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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Risky business?
Posted By: Shawn Baker In Response To: Re: Some better info about Neoprene/Polartec (Brianne Corbett)
Date: Monday, 17 February 2003, at 11:17 a.m.
Bree,
You raise some important questions (I assume you already have) that everyone should ask. I'm not pointing a finger here...it's apparent you've answered most of these questions for yourself...but does everyone?
If you are taking a risk, is it a calculated risk, or an uneducated, foolish risk?
If you are wearing less than minimum immersion protection, how do you know? Have you tried your selection in the actual water temperature you're paddling? Whose minimum--your own or someone else's. How good is your roll? How good is your roll with an icecream headache.
I don't have any problems with people wearing less than an "optimum" level of immersion protection--it's your life--AND, if you've experimented, and actually tried your clothing in the drink, and know how well you can swim to shore/roll with an icecream headache/perform a rescue with chilled extremities...then it's a calculated risk.
Just wanted to differentiate between calculated risks with common sense and backups; versus foolish risks, and death in a windbreaker and sweats.
Shawn
: Mine leaks but it doesn't bother me much. If the water is real cold, I always
: wear a second neoprene layer... either a full 3mm jacket with long sleeves
: or a long sleeve hydroskin top. The hydroskin is very good for this
: purpose. It is a good augmenter but not good as the primary layer. It
: keeps your arms warm enough and is quite snug. Nevertheless the thick
: wetsuit is keeping the core warm.: As I said... 6.5mm in three layers plus poly underneath and a drytop is maxed
: out for me. If the water is any colder than this outfit will handle then I
: am home watching TV. I feel that with head covering and thick neoprene
: gloves I am good to about 40 degree water in this gear. This is Lake
: Superior in summer except in some shallow areas or river mouths were she
: heats up a bit more.: Spring and fall would call for a drysuit on Lake Superior. I confess that I
: often go with less than 6.5mm. I should only do this if I am really
: shorehugging, but it is hard. With 80 or 90 degree air temperatures, it is
: very tough to paddle with 3.5mm plus drytop much less 6.5mm plus drytop.
: Heck it is hard to paddle with drytop and rashguard at those temps.: I actually carry a mist-er and mist myself to cool off when I am on Superior
: in summer. I also pour a lot of water over my head to keep cool. In June,
: Lake Superior water in the Apostle Islands is about 38 degrees. Cutting
: corners can be very dangerous there. I confess that I do it. But it is a
: calculated risk. I feel like I have many possibilities to win... roll back
: up... re-enter and roll... use C-Step and climb back in... assisted rescue
: with my partner's help... or even swim to shore.: I typically have at least 3.5mm on. I do have some time... though not
: limitless time. If I am close in, I can make shore. The problem comes
: doing long crossings. I usually paddle point to point versus shorehugging.
: This often puts me far out to sea. This creates danger for me.: For example, on the north shore the crossing from Michipicoten River near
: Wawa to Perkwakwia Point is about 4 miles. If the wind is blowing from the
: North or NE and you are a mile or two out heading west, capsize alone, and
: lose your boat... you have a BIG problem on your hands. The wind is
: blowing you out to sea and you have a very long swim home. At 38 or 40
: degrees and 3.5mm you might not make it depending on the breaks. You will
: need some luck, flares and hope that someone sees them... or maybe a
: windshift.: Safe Paddling!
: Brianne
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