RE: [Paddlewise] Wetsuit for cool water??

Ralph D wrote:

> Fundamentally, a wet suit to dry suit switchover should occur in the mid
> 40s or sooner if you wish; and especially if the air is cool.

Ralph, I have to admit when I read this message, I thought you might be
trolling for debate. Apparently I was wrong, and I have to admire you're one
of the very few willing to post actual temperatures at which different
garments should be worn (with caveats).

My question (you knew this was coming, right?) is: Are these
temperature/garment recommendations based on your personal experience or
another source?

As a side note, my next door neighbor (a volunteer fireman) said he thought
my 3 mm wet suit to be good only down to 55 degree water temp. This is based
on some sort of training he received for his volunteer job, but I didn't
press him for specifics or question him on the validity of his statement.
Without all the other gear you mentioned (beanie, gloves, etc) this might be
in the right ballpark.

Second question (and open to all): Should the paddling community define some
"rules of thumb" for different types of clothing for varying water temps?
Would this be safer for new paddlers to understand? (vice the "jump in and
test it" advice)

Thanks,

Woody


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