I'm in the Pacific Northwest and the weather is getting nicer but the water is still too cold for me to want to roll or self rescue without at least a wetsuit. Neoprene sounds very uncomfortable to paddle around in though. What's a thriftily challenged fashion conscious roller to do? Paul Montgomery paul_at_paddleandoar.com http://paddleandoar.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/ ***************************************************************************
Paul Montgomery said: > Neoprene sounds very > uncomfortable to paddle around in though. What's a thriftily > challenged fashion conscious roller to do? Spend the money for something that will keep you warm. There are many styles of paddling type wetsuits available. I use a grizzly cut farmer john from NRS together with either just a rash guard or a hydroskin top depending on water temp. If there will be a lot of rolling or in the water time, I also will wear a dry top on top of that. Immersion protection can save your life. A good friend of mine with more than 20 years kayaking experience died from hypothermia after capsizing on a very warm day. Don't skimp when it comes to lifesaving equipment. Steve Holtzman Southern California *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Paddlers and Paul - i'm in North California and am interested in what paddlers experience and recomendations would be for immersion protection in Nor Cal waters year round. Perhaps ideal protection and a cost compromise recomendation. John Santa Rosa, CA Paul Montgomery <paul_at_paddleandoar.com> wrote: I'm in the Pacific Northwest and the weather is getting nicer but the water is still too cold for me to want to roll or self rescue without at least a wetsuit. Neoprene sounds very uncomfortable to paddle around in though. What's a thriftily challenged fashion conscious roller to do? Paul Montgomery paul_at_paddleandoar.com http://paddleandoar.com --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
John, I'm in Southern California and our water temps are a little warmer than yours. Our coldest temps are usually around 53-55 deg F in the winter and we sometimes get up to the low 60's in the summer. For our temps, a wetsuit works well, but I'd be reluctant to paddle in the winter in Northern CA in just a wetsuit. You should probably be thinking a dry suit for the winter and a wetsuit of some type for the summer. Steve Holtzman Southern Calif _____________ NOD32 EMON 2256 (20070510) information _____________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system http://www.eset.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/ ***************************************************************************
Steve, et al - Thank you for your rapid reply. Any suggestions on a particular dry suit and wet suit. Anything in particular to look for and look out for to avoid. My last dry suit had laytex gaskits which had to be replace periodically. Eventually the suit wore out about the same time i stopped rafting rivers in winter, some years ago now. Seeking recommendations from those with more recent experience than i have. Thanks again for your reply and look forward to any additional input. Regards, john NorCal Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net> wrote: John, I'm in Southern California and our water temps are a little warmer than yours. Our coldest temps are usually around 53-55 deg F in the winter and we sometimes get up to the low 60's in the summer. For our temps, a wetsuit works well, but I'd be reluctant to paddle in the winter in Northern CA in just a wetsuit. You should probably be thinking a dry suit for the winter and a wetsuit of some type for the summer. Steve Holtzman Southern Calif _____________ NOD32 EMON 2256 (20070510) information _____________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system http://www.eset.com --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
John, I'm particularly partial to NRS. I have been using their stuff since 1997 and have never had a problem. I have several of their farmer johns. I use the standard grizzly cut in both full length and shorty depending on the water temps. I also use Chota Mukluks with the shorty so there really is very little skin exposed. For rash guards, I like the NRS polypropylene ones and their hydroskin for a little more warmth. My drytop is by Kokatat. This works for me year round in Southern Calif. I have no relationship with NRS other than being a satisfied customer. They stand behind their goods and returns have never been a problem. Steve Holtzman _____________ NOD32 EMON 2256 (20070510) information _____________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system http://www.eset.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/ ***************************************************************************
The current dry suits still have gaskets, so you'll probably have the same issues with them. If you get booties instead of ankle gaskets, you'll have two less gaskets to maintain. When you shop, you'll find that Nylon is the least expensive. Sadly, this doesn't breath, so it really isn't a good choice. When you shop you'll find that there is significant difference in fabric weight and durability. It becomes a compromise between cost and durability. Kokatat is probably the most popular brand, but NRS is another brand that is worth considering. Derek --- John H <seajohnkayak_at_yahoo.com> wrote: > Steve, et al - Thank you for your rapid reply. Any > suggestions on a particular dry suit and wet suit. > Anything in particular to look for and look out for > to avoid. My last dry suit had laytex gaskits which > had to be replace periodically. Eventually the suit > wore out about the same time i stopped rafting > rivers in winter, some years ago now. Seeking > recommendations from those with more recent > experience than i have. > Thanks again for your reply and look forward to > any additional input. > Regards, > john --------------------------------------------------------------- Please limit all email attachments sent to this address to a maximum of 0.5MB. All email attachments that are larger then 0.5MB will automatically be deleted. --------------------------------------------------------------- ICQ: 262152266, AIM: GlamourpetsD, MSN: [my email address], Yahoo Messenger: glamourpets --------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
