Re: [Paddlewise] Reasons to wear cold water gear

on 12/25/00 8:17 PM, MJAkayaker_at_aol.com at MJAkayaker_at_aol.com wrote:

Snip
> I'll still get laughed at for "overdressing" down here and most of the time I
> probably do have on more than I need.  But ever now and then that cold water
> (yes I know 56 is summer water for most of you up north) clothing comes in
> handy despite the air temp.  Anyway it gives me more incentive to practice my
> rolls in order to cool off.
snip

Mark,

Let them laugh.  Up here in Washington State I "over dress" with my Gortex
dry suit in the summer even if the temperature is in the 80s.  Like you,
I'll use the water to cool off.  I've learned to stay very comfortable in my
dry suit any time of the year.

I teach a tidal rapids class and we require that the students wear dry suits
(provided by us if they don't have one).  It's not unusual for for students
to ask if they really need to wear a dry suit.  I can recall a couple
different students from southern California who tried to talk me into
letting them use their wet suit shorty.  After the class, which can result
in a few capsizes and rescues :), I only hear nice things about dry suits.

Rex

Over dressed and proud of it.

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