On 9 Jun 2005 at 10:41, Bob Denton wrote: > I haven't been wet yet, but I assumed I'd be looking for either a dry > suit or something to complement my Gore-Tex Kokatat semi dry top > (which I only wore once in mid winter). > > Any suggestions from cold water paddlers? Georgian Bay is considered warm if the water temps below surface are 57F. The surface is usually quite warm in summer, but you go down a couple of feet and the temp is quite chilly. Swimming means floating near the surface unless you're fairly close to shore (where it gets warm deeper). So my experience is with these kinds of water temps (or colder) a lot of the time. Given this water temperature, paddling attire depends more on air temperature. If it's _hot_ out and swimming weather, you can get away with just a bathing suit and T-shirt _IF_ you are sure that you're not going to be out of the kayak in deep water for long. Note the _IF_. This also assumes you are not going to have a heart attack if you hit cold water (i.e you are healthy). I've practiced wet exits in these conditions with just a bathing suit. While not comfortable, it isn't debilitating and you warm up quickly once back in the kayak. If you're with other good paddlers who know their rescues or are quite adept at rolling and self rescue, you can dress lighter. However, if not, then a 3mm FJ is good. Do bow dunks or roll to cool off as required. If the air temps are cooler, then 3mm FJ plus a drytop is good. I use that combo well into the fall and even late winter if I'm with others. If it's particularly cold, I augment the FJ with fleece sweaters and long johns (thick polypro - wool-like - cycling tights). I only use my drysuit if I'm going to be in the water for a while (like instruction this month) or solo in colder months or with others when the ice is on the lakes. A drysuit in July or August is way too hot. I'd recommend you start with a 3mm FJ and see how you feel. Mike *************************************************************************** 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 Thu Jun 09 2005 - 13:27:01 PDT
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