Re: [Paddlewise] Coldwater test/bodyfat/future fitness

> I noted an interesting difference between paddler sizes, I believe
> corelated to body fat. Comparably dressed larger "corn fed" males were
> easier to deal with in the water. They clambered back into their boats
> needing little assistance. The smaller, ahem, "petit" females were
> typically short of breath and close to a cold water induced panic. The
> females in question were arguably in "better" shape (track runners) vs the
> pudgy lineman males. Yet the males were calmer, and able to pull off more
> difficult rescues: Reenter/roll, etc.

Ratio of surface area vs mass.    Higher mass gives higher heat generating 
potential, ie, more muscle tissue flexing and burning those carbs.   Add a 
wetsuit into the mix, and a stocky guy like me (5'8", 210lbs, 38" waist, 45" 
chest) can break a sweat under heavy exertion even in pretty cold water.   
Of course, this doesn't prevent that shocking sensation when you first hit 
the cold water.... vavavavvavavavavavavava

> are we neglecting our bodies need for an appropriate layer of fat? Without
> all of our technical gear, could we survive a freezing cold night sitting
> on the side of the river waiting for help?

I could, and have.  Though sitting is unwise, stay active and you stay warm.
Push ups work good for me. Sit-squats would also do good..

> I guess the reason I am so concerned about coldwater is that I do live in
> MN as the saying goes the water is either frozen or getting there. I live
> here, I paddle here, I should be prepared for life-here. I had no problems
> in the water, should I worry about that little layer of body fat? If I
> lose it will I be noticeably colder? My BMI is a clean 22. The charts say
> that I am at the upper limit of healthy people. Pro's and cons of lowering
> body fat? 5'8" tall,  31 in. waist, 39 inch chest, 145lbs.

The charts and definition of "healthy" are medical things.  Usually 
measured by mortality rates.  IE, if body configuration A lives longer 
than body configuration B, then A is healthier.   No accounting is taken
of whether "B" can lift three times the weight "A" can, or whether "B" could 
swim a mile in 48F water and "A" would get hypothermia and die before 
even making it half way.

FWIW, I don't object to folks who want to measure their health against a 
mortality table; as long as they don't object to folks like myself who 
couldn't care less about maximizing life span.  [I could rant on this for a 
while...  gak!]


Richard Walker
Houston, TX
http://www.neosoft.com/~rww/kayak_log.html
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