15 Tips for Cold Weather Paddlings

Paddling tips that will keep you out of trouble as the weather gets brisk.

Fall is here, and so is the cooler weather. While the heat of the summer poses a bunch of challenges during a day of paddling, so too does the cold. The cold, however, sneaks up on you a lot quicker! Here are a few tips for staying comfortable while avoiding trouble out on the water when the leaves and the temperatures start to drop.

1) Check the forecast

Checking the forecast is easy to forget when you’re planning a day of paddling. Weather can change quickly out there (although this varies from region to region), especially during the fall and winter months. Knowing the forecast will help you be better prepared and empower you to make educated decisions while on the water.

2) Make a “float plan”

Know the water you’re going to be paddling. Researching is easier than ever these days. Maps are all over the internet. The information is out there people! The fact is—emergencies happen. You should always know where you are in case you do happen to get into trouble. And, it’s great when others know where you are too. Tell a friend or bring a buddy (or two) if you know it’s going to be dangerously cold out there. The most responsible thing you can do before you leave is to create a float plan and give it to someone you trust.

• Who – Who will you be paddling with?
• Where – Where will you put in and take out? Where is your route?
• When – When is your estimated launch and return?
• What to do – A plan for what to do if you don’t return or check in as scheduled.

And, having a fully charged cell phone with you might come in handy. It just might be your last resort for getting you out of a sticky situation. And make sure it doesn’t get wet!

3) Be mindful of the weather

You know what they say about the weather in [insert your state here]. It doesn’t matter where you are, weather will sneak up and smack you upside the head when you least expect it. While your paddling, watch for changes in wind, precipitation and temperature while you’re out there. Staying one step ahead of the weather can tip the scale from a potential miserable paddle to a successful paddle. No one likes a long, cold paddle back to the car with biting headwinds infiltrating every nook and crevice of your body and slowing you down all the while drenching you with bitter, freezing spray! But the wind isn’t always bad. Take advantage of it when you can. If you checked the weather ahead of time and you roughly know when the wind will pick up or change direction, you just might be able to turn your return-paddle into a “down-winder”. Our energy dwindles over the coarse of a paddle expedition. It’s so nice to have the wind at your back on the second half of your journey.

4) Be versatile

If you’re stand up paddling (aka SUPing) and a cold headwind picks up, your body will essentially become a mini-sail and catch that air making it a challenge to make consistent headway. In this situation you should be prepared to get down onto your knees or better yet, switch to a seated kayaking position. That also means you should either have a separate double-blade paddle or a 2-in-1 paddle where you can switch out the T-grip for a second blade.

On a side note… it might seem like an insignificant addition, but you’ll be thankful for having them—splash guards on your paddle! If you don’t like cold water splashing onto your lap with every stroke, these are a must!

5) Layer up

Bring layers as well as a dry bag for storage. Keep the dry bag accessible so you can easily layer-up when you’re cold and de-layer when you’re overheated. Paddling is exercise. And exercise generates heat within your body. That means you’ll be sweating. It’s OK to de-layer in order to maintain a comfortable core body temperature. However, when you stop, that sweat starts to evaporate and the heat gets sucked right off your body. This leads to a rapid core temperature drop. Always layer up during paddle pit stops! How to layer is important too. Wearing a snug-fitting base layer is essential in really cold weather. And your outer layers should be wind-breaking and waterproof.

6) Cotton kills

Avoid cotton when paddling in cooler weather. This is a 101 thing! Clothing like casual t-shirts and jeans retain water and accelerate cooling when wet. Wear wool or synthetic clothing instead. They’ll provide insulation even when wet. And since you’ll be paddling, you’ll be sweating. The amount you sweat will vary depending on the nature of the paddle. Material like polypropylene does a good job of wicking moisture off your skin to keep you dry and happy. Cold sweat can feel just like cold water on your body. A dry body has a much easier time of maintaining its warmth.

