Comments for Irene's Kayaking Blog http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com Whitewater kayaking fun stuff from around Seattle Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:07:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Video: Rush Sturges Swims Cherry Bomb Falls – But Still Rocks It by Irene http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/videos/video-rush-sturges-swims-cherry-creek-still-rocks-it/comment-page-1/#comment-390 Irene Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:07:04 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1662#comment-390 My thoughts exactly Cameron! :) My thoughts exactly Cameron! :)

]]> Comment on Video: Rush Sturges Swims Cherry Bomb Falls – But Still Rocks It by Cameron http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/videos/video-rush-sturges-swims-cherry-creek-still-rocks-it/comment-page-1/#comment-382 Cameron Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:40:45 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1662#comment-382 Holy crap, that was pretty amazing. Holy crap, that was pretty amazing.

]]> Comment on Whitewater Kayaking Gear: What to Buy – Drysuits and Paddles by George B http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/gear/beginner-whitewater-kayaking-gear-what-to-buy-drysuits-paddles/comment-page-1/#comment-380 George B Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:01:32 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1543#comment-380 Irene did a nice job of describing issues with a dry suit purchase especially for women. Here is my take- as someone who has only been boating a couple of years, most all of it up in the PNW- one important perspective is simply survival. If a noob takes a bad or long swim and gets separated from their boat, and has to hoof it out, or gets injured and has to be out of their boat and inactive, it is essential that they can stay warm. In my view a wet suit alone won't do this. I started out with a farmer john wet suit and a dry-top (with tunnel) over that. That worked pretty well. Even after medium length swims my top and core stayed pretty dry and the dry-top, even if I was damp, acted as a wind layer and provided a lot of protection. I knew I could use both garments for other activities I do, so I wasn't out money in that sense. When I decided to stick with boating, I bought a used (but like new) dry suit with sewn-in socks. What a great purchase, as it added tremendously to my comfort and also confidence that even in winter if I have to spend time in the water, I will be okay. Bottom line is that in the PNW people wear dry-suits at least seven months of the year and almost year round. One thing that didn't get mentioned is the necessity for proper footwear- for warmth, portages and rescues. Irene did a nice job of describing issues with a dry suit purchase especially for women.

Here is my take- as someone who has only been boating a couple of years, most all of it up in the PNW- one important perspective is simply survival. If a noob takes a bad or long swim and gets separated from their boat, and has to hoof it out, or gets injured and has to be out of their boat and inactive, it is essential that they can stay warm. In my view a wet suit alone won’t do this. I started out with a farmer john wet suit and a dry-top (with tunnel) over that. That worked pretty well. Even after medium length swims my top and core stayed pretty dry and the dry-top, even if I was damp, acted as a wind layer and provided a lot of protection. I knew I could use both garments for other activities I do, so I wasn’t out money in that sense.

When I decided to stick with boating, I bought a used (but like new) dry suit with sewn-in socks. What a great purchase, as it added tremendously to my comfort and also confidence that even in winter if I have to spend time in the water, I will be okay.

Bottom line is that in the PNW people wear dry-suits at least seven months of the year and almost year round.

One thing that didn’t get mentioned is the necessity for proper footwear- for warmth, portages and rescues.

]]> Comment on Whitewater Kayaking Gear: What to Buy – Drysuits and Paddles by Irene http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/gear/beginner-whitewater-kayaking-gear-what-to-buy-drysuits-paddles/comment-page-1/#comment-377 Irene Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:22:39 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1543#comment-377 Hey Kelly, I think Snapdragon pogies are just one size? I think the kind we use are the HyperHands, not the HotHands - http://www.coloradokayak.com/Snapdragon-Hyper-Hands-Pogies.html. Your other option would be gloves, which are only worth getting if you can really feel the paddle with them on, which is why I like Glacier Gloves, these ones: http://www.kayakacademy.com/Store/GLAFLEECEGLOVE.html. However, I will say, multiple pairs of mine have not held up well - they do keep your hands warm and I don't feel like they inhibit my "feel" of the paddle, but they get holes in them quickly, especially around the inner thumb part where you tend to get calluses. But I still wear them and they still keep my hands warm. Most people I boat with use pogies though. Hey Kelly, I think Snapdragon pogies are just one size? I think the kind we use are the HyperHands, not the HotHands – http://www.coloradokayak.com/S.....ogies.html. Your other option would be gloves, which are only worth getting if you can really feel the paddle with them on, which is why I like Glacier Gloves, these ones: http://www.kayakacademy.com/St.....GLOVE.html. However, I will say, multiple pairs of mine have not held up well – they do keep your hands warm and I don’t feel like they inhibit my “feel” of the paddle, but they get holes in them quickly, especially around the inner thumb part where you tend to get calluses. But I still wear them and they still keep my hands warm. Most people I boat with use pogies though.

