What protective gear would you wear for warm/cold weather whitewater paddling?

Question

gear for whitewater paddling

Answer 1

Dressing warm for whitewater is very important.  If there's a high risk of swimming, and your out in the boonies, you can catch hypothermia real fast.  It's always a good idea to dress a little warmer than you think you need too, since you can always shed extra gear if it gets too hot, or take a quick dip to cool off.  But if you underdress and get too cold, there is little to do to warm up, except finish the run as quickly as you can, and feel miserable as you do it.

    Among my kayaking friends and I, this is what we like to wear, as listed from warm weather to cold weather (taking into account air AND water temperature) in NoCal.

Hot summer warm water (PFDevice always included):

1.  Swim shorts no shirt.

2.  Neoprene shorts, short sleeve splash top.

Cooler water:

3.  Spring suit, long/short sleeve splash top

4. Farmer John wetsuit, long sleeve splash top, or dry top.

Winter warm water:

5. Farmer John wetsuit, fleece head gear (under helmet), fleece shirt, splash top or dry top.

6. Dry suit    

Winter cold water:

7.  Full wetsuit, neoprene booties, neoprene head gear (under helmet), fleece shirt, paddle jacket or dry top.

8. Dry suit with fleece, neoprene booties, neoprene head gear.

My personal favorite, all weather dress is the following (I wear this 90% of the time):  Swim trunks, farmer john wetsuit, paddle jacket, neoprene booties, and if it gets cooler I'll throw in a fleece shirt or hat, extra socks and thin neoprene gloves.  As it warms, I just shed gear and stow it in my dry bag.



I prefer paddle jackets over dry tops because they are less maintenance and more adjustable (even though you get a little wetter), I get sick and tired of listening to people complaing about "blown out/too loose/too tight seals", with a paddle jacket, it's a non-issue.

For feet, I prefer surfer booties (Kayak booties are a little bulky) for summer and winter.  They're comfy and they keep my tootsies warm.  But sandals/sneakers/water shoes all work just fine though.  Just add socks the cooler it gets (man made or wool, no cotton socks).

For cool weather I like a thin pair of neoprene gloves for the end of the day.  They're easy to stow when you need that extra feel of your paddle for the hairier rapids.  (paddle sensitivity is very important to most boaters, and they'll refuse to wear gloves).  Poagies are O.K. for cold weather, but they can be a hastle constantly sliding your hands in and out of them.

Keeping your head warm is key.  Approx 80% of your body heat loss is through your head, so a simple head fleece or neoprene is key.  Duct tape over your helmet holes can help too.

Just add more layers the cooler it gets, and never layer with cotton, it holds water and makes you cold.  Layer with fleece, wool, or poly (or any man made material) but never cotton.  

And if you get too cold, just pee in your wetsuit.  Just remember, in cold weather, there are only two types of boaters, those that pee in their wetsuits, and those that lie about it.

And a P.S. to you people down in L.A. (SoCal), me and my kayaking buddies pee in your drinking water.

Happy boating.

Late-

Answer 2

You would wear a wetsuit! It keeps you warm in the cold water!

You might want some goggles or something!

Answer 3

A wetsuit or spring suit(depending on how hot or cold it is), and booties or water shoes. If its very cold put a fleece under your wetsuit, it keeps you warm even when its wet

Answer 4

If it is very cold water or cold weather a wet suit is desireable.

You need a helmet and a well fitted life jacket.

You need to be wearing sneakers.