7) Fingers and toes, fingers and toes

When it’s cold out, wind can be brutal on the noggin, fingers and toes. You can loose a tremendous amount of relative body heat through your head when it’s the only uncovered part of your body. Wearing an insulating hat (skull cap is ideal) can prevent excessive heat loss up there. For the hands, bring waterproof, wind resistant paddling gloves. Don’t bring the soft, fuzzy variety! The wind cuts right through those! And, they inevitably turn into sponges when the wind picks up and water spray increases. To keep the little piggies comfortable, zip-up neoprene booties are great! In really cold conditions, wear wool socks (or some other synthetic material) below the neoprene to wick away any moisture and keep your feet dry. The zip-up booties are great because you can take them off a whole easier than the alternative. Feet often turn into prunes when they remain wet. Cold combined with wet is a recipe for misery. It’s nice to be able to dry them dogs out during a paddle pit stop.

*BONUS: Bring a hot beverage as well as hand and foot warmers! Both will put a smile on your frozen face! I’ve used the hand and foot warmers often when guiding kayak and skiff tours in Alaska. Keep in mind, they only last so long… so bring a few out with you on a day trip.

8) Wear a vest

Vests keep your body’s furnace going strong. I’m talking about your heart. Keeping your ticker at optimal temperature will help maintain efficient blood flow to your extremities. Keep in mind, your PFD can act as a great vest when your paddling!

9) The sun still burns

It’s easy to forget to put sunscreen on when it’s cold. But just because the weather’s cooler doesn’t mean the sun isn’t cooking your skin. Yes, there’s usually not much of your skin exposed. But even the tiniest bit can get burned. And, keep in mind that you’re especially vulnerable on the water due to the reflection! Make sure you remember to apply sunscreen in spots that face downward. And, reapply! Your eyes are important too. Don’t forget those polarized sunnies! Polarized sunglasses can greatly reduce glare on the water and keeping you in optimal paddling condition.

10) Feed the furnace

What you put in your body is super important on any paddle, especially when you’re paddling in colder weather. Eating and staying hydrated can help your body to maintain its warmth. Nourish before and during (and after) a paddle. Your intake should match the energy you exert. And, make sure you bring emergency food… preferably simple sugars! More info and recipes.

11) Know your comfort zone

It may seem obvious, but many people feel over-confident due to the excitement of being out on the water and often get in way over their head. If you don’t feel comfortable in a given set of conditions, return to shore. It’s important to accept our own ability and experience levels. Knowledge is power out there!

12) Wetsuits

When the water is very cold but not dangerously cold (between 55 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit), wetsuits can provide sufficient comfort and protection. They are made of neoprene. These types of suits are designed to let water in and trap it inside between your skin and the suit. The heat of your body then warms the water which then keeps provides insulation. For this to work, a tight fit is important so the water doesn’t flush in and out. There are several options for coverage, from short legs and no arms to full body and even a hood. Several thicknesses are available. Suits thicker than 3mm are cumbersome and difficult to move around in (wetsuit thickness chart). Long days in a wetsuit can be uncomfortable. Bonus, wetsuits provide a little added flotation if you find yourself in the water.

13) Drysuits

When the water is dangerously cold (between 45 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit), a drysuit might be the best option. This is the high risk zone for hypothermia (see tip #12 below). Drysuits are made with a waterproof breathable fabric, and latex gaskets, and are designed to keep all water out. The suit itself does not provide much insulation, but layers (see tip #3) should be warn below the suit to stay warm. Keep in mind, these suits can be very expensive but might just save your life.

14) Hypothermia

This is the elephant in the room! Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature drops due to a combination of heat loss and an inability of the body to replace the lost heat. Keeping your body out of the water is the most effective means of preventing hypothermia. Note that body thermal conductivity in water is 26 times faster than when it’s exposed to the air (See the table below for general limits for the human body submerged in cold water). In those high risk conditions, carrying a sleeping bag or tarp for their high insulation qualities can be a lifesaver. Also, make sure that you have the ability to stop and make a fire. Click here for more info about the stages of cold water immersion. Click here for a great article on survival techniques. Below is a table with statistics on the cooling effects of immersion in cold water:

from Local Knowledge—A Skipper’s Reference by Kevin Monahan

15) Be a defensive paddler

It’s always best to practice defensive paddling when environmental risks are higher (frigid water, high winds, etc) and when the water is crowded with power boats. Just like walking across a busy street, you should always assume that power boats don’t see you out there. Wearing bright clothing helps! Even if they avoid you, their wakes won’t. Be mindful of all the increased variables out there. You don’t want to end up in that frigid water!

Be smart out there and… happy paddling!

Brock Munson | Contributor
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