At 21:57 -0400 05/17/01, Bob Denton wrote: >I'm losing you here? Sandy purchased a 2mm/1mm (Not a farmer John...1mm >AND 2mm) wet suit to paddle California?! I stated that the last time I >got wet in Cal, was in a 7MM wet suit, albeit diving, and found the >water temperature brutal. Before I moved to Florida, I could dive 76-77F >without a wet suit..now I need a 3mm suit for the low 80s! Dear Bob and Friends, Yes, your are right that a 2mm/1mm shortie is not sufficient for paddling until the water is pretty warm at surface (70 or so IMHO). As I said paddle in the warmest thing you can stand. As far as panning a farmer john 3mm, you did not do it, My apologies for my errors. As far as using a 7 mm full suit for kayaking Califormia (north or south?) right now, I believe my analysis of issues holds well. As far as waveskiing, wetsuits are notoriously poor at resisting wind chill. Perhaps you and I are also relatively far apart on the cold sensitivity scale as well. As a follower of the way of the walrus :-), I have been known to comfortably bask for 15 minutes in waters that send fashion models running after a one minute dip, (true story, spring waterfall pools in western MA). Note that most fashion models in this society are very thin, and are not likely to have eaten much within the past few hours. I was mostly writing for the newbies who might really think that a 7mm full suit is a wise investment for a typical sea kayaker, and I do not believe that. One would have greatly diminished mobility in such a suit. If you are in skilled company, have been practicing your rescues, and are not pushing your skill levels too far, I would recommend an $80 rainbow farmer john, and an inexpensive paddling jacket, and the polartec sitting in the closet, if you wanted to go cheap in waters over 55. If you are a newbie and do not meet the three conditions above, think twice about your safety, regardless of your gear. I would not recommend going cheap on the jacket, but I am not in charge of the universe [and there was much rejoicing ;-) ]. Booties and head protection as well at the lower end of that range. Again I believe the practices outlined at the end of my previous post are safe and will lead to sound decisions and equipment investments. If a paddler is not comfortable after ten minutes of immersion, they are underdressed (IMHO), (unless they are doing a short paddle in very safe conditions, have major skills and experience, and use their weather radio and their eyes, like religions objects). If I were forced to consistently use a full 7mm wet suit for kayaking, with air and water temperatures of 60 degrees, I wouldn't go kayaking :-(. If I were diving to 90 feet with a 70 degree surface water temperature in the US, I would plan on a couple of heavy thermoclines as well as a general temperature drop, and a water temp of 50 degrees or less at depth (quite common); I would want a heavy full suit. I do not want to get into a flaming situation and am truly sorry for my errors. I make no apologies for my general analysis and recommendations. People of different constitutions, sensitivities, metabolisms, ages, skills, and standard practices will have differing needs and views. All the best, Peter Kalanzis *************************************************************************** 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 Fri May 18 2001 - 07:46:54 PDT
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