]]> Comment on Whitewater Kayaking Gear: What to Buy – Drysuits and Paddles by Kelly http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/gear/beginner-whitewater-kayaking-gear-what-to-buy-drysuits-paddles/comment-page-1/#comment-376 Kelly Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:17:36 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1543#comment-376 Yesterday was my first real fall paddling day. It wasn't wetsuit or drysuit weather yet but the one thing I did notice being cold were my hands. I have been thinking about getting some pogies but my options to find them in stores near me isn't the best selection. If I am going to order them online, how do I gauge what size to get? I see you recommend the Snapdragon brand. Yesterday was my first real fall paddling day. It wasn’t wetsuit or drysuit weather yet but the one thing I did notice being cold were my hands. I have been thinking about getting some pogies but my options to find them in stores near me isn’t the best selection. If I am going to order them online, how do I gauge what size to get? I see you recommend the Snapdragon brand.

]]> Comment on Whitewater Kayaking Gear: What to Buy – Drysuits and Paddles by Irene http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/gear/beginner-whitewater-kayaking-gear-what-to-buy-drysuits-paddles/comment-page-1/#comment-372 Irene Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:45:16 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1543#comment-372 Hey Kelly, thanks for your comment, I agree that it's a good idea to get in the water under safe conditions and see how your gear protects you when it's really cold out. That day I boated on the Lehigh in PA when it was 27 degrees out what I really noticed was that because I didn't have my regular Glacier Gloves with me and I used pogies instead (which again, amazingly, did keep my hands warm even though I rolled a few times), as soon as I got out of the water and had to take my hands off the paddle my hands went numb in the wind in about a minute - so swimming would have been miserable, not to mention dangerous.... I was really impressed with the pogies (Snapdragon) on the water, but realized the great thing about gloves is they keep your hands warm while you're hiking to and from the river too. Hey Kelly, thanks for your comment, I agree that it’s a good idea to get in the water under safe conditions and see how your gear protects you when it’s really cold out. That day I boated on the Lehigh in PA when it was 27 degrees out what I really noticed was that because I didn’t have my regular Glacier Gloves with me and I used pogies instead (which again, amazingly, did keep my hands warm even though I rolled a few times), as soon as I got out of the water and had to take my hands off the paddle my hands went numb in the wind in about a minute – so swimming would have been miserable, not to mention dangerous…. I was really impressed with the pogies (Snapdragon) on the water, but realized the great thing about gloves is they keep your hands warm while you’re hiking to and from the river too.

]]> Comment on Whitewater Kayaking Gear: What to Buy – Drysuits and Paddles by Kelly http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/gear/beginner-whitewater-kayaking-gear-what-to-buy-drysuits-paddles/comment-page-1/#comment-371 Kelly Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:41:58 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1543#comment-371 I have been giving this some thought and as a newbie with just 2 years of paddling under my skirt, I have a different perspective about drysuits or even cold weather paddling. Being new to such a sport where there are inherent dangers even without adding hypothermia into the picture, I would venture to say one should paddle a couple seasons before even deciding whether you will be someone who wants to cold weather paddle that much. One of the things I think one needs to really figure out is what kind of paddler you want to be and that takes some time. Here's a suggestion while one is figuring out those questions: If possible, rent a wetsuit from an outfitter for a day of paddling when it is colder water and temps. We have an outfitter near me who rents a wetsuit for under $20 for the day. Get in the water and don't just paddle but get wet and see what it feels like to you to be in water when there is ice or snow around, wind with no sun. I'm sure a drysuit with the right layering probably does keep one somewhat warm and dry but let's face it...cold weather paddling is a whole different game and before you commit to the expensive cost of a drysuit it might be a good idea to figure out just how much winter boating you want to do. As for me, I'm not sure how much winter boating I will do. This Sunday we'll be kayaking in fairly decent weather with air temps around 56 and water temps around low 50's, in a Class II creek that we know pretty well. I'm looking forward to it but still have to resolve if I will enjoy it as much when the real cold sets in. Just another part of the journey on the river so it's all good. I have been giving this some thought and as a newbie with just 2 years of paddling under my skirt, I have a different perspective about drysuits or even cold weather paddling. Being new to such a sport where there are inherent dangers even without adding hypothermia into the picture, I would venture to say one should paddle a couple seasons before even deciding whether you will be someone who wants to cold weather paddle that much. One of the things I think one needs to really figure out is what kind of paddler you want to be and that takes some time. Here’s a suggestion while one is figuring out those questions: If possible, rent a wetsuit from an outfitter for a day of paddling when it is colder water and temps. We have an outfitter near me who rents a wetsuit for under $20 for the day. Get in the water and don’t just paddle but get wet and see what it feels like to you to be in water when there is ice or snow around, wind with no sun. I’m sure a drysuit with the right layering probably does keep one somewhat warm and dry but let’s face it…cold weather paddling is a whole different game and before you commit to the expensive cost of a drysuit it might be a good idea to figure out just how much winter boating you want to do.

