CLOTHING

Norwegians have a saying that: "There is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing."
Well, in our neck of the woods, with hurricanes and tornadoes and all, sometimes "adequate clothing" includes "3 foot thick steel reinforced walls" but usually, that just means clothing that keeps you warm and dry in cold and blizzardy weather. Or screen out the Sun in unremitting sunny days with no shade. 

Sometimes it means: Rain gear, long johns or synthetic pants, gloves, hats, and sweaters. 

Sometimes it means wet suits or dry suits. We will get to that later. 

Notably, Douglas Tompkins, the founder of the outdoors clothing company NorthFace, died while paddling across a lake. They were wearing Pategonia outdoor clothing, but were not prepared to tip over and spend any time in the 35 degree water. They were not wearing a dry suit or a wet suit. 
Who doesn't prepare to tip over while paddling? His story is told in the Safety Minute: Groupthink Death on a Lake

"The right gear in watersports is not just about comfort; it is about survival."

So: Let's talk about wet suits or dry suits.
A wet suit is built to allow a thin layer of water to form between the skin, and the outside water. This is a design that allows people to stay warm in cooler water, and surf and be active in temperatures above freezing and below comfortable temperatures. 
A dry suit is designed to keep all water out, and use the insulating properties of the fabric, or added layers of clothing, to keep a person warm in temperatures below about 50° F

And, Y'all are carrying a dry bag with extra clothes, a towel, and a first aid kit, right? RIGHT? 
And your first aid kit in your dry bag should probably include some way to start a fire to warm somebody up if they do spend some time in frigid water. 

Around Houston, we don't have to think about that too often. But many of us paddle in other places, such as the Boundary Waters, or the Northwest coast, where wearing a wetsuit or dry suit should be considered. If you do need to think about a wetsuit or a dry suit, get them from a reputable dive shop that will help fit them to your body. 

Be safe out there!
See You On The Water!

Harmon Everett

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