"Allan Bennett" wrote in message
...
In article , Muzz
wrote:
Keith Meredith wrote:
Hi

What kit would you advise a new paddler to spend money on?

Keith

My club lists it as follows, after buying a long john wet suit :

Some youngsters (1* standard) turned up at my Club with wetsuits - I
refused
to let them on the water until they had changed into T-shirts and shorts.

I have never paddled in conditions in this country in the last 35 years
where
a thermal / T-shirt / Lightweight cag combo was not adequate (add a woolly
hat, maybe and pogies for the woossies). Even in a -25 degree chill
factor.
No wetsuits. No wet suit boots, no dry cags or neoprene collars and
cuffs.

Proper canoeing, mind, not sub-aqua or caving.

That's fine, but when we are walking through light snow and paddling on
rivers fringed with ice it is common sense to try top stay warm.

I've been out many times and in the early days it was tee shirts and sweat
shirts and a waterproof top. In winter it was damned cold. Properly attired,
thermals, long john wetsuit and a dry cag, spray deck, and perhaps open
palmed mitts and we can stay warmer much longer, and if we do go for a swim,
manage to build up a layer of warmth quite quickly.

I see a big difference between kids with gear and kids without, and I don't
just mean in their parent's bank balances. The kids with gear stay warmer
and happier, and they also, as a side effect have more confidence as they
are less concerned about getting wet.

I'd stand by what I said earlier.

Ewan Scott