In a message dated 7/22/2002 2:41:27 PM Pacific Standard Time, sh_at_actglobal.net writes: > Seven very experienced ocean paddlers went out for a scenic coastal paddle > yesterday in Santa Barbara, CA. The air temperature was in the high 70's > and > the water temp was 65-67. Everybody was wearing a lycra or poly pro rash > guard under a farmer john in addition to skirts and PFD's. > Steve and all, It wouldn't paddle at all if I had to wear a farmer john wetsuit everytime I paddled in Southern California. When I am surfing or practicing rescues, I wear a wetsuit for comfort because I am being immersed, but the few times I wore them while touring, I couldn't stand the heat. I never wore a single piece of immersion protection on any of my big crossings in Southern California (see <A HREF="http://geocities.com/strosaker/trip.html">Trip Reports</A> ), and I think that if I did, I would've had heat exhaustion or heat stroke by now. I don't even wear a wetsuit in the winter when the water and air temps are in the mid 50's. Of course, I pick my weather, brace and roll very well, and practice rescues, so chances are that I will never have to spend more than a few minutes in the water anyway. Again, I am only talking Southern California, which by the way is a colder paddling environment than most people think. Duane Strosaker *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Duane & everyone, None of the seven paddlers who were dressed for immersion was told to dress in any specific manner. This was there personal choice. I've known Duane Stosaker for several years and have paddled with him a number of times. Duane is not your everyday paddler. Very few have the skill set that he has. And if he were to capsize (which I've never seen him do by accident), his roll is the 2nd best that I have seen ;-) (he lost the rolling contest at our local club's first fest by 1/2 of a roll in 30 seconds--he did 12 1/2 full rolls and the winner did 13). I will also admit that on occasion, when the ocean is relatively flat, the forecast is for more of the same, and I am paddling with other experienced (especially in rescue techniques) paddlers, I too have worn shorts and a poly shirt. Last Sunday we didn't because there is always the chance of getting soaked while punching through or landing in Surf. What to wear is an individual choice, but usually, it is the beginners that one sees dressed inappropriately and they should be advised of the potential problems by their teachers and/or guides. Steve Holtzman ----- Original Message ----- From: <Strosaker_at_aol.com>> It wouldn't paddle at all if I had to wear a farmer john wetsuit everytime I > paddled in Southern California. When I am surfing or practicing rescues, I > wear a wetsuit for comfort because I am being immersed, but the few times I > wore them while touring, I couldn't stand the heat. I never wore a single > piece of immersion protection on any of my big crossings in Southern > California (see <A HREF="http://geocities.com/strosaker/trip.html">Trip Reports</A> ), and I think that if I did, I would've had > heat exhaustion or heat stroke by now. I don't even wear a wetsuit in the > winter when the water and air temps are in the mid 50's. Of course, I pick my > weather, brace and roll very well, and practice rescues, so chances are that > I will never have to spend more than a few minutes in the water anyway. > Again, I am only talking Southern California, which by the way is a colder > paddling environment than most people think. > > Duane Strosaker *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I am in the crowd that predominantly paddles without a wet or dry suit. I paddle in the NW (San Juans and British Columbia) I am an experienced paddler and accept these risks. Paddling in a wetsuit/drysuit takes too much of the pleasure away from me. I do not perceive that the paddling that I do is dangerous. I tend to paddle in a group and pay attention to weather conditions. I can roll reliably. I have advanced kayak skills. I am as familiar with the risks in the environment that I paddle as anyone. My decision is an "informed" one. Many people sea kayak without the ability to roll. Is that lunacy? There are lots of ingredients that go into safe paddling besides how you dress. Where you paddle. Understanding of tides/wind etc. Nature of your kayak. Length of crossing etc. One major risk is the drive to the put in. Ultimately it is safest not to kayak at all. There are times that I tolerate higher risks doing more "extreme" things. It is just a decision. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 06:48 PM 7/22/02 -0700, Robert Livingston & Pam Martin wrote: >Many people sea kayak without the ability to roll. Is that lunacy? If it is then we're all crazy because none of us knew how to roll when we first started kayaking. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
--- Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net> wrote: > What to > wear is an individual > choice, but usually, it is the beginners that one > sees dressed > inappropriately and they should be advised of the > potential problems by > their teachers and/or guides. On the other hand, their trips are usually shorter and closer to the car. If they progress slowly in doing tougher and tougher trips they will learn by experience before they do major crossings or more ambitious trips. I don't see it as all that much of a problem. If they are particularly reckless they are much more likely to die, just like they would be in pretty much any activity they might choose, especially outdoor ones. That is just how it is and should be. I do admit that beginners are more likely to underestimate the risks at first though. That naivete' makes the risks greater, but it also makes paddling an adventure which may be what they do it for. For some folks the perceived risks are what it is about. The thrill is the reason they paddle. I come from a whitewater background where this is particularly true. One of the main differences between whitewater and sea kayaking is that in WW the risks are more obvious so the perceived danger is greater than the actual danger in many cases. I think SK is the other way around, the dangers are probably as great but not as obvious. Pete Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Ultimately we place our bets and take our chances. This is not an armchair sport; just don't go into it blindly or think bad things don't happen to the best paddlers, let alone you. Kevin *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Last weekend I took my boat out for a spin early in the morning. It was cool and overcast. After a while I pulled onto a beach and grabbed my mask, snorkel, fins and spear out of my boat and took a swim looking for fish. I was clad in only a swimsuit. When I came out of the water I was shivering. I put my equipment back into the boat and continued paddling. I warmed right up. In retrospect I guess I was pretty lucky I didn't die. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
"Steve Holtzman" <sh_at_actglobal.net> wrote: >I've known Duane Stosaker for several years and have paddled with him a number of times. Duane is not your everyday paddler. Very few have the skill set that he has... I won't fault Duane for wearing less than what is commonly recommended. I'd paddle with him, even if he's under-dressed. He's also not advocating under-dressing in others. Same goes for Pete Staehling--what he wears in whitewater is his business. The average paddler, though, lacks the skills to avoid potential long-term immersion, and the experience to really know what is adequate. How many paddlers do we know wear inadequate immersion pro without doing a swim test? It's not an _educated_ decision. It's what we widely advocate for others that is the crux. Clothing MUST be warm enough for a capsize in conditions likely encountered. And this goes doubly for outfitters and instructors. Shawn Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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