My goals for 2011 were to be on the water 60 days and go over 200 nautical miles. I ended with 53 days and 223 nautical miles, due to lots of work at the end of the year and no extra daylight. My least days out were in Februa ry, March, May and August. However, I was out 10 times in January 2011. This is highly influenced by work (I'm self employed) and whether I feel the gasoline is in the budget. My nearest water is 10 miles and frozen in deep winter, not yet this year. On this January 1, I splurged for the gas and drove 50 miles to attend the Cold Water Workshop (sponsored by Rogue Wave Adventures) in Seattle. At an air temp of 52 degrees F (11 C) and water 42 F (5 C) it was not quite the ordeal of last year, where the snow on the ground kept the feet plenty cold. First we floated in our drysuits. Most people left the water in about 20 minutes. Both Setsuko and I were still in but getting bored after 30 minutes and called it a day. Drysuits help a lot, but Setsuko has devised some tricks to help stay warm. Pull your sprayskirt around to the back to help insulate your back, bring your fingers out of the gloves far enough to make a fist in the palm of the glove, stay curled up. Her record is over 40 minutes floating and that was in colder water. After that we got in the kayaks! We practiced assisted rescues trying to get the victim out of the water ASAP, and then into their boat. Lots of trials of between the boat rescues, take a bit of practice to do. See the North Water "Sea Kayak Rescues" DVD, featuring Leon and Shawna of Body, Boat, Blade International for good in real situation demos of this. We finished with a brisk paddle into the wind, which of course went soft on us when we wanted to surf back. Good day, fun, and since it was fresh water I didn't even have to rinse my gear when back! I wish all of you joy and a full life in the coming year! Pam in Washington State. No affiliation with any of the businesses mentioned other than being a student in the past. *************************************************************************** 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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