"Michael Daly" wrote in message
...
On 11-Jan-2005, "sparks" wrote:

Probably the best thing to do is wait until spring. We were going to go
on a
resevoir in western Indiana. It is supposed to be 25 degrees this
weekend...god knows what the wind will be like. I want to play it
safe... I
appreciate everyones enthusiastic advice...I knew I came to the right
place
to ask!!

See you all in warmer weather!

You're wimping out based on bad advice. I know lots of paddlers who go
out
in winter without drysuits. Experience, preparation and care matter more
than clothes.

Mike

I have to agree with Mike. The year I got my first kayak, I went out every
weekend for a year and a half. When the lakes and rivers froze up, we went
on the ocean. I still paddle most weekends all year round, maybe more in
the winter, because the rivers here dry up in the summer. A regular pair of
wetsuit pants, and neoprene booties with wool socks has always kept my lower
half warm - and I've gone for quite a long swim (when my roll failed me)
with crushed ice from the break-up still in the river. I wasn't cold in the
water or on the side of the river trying to free my pinned boat.
The top half is the hardest to regulate. With a dry top on the outside,
when you're warm enough at the start, you're roasting half an hour later.
If you start off a bit chilly, it's chilly if you roll or when you take a
break. Neoprene hat, hood or balaklava is a must to staying warm. I've
lent my gloves on cold days, but haven't really suffered as long as my head
and core were warm.
Mike
Lunenburg, NS Canada, eh.