PADDLER SAFETY & TRIP PLANNING
Kayaking Safely – Planing and Gearing-Up
Avoiding trouble on the water is always our goal. Propper trip planning can help us there – and having the right gear for conditions can save the day; keeping us paddling and comfortable when things go right, and keeping us safe should things get tricky!
Articles –
• Winter Wear for Paddlers
• Planning for Paddling Success
Winter Wear for Paddlers
What to wear during Fall, Winter, and Spring paddling in coastal South Carolina? We can start with a few basics:
We’ve all heard the adage “Cotton Kills” and a twist on that – “Cotton is Rotten.” Cotton clothing absorbs a lot of water, holding it against your skin and leading to hypothermia. Synthetic clothing is the answer…
We’ll look at three components for cold weather/cold water paddling: a base layer, an insulating layer, and a shell.
A base layer can be a synthetic t-shirt or a kayak specific rash guard. A good base layer will do double-duty, providing sun protection in the Summer.
An insulating layer may be fleece, neoprene or other paddling specific materials. I have found that neoprene is best if you are likely to be IN the water . Neoprene is my usual choice as an insulating layer for rescue class, rolling and surfing. I do find fleece a bit more comfortable than neoprene, and it will help keep you warm if it gets wet.
The shell – A paddle jacket is a must for all seasons. Many types and styles are available, but they all serve the same purpose…creating a “micro-environment” keeping the wind, splash and spray, and rain off of the paddler. Paddlers in more protected areas, without sprayskirts, are best served with a single-tunnel paddle jacket, with adjustable closures at the wrists and neck. Folks wearing skirts should consider a double tunnel paddle jacket, to layer the skirt tunnel between the jacket tunnels. Latex wrist seals and more aggressive necks can be more effective at keeping the water out for surfing and rolling.
Dressing Our Head, Feet and Hands
The Wilderness Medicine Newsletter reports that heat loss through the head is at about 7% of total body heat loss in normal conditions, and up to 55% of total body heat loss if you are shivering. A warm hat can make a huge difference on a cold day. A hat with a brim always makes good sense to shade your face and eyes from the sun.
Feet can be insulated in neoprene or fleece socks, inside a paddling shoe. For colder water, or folks whose feet are always cold, there are some paddle specific boots.
I’ve never been a glove guy, some folks swear by them. I don’t like them as they decrease my “feel” of the paddle shaft. I prefer pogies, which attach to the paddle shaft, and let me put my hand inside them to make direct contact with the paddle.
Finally, consider some warm back-up clothing in a drybag. This “hypothermia kit” can be a back up for you, or serve as a help to some less equipped friends. Stay warm!
Scott, happily geared-up and ready to paddle, is the managing owner of Sea Kayak Carolina.
Planning for a Successful Paddle
Bull Island Trip - Sunday, March 8, 2009 [trip planning guide]
A note on Kayaking Safety from SKC's Scott Szczepaniak —
Wow! The Charleston Sea Kayaking Meetup Group had grown to 184 members by the first week in March 2009! How many of us would there be by the end of the month?
There were over 30 paddlers on-board for Sunday, March 8th’s Bull Island trip; and another 21 maybe’s! As excited as I was, our increased numbers increased the potential for problems, little and big.
A little advance planning, and a few tips about how to be prepared can go a long way toward making any (and every) paddle safer for you and those you go kayaking with —
First and foremost - Have you practiced a wet exit?
A wet exit is the controlled act of exiting a capsized boat. No big deal if you have learned it, or practiced it before. A big deal if you have never done it, and are suddenly panicked in 53 degree water. (Current Charleston Harbor water temperature.)
Second: What to Wear [see our Cool/Cold Weater Gear article]
The weather forecast had the air temperature for the Bull Island paddle at 68 degrees. Dress appropriately. Head to toe:
A hat for sun protection and warmth. Synthetic ball cap is great for paddling, a warmer cap nice for the lunch break and walking on the beach.
Synthetic t-shirt base layer. Avoid cotton. Next an insulating layer, again synthetic fleece, avoiding cottons. Finally, a wind barrier that is water resistant - a paddle jacket.
Lower half of your body should be layered the same way. A nylon bathing suit as a base layer, fleece or neoprene insulating layer, and paddling pants.
Feet. Bare feet never! Too cold this time of year, too many oyster shells, fishhooks, broken glass other hazards year ‘round. I wear the NRS Kicker with a neoprene sock.
Other things to bring:
• Kayak (15' or longer, bow and stern floatation)
• Paddle
• Lifejacket
• Sprayskirt
• Lunch and snacks
• Drinking water
• Thermos of hot tea (or water)
• Change of clothes and extra layers in a drybag
• Bilge pump
• Paddle float
• Boat sponge
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Blanket or towel to sit on at lunch (optional)
• Waterproof camera (optional)
More experience paddlers will also want to carry:
• First aid kit
• Spare paddle
• VHF radio
• Flares & other signalling devices
• Boat repair kit (duct tape, multi-plier, etc.)
• Storm cag
• Compass
• Charts and maps in waterproof case