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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Surf Qualifier
Posted By: Carl Tjerandsen In Response To: Apprehension (Brian Nystrom)
Date: Wednesday, 3 January 2001, at 6:35 p.m.
Seals should be trimmed until they are very comfortable. There is very
: little pressure trying to force water inside your jacket or suit, so tight
: seals are unnecessary.As is his habit, Brian makes some great points. If I may add one qualifier. For kayak surfing, I like my seals a bit on the tight side. On occasion you'll find a half ton of seawater dumping straight down onto your back, head, and neck (if you've been lucky enough to get your boat turned around in time). This pounding water is incredibly aggressive in finding its way into any seam in its path. Smacking into the surge to try to gain the break will send some water up your sleeves, if you are paddling in the three seasons of the year where gloves are not being worn. Some seawater will usually penetrate in even mild surf conditions. How much partly depends on the integrity of the seals.
I'm coming to see that what I really need is one of those neoprene hoods the surfers wear which extends well down onto the trapeziae and lower neck. Then I could opt for more comfortable seals.
My first purchase for headache prophylaxis was a Kokatat fuzzy rubber cap, size large (b/c I wear a large hat). Big mistake. Inverted, the water fairly gushed in. The cap then held the cold water to my scalp, as it slowly leaked out. An ice cream headache machine. Next I got a small Rapidstyle cap. Much better, but still leaked, when inverted. Now I wear both and can avoid headache in 35 degree water.
Winter paddling holds its rewards (out in the snowy nor'easter last Saturday- awesome) but with 18 items of gear to wear, it can be damn tedious.Carl
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