Re: [Paddlewise] Of Clothing and Equipment...

A couple of new paddlers had some gear questions.

1. Sprayskirts - The best sprayskirt application depends upon the type
of paddling you intend to do, and upon water/air temperatures you plan
to paddle in, as has been mentioned recently. Some other considerations
to think about include the type/model of kayak you are using: lower
volume, smaller cockpited kayaks do not do so well with nylon spray
decks, yet in some of the larger touring kayaks available, you almost
don't need a spray skirt, other than to keep out the rain. Now of
course, you should always wear a sprayskirt, but the illustration does
reinforce the high performance imperative being dependent upon the boat.
I like the Bushsport/Phoenix skirts from the UK (all neoprene,
double-tubed with softer neoprene upper and suspenders. From the US,
Snapdragon neoprene skirts are ones you can't go wrong with; and from
Canada, I'd give serious consideration to some of the new Brooks skirts.
(I personally went out of my way at every symposium around five years
ago to tell Brooks representatives their products sucked big time, and
they were missing the boat in terms of r&d - glad they have seen the
light of late). Models available with real waterproof zippers offer some
interesting possibilities.

Footwear - Please avoid the temptation to wear rubber boots when
paddling. Treat sea kayaking as an in-water activity. If you must wear
rubber boots (which do admittedly add a wonderful level of convenience
to the paddler), scale way back on the levels of risk you are willing to
take. The report I'm working on regarding the paddler who died crossing
Georgia Strait recently with sail, well, he was found dead still wearing
his big rubber boots).

Gloves and Neoprene Hoods - Keep these precious life preserving items
available near at hand, preferably in a PFD pocket or some such
arrangement if separation from boat could be a possibility. The success
of emergency procedures in cold water depends upon two key elements: the
ability to cognate clearly and "think outside the box" (or is that the
boat?), and to maintain manual dexterity. The only time I really screwed
up solo paddling in rough water, was a time I had forgotten both the
above items, and desperately needed them. And you don't need to be a
solo, gonzo, hell-bent paddler to get into difficult situations.

Pogies - Don't get long ones with an overabundance of fabric from wrist
to mid-arm. Shorter pogies, utilizing a stiff fabric with a wide opening
that doesn't cave-in is a must for easy donning. It took me eight pairs
to finally find two I like (one neoprene NRS pair for winter, and a
Bomber Gear pair for warmer climes). Silly teeth-pull tabs are just
that, silly to use and cumbersome. As far as blisters, don't try any
weird concoctions or lotions or waxes or any such thing. Simply build up
callouses for longer trips, and if time restraints prevent that, do what
I do, be a big sissy and wear three-quarter length (fingerless) gloves
with minimum palm thickness'. LADIES, the best product for keeping your
hands nice n' purdy and moisturized, is a wonderful product used by
farmers called  "Udderly Smooth". It is a greaseless, protective hand
cream (www.uddercream.com). You can often get it at places that sell
sewing notions. I'm still trying to find an effective sun block/screen
that is greaseless _and_ affordable, that will permit me to keep a grip
on my paddle for all that gonzo stuff.

Technoweenie-ism - Don't get too caught up in all the gear stuff
(literally if you are like me and use tethers! :-)). Paddling should be
a liberating activity and lifestyle. While proper safety gear,
equipment, and a comfortable kayak ( or canoe or other paddlecraft) that
meets or exceeds your performance criteria, will enable greater
enjoyment within your chosen environment,  these items are (for me) only
a means to an end. The sea especially can enfold one in its limitless
vitality, rewarding the committed paddler with rejuvenation for body,
refilled enthusiasm for life's mental challenges, and requickened
vitality for the soul. Especially along the exposed coast, the song of
the surf reverberates through the air while the therapeutic caress of
the wind tingles at your face and eternal tides seemingly expand then
contract the foreshore, acknowledging a notion that we are all part of
something wondrously cosmic, mystical, and magnanimous.

Enjoy your progression through your paddlesports activity,  all you new
paddlers. Let us know how you are making out. Be alive, stay alive, but
love your rivers, lakes and oceans to death.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd

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