Mark and Gang, I paddle Lake Superior and have a Hydro Skin setup (I have the long pants, a short-sleeved shirt and a long-sleeved shirt), I also have a GoreTex drysuit. By July I am wearing the Hydro Skin. July can get pretty damn hot. This is an important but, this is what I wear when I am paddling the North Shore or the Apostle's. If I was undertaking a longer crossing, paddling during stormy weather or dicey conditions, or even solo, I would wear the drysuit which I at least always pack in case these conditions arise. July can also bring some pretty nasty storms. The BWCA storm was on the weekend of the 4th and we're lucky we didn't loose anyone during that little blow. I also carry a drytop in my cockpit kneetube when I am wearing the Hydro Skin in case the weather turns inclement. Would I survive if I had to swim a couple of miles in nothing but Hydro Skin? Maybe not, but I try to avoid that and the conditions that would cause such an unfortunate demise. In other words, always take as many options as you can. Then again, you'd be surprised at what you see people wearing on Superior. -Patrick At 8:55 AM -0500 4/3/01, Mark Mastalski wrote: >[SNIP] > Where I run into trouble is when I'm trying to figure out what to >wear on a July 4th paddle in Lake Superior. The air may be 80 >degrees, but darn that water is still plenty cold. Certainly I'd >love to be wearing Hydro Skin on such a warm day, but if immersion >were to occur, I'm guessing that the Hydro Skin would not provide >sufficient core warmth. Do some of you always wear a dry suit to >protect against immersion, regardless of the air temperature? > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Apr 03 2001 - 22:11:20 PDT
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