This is a great time to be a paddler. Immersion wear choices are greater now then at any other time. Don't be fooled there are a lot more choices then Kokatat or NRS. There are lots of wet suit options, plus dry and semi dry suit choices. It'll pay to shop around. Chill cheater, Brooks, Palm are just a few possibilities. One thing to consider is your size. If you're a string bean marathon 0% body fat type you may be better off in a dry suit. However, if you carry a seal like extra layer of body fat a wet suit may work for you. Gordin Warner *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On May 11, 2007, at 5:35 PM, Gordin Warner wrote: > This is a great time to be a paddler. Immersion wear choices are > greater now then at any other time. Don't be fooled there are a > lot more choices then Kokatat or NRS. > > There are lots of wet suit options, plus dry and semi dry suit > choices. > Very true Gordin. Being a Southern USA paddler I love my neoprene > pants and various levels of neoprene tops. Easy to get on and off > and not hard to get set up for a pee break. Again I stress the fact > that I live in a warmer than most climate. As an aside I saw that my favorite place to burn calories, the Triangle off Tybee Island, Georgia USA, is the focus of a very long and informative article in Sea Kayaker Magazine. It was fun to read the thoughts of someone who isnt risk averse as long as you have a good plan and some solid skills. BCU week 2005 I had a similar day of fun with a 5 star coach who is a retired Air Force Sergeant Major. He was in charge of the band. The Air Force band that is. What a calm, secure man. Our final informal test for the day was to cross the center of the Triangle through an area called the Zipper while trying to stay in formation. The Zipper looks like a line of clapotis zipping and unzipping as two currents converge carrying their swells headlong into the other. Four students and the instructor took on the swell from an offshore hurricane that had just finished pounding Southern Florida. Six to eight foot triple confsued waves gave us a lot of challenging fun. I have yet to match that experince for pure fun. The instructor really was a great leader and made us all feel capable. Several times paddlers went over but rolled up repeatedly. All of the students but me were inland lake paddlers. I had the home field advantage so my hat was off to those guys for doing incredibly well in a very fresh situation to their skill set. Jim et al *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 5/10/2007 6:05:22 PM Pacific Daylight Time, seajohnkayak_at_yahoo.com writes: Paddlers and Paul - i'm in North California and am interested in what paddlers experience and recomendations would be for immersion protection in Nor Cal waters year round. Perhaps ideal protection and a cost compromise recomendation. John Santa Rosa, CA >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Having boated quite a bit in Northern Cal and a resident of Washington state where Paul lives, it would be my recommendation to spring for a drysuit. Or, continue with the farmer john/drytop mode until you can afford the one you want. Rotary cooling can take the mug out of excessive heating. I've boated plenty with fuzzy rubber pants and a drytop, however, there is no substitute for a drysuit when you are in 46-56 degree water. Cheers, Rob G ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.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/ ***************************************************************************
Let me put in a vote for a dry top and separate bib dry bottoms with layers of polypro underneath. This is an under-$350 combination from NRS (not including the polypro layers) and can even be purchased in two installments (I got one part for a birthday and another for Christmas). It will not keep you as safe as a full dry suit (in good condition) but is comfortable enough so that you can wear them in warm weather knowing that the water temp is not nearly as warm. I have a collection of neoprene wetsuits from farmer-johns to water-ski shorties and my own personal belief is that the farmer-johns are too warm for warm-weather paddling (but probably pretty safe in a capsize) and the water-ski shorties are unsafe in a capsize but more comfortable to paddle in when the air temp is over 70F. But the combo of dry top and separate dry bottom is a good compromise. It also gives you the chance to wear only the dry top (which I do most often on lakes where one is close to shore). Craig Jungers Royal City, WA On 5/10/07, Paul Montgomery <paul_at_paddleandoar.com> wrote: > > I'm in the Pacific Northwest and the weather is getting nicer but the > water is still too cold for me to want to roll or self rescue without > at least a wetsuit. Neoprene sounds very uncomfortable to paddle > around in though. What's a thriftily challenged fashion conscious > roller to do? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> What's a thriftily challenged fashion conscious > roller to do? Roll really fast!? That's tough, Paul, because the thrifty and the warm and comfortable parts don't usually come together. For what it's worth, here's my input: There's a custom wetsuit maker that I like who will do everything with you via phone and internet. She's based in Texas. She will take a million minute measurements, and make a suit designed to paddle in. Wetsuits are cheaper than drysuits. The company is called Terrapin Wetsuits www.terrapinwetsuits.com. Ebay! I've purchased two drysuits via ebay, and they're great. I got a GFER w/ socks and relief zipper for $320, and a GMER with all the bells and then some for $550. Reed Chillcheater wear. Not cheap, but not the worst either. Warm, presuming you're not swimming about for too long, and much more comfortable than either a wet or a drysuit. -Georgianna *************************************************************************** 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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