Tink says:
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Also remember it is not air temp that is the most important, but water
temp. You mention wearing shorts and sandles. I also read your post
about wetsuits earlier, and wondered how cold the water was. Did you
try swimming in it, to see the effect on you. I read an account one
time about Navy SEALS that drowned while trying to swim just a short
distance to shore...
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My budget doesn't allow for a wetsuit yet (Father's Day perhaps... I
keep hinting), so shorts and sandals will have to do. As to swimming in
the water, not me my friend. However, both daughters are cold-blooded
and have been known to "swim" in January or February, but, I need to
add, NOT serious "I'm swimming for my life"-type swimming. But I take
your point. You need to know, however, we're ALWAYS wearing our PFD's.

As to distance from the sho 5 meters to 300 meters (max).

I'm a pedal and paddle fan. I have two daughters, one shares my pedal
passion, the other prefers the paddling. Either way, I've got a
partner.

I got a chuckle out of your anecdote about dumping your wife. Many
years ago, I (we?) owned a 21' sailboat. I'd sailed all my life, but my
wife had NEVER been on a sailboat. For the first trip, I decided
(foolish me) to take the boat within 500 meters of the open Pacific at
Nootka Sound (plenty of valor, very little discretion!). Needless to
say, that began the process of selling the sailboat. I've had a hard
time building up "outdoorsy" credibility with my wife since. Bottom
line: never dunk your wife or scare her sh*tless with the open Pacific
in May.

frtzw906