Cold Weather Paddling

You must really love it to paddle out in this mess!

Friends and acquaintances who know I paddle will sometimes ask me if I paddle year round. When I reply yes, they ask how I tolerate the cold? My answer is often 'the same way any other outdoor athlete  does.' Because of the elements, I'll often shorten my paddle outings, especially when going out alone. Long exposure to cold temperatures can impair your physical and mental abilities, so it's smart to be careful and err on the side of safety. Remember that wet exposed skin will feel much colder than if it was dry. And a breeze or wind will only compound that experience. So if it's drizzling or raining, wear a hat and something that will help keep you dry and if the wind is blowing try to wear something that will cut the wind.

I prefer to avoid my wetsuit unless rougher conditions warrant it. For me, paddling in a full wetsuit is akin to paddling in a sweatsuit (the old fashioned weight-loss suits from the 80's). So on calm days when I won't be out for very long or paddle very far from my launch point, I'll often layer with athletic clothing. What and how much I wear really depends on the ambient temperature. I tend to prefer to start out feeling a little chilled because the effort of paddling generates a considerable amount of heat.

I've also found that wearing your PFD with help insulate your core and help keep you warmer all over. By not having to focus on keeping your core warm, your vessels and capillaries won't need to contract, which will keep your extremities warmer. And winter, with typically rougher conditions, is just a smart time to wear it anyway.

Fortunately, for days when conditions are less desirable, there is now a growing variety of SUP-specific wetsuits. They're designed to stretch and allow the movement of paddling and best of all, there are tops and bottoms. I think that having a separate wetsuit top and bottom allows better movement than a one piece suit. I think the only time I'll wear a full wetsuit again is when I'm playing in the ocean.

I prefer to paddle barefoot, but there's a time of the year when this just isn't possible. I've found that wearing wool socks inside of my booties helps keep my feet considerably warmer for a longer period of time, even when they're wet. I prefer DeFeet's Woolie Boolies. I've had several pairs for years and they barely show any sign of wear.

I also wear gloves in cooler temperatures. I often find myself taking them off halfway through a paddle, but they are good to start out with. When it's really cool, I'll bring my paddle inside the night before I go out - a cold paddle shaft can really chill your hands, especially if you don't wear gloves.

A winter hat is a great idea, again at least to start out with. You can always take it off and stuff it inside of your PFD.

Remember, know the conditions and respect the weather. Paddle conservatively in inclement weather. I hope this helps you better enjoy stand up paddling during the cooler winter months. I'll see you out there.