| | Kit for Paddling
An Outdoor Gear Salesman will tell you that
your kit must comprise of several layers. Today, I shall describe
4, and I shall call them: base layer, mid layer, wetsuit and outer
shell. An Outdoor Gear Salesmen will also tell you all about how
to spend all your money on the latest layering fabrics and how this
will help you to climb mountains quicker and look good in field
and trek catalogues. However, none of this matters. What is important
is that you are warm and comfortable, and still have some money
left for a beer.
Base Layer
Man-made fabrics are best for this as they "wick" moisture
away from the skin, helping to keep you warm. Millets will sell
you a pair of Peter Storm thermals for not a lot of pounds, but
the more you spend the warmer you will be. Helly Hanson are very
popular and relatively inexpensive. Whatever you do, don't wear
cotton next to your skin. It has a cooling effect when it's wet,
and will make you feel super chilly. So that free freshers angels
t-shirt will not do. If you're on a budget, look for t-shirts made
from 100% polyester, or the lycra rash vests worn by surfers.
Mid layer
Polar fleece is the best solution to your mid layer. I'm reliably
informed that you can get very cheap fleece jumpers from Matalan,
and a couple of those you do you just fine in the very coldest of
conditions. Drawback is, it gets quite heavy when it's wet, so don't
pile on too much or you'll sink. Jogging bottoms are also very good,
just beware of %100 cotton ones, they're not so hot. Hi-tech super
light-weight paddling tops and trousers with designer labels on
are also available from most canoe shops and are a very nice addition
to your birthday present list, or there's always your student loan.
Don't even think about wearing jeans, for watersports they have
no redeeming features. When wet they will make you cold and chafe
where you don't want chafing.
The Wetsuit
Most people wear a wetsuit of some kind when they paddle. Whilst
you are dry, they keep you warm simply by being thick and rubbury
and tightfitting. But it is when they are wet that they come into
their own, trapping a layer of water between it and you, and then
heating it up with your hot emissions, if you'll excuse the phrase.
They come in every shape and size imaginable so you'll need to go
shopping and pick which you prefer. All I will say is, avoid full
upper body suits as they restrict your arm movement quite a lot,
and separate bits for upper and lower body are handy as they allow
for easy bladder evacuation. There isn't really a substitute for
a wetsuit, so unless you can stand to wear layers and layers of
tracksuits in winter, you're probably going to have to buy one.
There is some debate as to whether your wetsuit should go next to
the skin, or on top of your base a mid layers or between the 2.
I prefer the in between one, cos I'm indecisive.
The Outer Shell
Remember, sharks will only attack you if you are wet, so it's important
to keep as much water out as possible. A piece of kit known to the
canoeing world as a "cag" is some very waterproof clothing,
with some untrendy looking seals at the neck, wrists and waist.
They keep the wind, water and cold out and I could go on all day
about the many and varied designs of cags, and probably will if
left unattended, but basically there are 3 types. Dry, semi-dry
and splashproof. Dry cags are exactly that. They have latex seals
and several layers of fabric, and keep the water well and truly
out of there. They will also set you back about £80-200, but
for serious winter paddling, they are essential. Semi-dry cags have
neoprene seals, and fewer layers of fabric. They will do for most
UK paddling from March to September and will cost about £40-70,
but the good news is that the club owns several of these, so that'll
save you a few quid! Splash-proof cags are not worth the £20
they will charge you for the pleasure of owning one. Generally,
our club partakes in the wetter forms of canoeing, so splashproof
isn't really enough. Dry-trousers are also available at a hefty
price from canoe shops, but if you have a pair of waterproof walking
trousers, these will keep the wind off during breaks on the bank
and lengthy portages.
Extras
Most of the heat you lose is from your head so it's not a bad idea
to cover it up whilst it's submerged upside down in icy waters.
Scull caps can be purchased from as little as £3 for a neoprene
one, or £10-15 for a thermal one. A woolly hat will make do
in the event of not living near any surf shops.
Gloves are not very popular with canoeists as many people find they
reduce control of the paddle, but if you do like to wear gloves
while paddling, wetsuit gloves are readily available from surf,
canoe and sailing outlets. Sailing gloves tend not to be as thick
as surf gloves and offer more contact with the paddle, but less
warmth. Alternatively steal your mum's marigolds, or some latex
gloves from your local hospital.
Footwear
On rivers this is so very important as those rocks can be really
spiky. Wetsuit boots are again very easy to get hold of. Try and
get the most discrete style you are comfortable with as todays kayaks
are notoriously harsh on footroom. Where them with a pair of football
socks for extra luxury. Aquashoes are very cheap these days and
are available at most beach/surf/scuba outlets and will suffice
for less extreme paddling. Trainers will do, but may restrict the
size of boat you are able to squeaze into.
The summary
This isn't a layer of clothing, this is a much less involved version
of what I have just said.
Good
Thermals/man-made fabric clothing/lycra rash vest
Fleece
Woolly things
Wetsuit trousers/shorts/longjohns
Dry/semi-dry cags
Dry trousers/waterproof walking trousers
Jogging bottoms
Wetsuit boots/trainers/aquashoes
Warm socks
Scull cap/hat
Bad
Cotton things
Very absorbant things
Jeans
Heavy shoes
| |