As for me, I’m not sure how much winter boating I will do. This Sunday we’ll be kayaking in fairly decent weather with air temps around 56 and water temps around low 50′s, in a Class II creek that we know pretty well. I’m looking forward to it but still have to resolve if I will enjoy it as much when the real cold sets in. Just another part of the journey on the river so it’s all good.

]]> Comment on Whitewater Kayaking Gear: What to Buy – Drysuits and Paddles by Irene http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/gear/beginner-whitewater-kayaking-gear-what-to-buy-drysuits-paddles/comment-page-1/#comment-370 Irene Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:03:40 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1543#comment-370 Hi Paul, You are right, the post is aimed at people starting out because they're faced with a bunch of choices that they have to make with very little experience to go on. Like I said in both comments, I can't post an opinion on how well wetsuits work because I've never tried one. However, I can post an opinion on whether or not drysuits keep you warm, and that was the point of my whole first comment. I know for sure that they keep you warm. So, not that there were any actual keywords in there, but if you were going to choose one, it would be "warm". ;) For anyone reading who would like some various takes on this, here's a Professor Paddle thread with some input: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8024&PID=38911 and this really nice Beginner Kayaking sticky thread on Professor Paddle, started by Arn and Deb Schaeffer: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4882&PID=61242 Hi Paul,

You are right, the post is aimed at people starting out because they’re faced with a bunch of choices that they have to make with very little experience to go on.

Like I said in both comments, I can’t post an opinion on how well wetsuits work because I’ve never tried one. However, I can post an opinion on whether or not drysuits keep you warm, and that was the point of my whole first comment. I know for sure that they keep you warm. So, not that there were any actual keywords in there, but if you were going to choose one, it would be “warm”. ;)

For anyone reading who would like some various takes on this, here’s a Professor Paddle thread with some input:

http://www.professorpaddle.com.....;PID=38911

and this really nice Beginner Kayaking sticky thread on Professor Paddle, started by Arn and Deb Schaeffer:

http://www.professorpaddle.com.....;PID=61242

]]> Comment on Whitewater Kayaking Gear: What to Buy – Drysuits and Paddles by Paul http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/gear/beginner-whitewater-kayaking-gear-what-to-buy-drysuits-paddles/comment-page-1/#comment-368 Paul Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:12:44 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1543#comment-368 Sorry, I thought the post was aimed at beginners or somebody who's just thinking about getting started... Your keywords : long term commitment & year-round boating... Mine : cheap alternative & super warm ( without layering up ) Just trying to get people interested in outdoors and may be save some money... Sorry, I thought the post was aimed at beginners or somebody who’s just thinking about getting started…

Your keywords : long term commitment & year-round boating…

Mine : cheap alternative & super warm ( without layering up )

Just trying to get people interested in outdoors and may be save some money…

]]> Comment on Whitewater Kayaking Gear: What to Buy – Drysuits and Paddles by Irene http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/gear/beginner-whitewater-kayaking-gear-what-to-buy-drysuits-paddles/comment-page-1/#comment-367 Irene Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:22:04 +0000 http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/?p=1543#comment-367 OK, again, I can't say anything about wetsuits because I haven't tried one, although I don't think I've ever seen anyone using one in dead of winter around here. Johann, it's good to get your personal experience end of it on that drysuit, the one thing I would wonder though is the ease of getting in and out of it? It is just so nice to be able to get in and out of your drysuit on your own, which is why I love the front zip on the Kokatat drysuits. OK, again, I can’t say anything about wetsuits because I haven’t tried one, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone using one in dead of winter around here.

Johann, it’s good to get your personal experience end of it on that drysuit, the one thing I would wonder though is the ease of getting in and out of it? It is just so nice to be able to get in and out of your drysuit on your own, which is why I love the front zip on the Kokatat drysuits.

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