RE: [Paddlewise] General Question

Steve,

Thanks for responding to my question. Yes, I have heard of CKF and have
thought about joining, although it seems most of your activities are in the
Ventura area. Still it would be fun to check out other paddling areas and
the discounts on classes are nice. I don't understand the $25 rebate that's
being offered though. I wonder if the water temp. varies much from where you
are to where I am. According the the paper, our water temps. are in the 58
and 59 range. Still chilly, but I've spent a lot of time in that cold of
water, as I've spent most my life in this area, body surfing etc. as well as
swimming in Lake Tahoe which is really cold water. At 265lbs I have what
probably amounts to more isulation than a wet suit. I don't know the water
temp. differential between out side the harbor and inside, but I was doing
my wet exit practice off a beach on Balboa Island and spent over an hour in
the water with no noticable effects. When I kayak outside the harbor, I
never go more offshore than I could easily swim. I wear neoprene booties and
carry neoprene gloves and wear my PFD, but that's about it. I imagine if I
paddled more in the outer waters that the temps might dip considerably. I
have purchased a wetsuit vest of the internet that I'm waiting to arrive as
it's not all that easy to find things to fit people my size. I don't want to
dismiss the fear of cold water, I've been reading alot of posts that deal
with it, but I don't suffer much from being cold. I've paddled pretty much 3
times a week throughout the winter and the only times I've worn a coat was
when it was raining. I do avoid cotton and if I can give a plug, Wal-Mart
sells 'Starter' t-shirts in a polyester moisture wicking material for less
than $12 even for people my size. I find them great for paddling. Well those
are my feelings on the subject. I'd like to hear what you think of them. In
the meantime I will try to rethink my idea about getting stuck out in the
cold water, maybe do some testing with someone around to haul out my carcass
if I'm wrong.


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