Re: [Paddlewise] Wet suits/dry suits

Michael Daly wrote:

> "Thomas M. Heineman" wrote:
> >
> > Any thoughts on when you need a wet suit vs. a dry suit.  Lake Michigan
> > is now 53 degrees and dropping rapidly.
> >
> > I need to buy a wet suit and/or dry suit and am curious what the
> > guidelines are.
> >
>
> I've worn both wet and dry suits and definitely prefer the dry suit in
> cold conditions.  I keep the wet suit (farmer john) for marginal
> conditions in the summer and the dry suit for the other three
> seasons.
>

I agree with the above comments from Mike with a few additions.  I know that you
should dress for the water temp and not the air temp, but I prefer a wetsuit
when air temps are above 50 F because otherwise you have to spend an awful lot
of time rolling to cool off in a dry suit.  The exception would be when you
expect a good thrashing in surf or whitewater regardless of whether you exit
your boat.

When I teach a sea kayaking class I describe the difference between a wetsuit
and a dry suit in these terms.  On multi-day late season trips on Lake Superior
the wet suit procedure is as follows: awake to the morning frost and pickup your
wet-wet suit which is stiff as board leaning frozen against a tree.  Beat the
wet suit against the tree until you can get it to fold a little.  Melt some of
the ice crystals by warming the wet suit over the fire.  Strip down to your
trunks in icy weather and slide the frosty wet suit over your bare skin.  It
helps to make barking dog or seal-like noises, and jumping up and down helps you
warm the suit.  After about 15 minutes of agony you are warm and comfy.

Dry suit procedure.  Crawl out of your sleeping bag in your warm fuzzy pile
clothes.  Slide into your warm dry comfy Gortex dry suit which is at the foot of
your bed.  Have breakfast while warm and dry and then put on your PFD and go.
Anyone who has done the late October jumping and barking routine no longer
contests that the cost of a Gortex drysuit is worth the benefits!

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