It is interesting to read about all you east coasters and the lengths you have to go to keep warm. I was practicing pathetic newbie rolls, but mostly wet exits last week in Newport Harbor here in CA with just a t-shirt and trunks. I would like to ask the list if you could give me an idea of about how far you paddle when you can get out there. Is there a minimum or a maximum you usually paddle just for a work out. I have been paddling about three times a week, but I have no clue as to how far most people paddle. I'd like to have some idea so I'll know if I could keep up with a group should I ever try. Thank Mark Sanders *************************************************************************** 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 would like to ask the list if you could give me an idea of about > how far you paddle when you can get out there. I'm not one of the better paddlers in the forum, but depending on my route for the day and what kind of mood I'm in, I'll go as little as 3 NM or as much as 15 NM. But, I'm currently in a very inefficient boat, so the 15 NM really wears me out and I'm generally shot for the day as far as doing anything else. A lot of it also depends on weather (wind speed, wind direction, etc). As a note, I don't worry too much about distance or speed. I measure my paddles by the fun factor. Rick *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Sanders" <sandmarks_at_attbi.com> Subject: [Paddlewise] General Question > It is interesting to read about all you east coasters and the lengths you > have to go to keep warm. I was practicing pathetic newbie rolls, but mostly > wet exits last week in Newport Harbor here in CA with just a t-shirt and > trunks. I would like to ask the list if you could give me an idea of about > how far you paddle when you can get out there. Is there a minimum or a > maximum you usually paddle just for a work out. I have been paddling about > three times a week, but I have no clue as to how far most people paddle. I'd > like to have some idea so I'll know if I could keep up with a group should I > ever try. Thank Mark Sanders Mark, I too am a Southern CA paddler and a member of a great kayaking club called California Kayak Friends or CKF (www.ckf.org). We have paddles for all levels of skills from absolute beginner to the most advanced paddlers. The club is also offering reduced rates on some classes from some of the better local outfitters. Check out the web site and see if any of that interests you. In answer to your questions about how far most of us paddle, it depends a lot on where you are paddling. For most of the coastal day trips that I do, the range is typically 10 - 15 NM with 12 NM being about the average. Some days, we just go and play around and don't really put on any miles--just practice our skills. One thing concerns me though--Our water is still cold this time of year (about 50 deg). Shorts and a "T" shirt are not adequate protection in our waters. If you have to do a wet exit and the boat blows away, sinks, or whatever, your survival time is still measured in minutes. If there is any chance that any of the paddlers I paddle with feel we will be in the water, we wear farmer john wetsuits, rash guards, and scuba booties or Chota's. This plus a PFD and if it is cold enough, a fleece or padding jacket. COTTON KILLS--stay away from it. It will never dry out. Not too long ago a new member of the club joined us on a 14 mile round trip in the Santa Barbara area. He was wearing Goretex paddling pants and a cotton T shirt and paddling a SOT. While landing at our 1/2 way point, he capsized in the surf. When it was time to paddle home, he put his wet shirt back on and very shortly was shivering uncontrollably. Another paddler gave him a dry polypro shirt to put on and I loaned him a paddling jacket. Without those, we would have been severely hypothermic. If you want to talk to me about this or any other paddling questions, my phone number is listed in the CKF pages on the who to contact page. I am one of the coordinators for Ventura County. Steve Holtzman *************************************************************************** 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, 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. *************************************************************************** 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 don't measure distance when I paddle, but I go by hours. I like about 4 to 5 hours at a time. I have to drive an hour and half each way to get to Lake Ponchartrain, so I want to be on the water longer than I am driving. Otherwise, it just feels weird. Marsanne *************************************************************************** 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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