Cold Weather Paddling

Cold weather paddling requires an understanding of air and water temperature, proper clothing and experience in survival skills. Cold weather paddling doesn't necessarily mean paddling in Alaska - read on.

Northern areas of the United States including the northern east coast have shorter paddling seasons. There are only a few short months between May and September to enjoy the warmth that lucky southern and west coast paddlers do.

In these colder regions you may get an early or late warm day where the air temperature reaches near or above 80 degrees. What most don't realize is that even with this warm air, the water temperature could still be at 40 degrees. This is serious.

If you plan to extend your paddling season into the Spring and Fall, you will need to know more about water temperature. For beginners especially - safety is a prerequisite - do not paddle in water temperatures below 60 degrees until you have a full understanding of the risk of hypothermia and you are outfitted with the proper clothing for cold weather paddling.

Water temperatures below 60 degrees are a serious threat to your ability to save yourself without proper instruction or clothing designed to retain body heat. Rapid heat loss leads to hypothermia, cold shock and fatality. Only after training from a certified instructor and a thorough understanding of the life saving skills unique to cold water paddling - would I recommend paddling in cold water temperatures.

So please ... beginners - be patient before attempting paddling in water temperatures below 60 degrees. Instead, this would be a good time to seek qualified training.

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