Warm water to train in....close to Southern Calif...?

Question

I live in SoCal. I'm trying to find a place close where the water is warm enough to train in on a surfski (hybrid racing kayak). It involves falling into the water ALOT and it's really quite unpleasant. Hypothermia really isn't my cup of tea I suppose. I need to train to get better and fall off the thing less. Don't laugh... It's like paddling a really fast log.

Answer 1

Hi John,

I live in San Clemente, and I have yet to even try paddling a surfski.  Too narrow!  The water here isn't that bad -- you could be up in the Bay area!  

I paddle for DOCC, and a lot of our paddlers are also surfers.  They own wetsuits for surfing, but find them too binding for paddling.  What they don't realize is that there are wetsuits designed for paddling - they allow for free rotation of the shoulders and they don't bind up at your hip.  

Check out the lighter weight wet suits by NRS, I have an Ultra Jane suit, and it's perfect for our winter waters.   Their Hydroskin line is good too.  Look at some other lighter weight insulators like Mysterioso shirts and paddling pants.  Another great brand is Kokatat - made in Arcata, CA.  Great products (both insulators and wetsuits), and they'll make the local waters much more comfy!  

They'll give you some extra warmth without weighing you down.

Most of our inland lakes seem to be reservoirs, where they don't allow human contact with the water, so I'm not sure of any other places that might actually have warmer water.

Good luck with the ski!