Re: [Paddlewise] Wetsuits, Poly Undies, and trying not to die in Rosario Strait

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2001 21:11:02 -0800
Ken Schroeter wrote:
> 
> Silly question: I was of the understanding that wetsuits should be worn next
> to the skin with no intervening layers, and that additional cold weather
> clothing should be worn over it.  Some one suggested to me that polypro long
> underwear could be worn under the wetsuit, and was better than wearing it
> over a wetsuit.
> 
> Which is better?

Both work.  If there is room under the rubber, insulation there will be more
effective, inasmuch as fleece outside the rubber will carry water exposed to
air and you will lose heat through evaporative cooling.  If there is not room
under the rubber, then probably outside is better, because the fleece may be
too compressed to trap water.  Basically, OTBE, the greater the total
thickness, the better off you are.  Try your fleece both ways and report back,
OK?

> BTW, just finished Gronseth and Broze's "Deep Trouble".  I think I will
> pretty much not kayak in the Puget Sound area during the winter... It seems
> to, well, suck.  It seems like there are a lot of dangerous experiences
> there.  Is this something more widespread, or is it related to the high
> numbers of kayakers up there?

I bet you are actually referring to the San Juans, not "Puget Sound," because
the greatest proportion of "incidents" in Puget Sound in DT are in the San
Juans.  Reason for the seemingly greater number of incidents?  Maybe high
numbers, and maybe a high proportion of folks who are relatively new to the
sport.  To be fair, other popular places I have paddled, such as Barkley Sound,
also have a very high proportion of newer paddlers.  However, Barkley Sound
(Brokens, anyway) is "tamer" and it is tougher to get into trouble.  Others
with more experience in the San Juans may have a better handle on this.  

Matt Broze?

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Thu Feb 22 2001 - 21:12:38 PST

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