , ie, firemen, police, the
military, don't take their protection off when they get hot.
	  But I know that some people who are not used to hot weather may find
difficulty in sweating and that can lead to other difficulties in high
temperatures.  Perhaps a PaddleWiser with medical training can help here
with advice.
	I have found that 'dunking' in the sea to cool off is but temporary
relief,  and OK if you are just out there paddling for an hour or two.  But
I find salt water on the skin after a few hours can be terribly irritating,
especially sitting in it in a wetsuit!  I believe also this salt layer over
your skin makes it more prone to burn, and also reduces the effectiveness
of the sunscreen which of course you have liberally applied to avoid skin
cancer!  Regards, Peter Rattenbury, Wollongong NSW

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