Drysuits For #Kayaking - Comfort and Protection

Otisco Lake

By Larry S. Kang
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Stress, tension and pressure tend to limit everyday fun and enjoyment, but Nature can act as a perfect escapade in such circumstances. Water sports in the vast seas and backwaters are popular with many nowadays, and more people have started developing a passion for it. Kayaking involves paddling a small boat with a covered deck and a cockpit. Kayakers sit in forward facing positions and use a double bladed paddle. Kayaking can be a great adventure and is essential that you have appropriate and good quality gear to protect you while on the water.
A drysuit allows the kayaker to stay warm and dry even while in water. Drysuits, unlike wetsuits, are loose fitting and more comfortable to wear. Drysuits provide thermal insulation and prevent water from entering. They are typically more expensive than wetsuits, and can become quite uncomfortable in hot and warm air. Drysuits can be worn with an undergarment, which can wick out your sweat through its fabric and reduce how much you get soaked from your own perspiration.
It is best to try on different drysuits and choose the one that fits you perfectly so that you can have a safe kayaking expedition. Drysuit accessories include reinforcement patches for the seat and knees and internal suspenders to keep the suit from falling down. Dry socks seal your legs and zippered pockets on the sleeves or legs come in handy to hold small essentials. Some drysuit models can be worn with hoods to protect your head.
The main part of a drysuit can comprise a waterproof shell made of a material such as neoprene. Seals at the wrist and neck made of latex rubber or neoprene prevent water from entering the drysuit to some extent. Latex seals are supple but may need regular replacements because of deterioration due to exposure to the environment. Neoprene seals, though longer lasting, are stiffer and do not seal as well and cannot prevent water entry as efficiently as the latex ones. There are many different types of drysuits to choose from. Membrane drysuits are made from thin materials like vulcanized rubber or nylon and need to be a bit oversize to be flexible as they don't stretch as easily.
These are easy to wear and take off, and are extremely comfortable for long periods of kayaking. Neoprene drysuits are made of buoyant and insulating material and the insulation remains intact even on being torn or punctured. These are more rigid than membrane dry suits and hence less flexible. Hybrid drysuits are a combination of the membrane and neoprene drysuit types, for example, with membrane on the top and neoprene at the waist. The tight lower part makes kicking while swimming easy and loose top eases arm movements.
There are numerous optional arrangements which can be used along with drysuits. Thermal undergarments can be worn with membrane dry suits to provide more insulation during kayaking tours in cold seas and oceans. Drysuits can also come with wrist seals, permanent gloves and also attachment rings. You may need to use your hands often or may also be able to have permanent gloves. You can choose your most convenient one depending on your needs.
Find a store and get your choice of drysuit as they an important role in letting you have a safe, successful and fun kayaking our experience.
If you are interested in learning more about kayaking drysuits [http://basickayaking101.com/gearing-up/kayak-clothing/drysuits-for-kayaking], take a look at informative websites such as Basic Kayaking 101: Kayaking for Beginners [http://www.basickayaking101.com].
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The Capsize Drill for a Closed Cockpit #Kayak

Waterloo to Seneca Lake

By Matt Stephens
Capsizing and Escaping from a Closed Cockpit Kayak - The Basic and First Procedure
Introduction
When kayaking one of the most crucial things to be able to do is escape from your kayak should you need to, for example if you capsize and are unable to roll back up and there is no one else in the vicinity to rescue you (using a T Rescue, or often called an Eskimo Rescue).
Before setting out on the water the correct equipment should be worn; buoyancy aid (life jacket), helmet, warm clothing - dry, semi dry kagool or clothing to protect from elements (sun, rain, wind), appropriate foot wear. Other optional equipment includes a spray deck (covering the cockpit, stopping water to enter the kayak) in the form of cloth or neoprene.
The Capsize and Escape Drill (in a scenario)
You are out paddling on the river with your local kayak club on mild water (grade 1 - 2) and find you loose balance within some moving water and consequently end upside down. You have not yet learnt to self rescue (screw roll, hand roll) yourself back up.
1) Don't panic - doing so will reduce the amount of time you are able to hold your breath and may also lead to mistakes. Relax...that's the key.
2) When the kayak's settled in the water (ie. not still rolling over) its time for the most important part of the drill, Three loud bangs on the bottom of the kayak. To do this simply lean forwards (moving your head towards the spray deck) and reaching your hands out of the water onto the base of the kayak, in the middle of the cockpit area. From here bang three times.
This allows other kayakers near to you to be aware of your situation and take appropriate action.
This could lead to your being rescued in the form of an Eskimo Rescue.
3) Next, whilst remaining leant forward, move your hands into the same position as the three bangs stage above. This time however, bring your hands further towards the front of the kayak (around level with the front of your cockpit) whilst keeping them out of the water. They should now be positioned to the side of the kayak.
Now whilst holding this position, move your hands so that the palms of your hand are facing you (meaning your little finger is touching the kayak on both sides). Now move both hands down to the rear of the kayak, slowly, whilst keeping them out of the water as if you were directing a lorry reversing into a space.
Once your hands are level with the rear of the cockpit (around level with the back of your seat), turn your palms around so that they now face the front of the kayak. Then move them in a Reciprocating fashion, back and forth from front to back. See diagram below.
See diagram: http://www.eveshampaddlesport.co.uk/images/capsize_hand.jpg
This may seem silly but this allows you to find the nose of a kayak should someone try to Eskimo Rescue you by bringing their kayak in a T Shape to yours.
If this were a Eskimo Rescue you'd now pull yourself from the other kayakers kayak back up.
Lets continue as if there was no-one to rescue you, meaning you now need to escape the kayak and get wetter.
4) Pull the loop/strap/hoop at the front of your cockpit which is attached to your spray deck (the device that stops water entering your kayak).
This releases your deck, and water will start to enter your kayak. Don't panic!
5) Next whilst remaining in your kayak move your hands to behind the rear of your seat, with one hand either side of the kayak.
Push off from here using your hands, and you will naturally pivot out of your kayak in a sort of side ways "U" Shape.
6) You are now swimming in the water, whilst keeping hold of your paddle and kayak swim to the nearest or safest get out point (such as a slipway or fishing platform) and make an egress.
Note: whilst swimming a fellow kayaker may be able to empty your kayak of water and get you back in whilst still remaining on the river. This is called an "X Rescue".
Empty kayak and keep warm, by wrapping up and keeping out of the wind.
Matt Stephens
Evesham Paddlesport, 2007
[http://www.eveshampaddlesport.co.uk]
The Vale of Evesham's Kayak and Canoe Club
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Need for this Weekend at Long branch Park in Willow Bay Seeking Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board Competitors for the Onondaga Cup and Lakefest on July 16

Joseph Bufano president for the Chargers Rowing Club and one of the event organizers for the above referenced event. We are looking to fill a few remaining spots for our kayak and paddle board competition for the event. I was hoping you could share this with your members/organization to see if we could get some more interest. 

event page
registration page
news article

CNY Kayakers Kayaking trip to Lakeview 

The Adventure of #Kayaking

Chippewa Bay June 26, 2016

By Larry S. Kang

Nature has always surprised man with its bountiful abundance of beauty and strength. The mighty seas and the long rivers, twisting and turning, and the fierce rapids have always been intimidating. However, there are those adventurers that master the waters through various means, and kayaking is one of these. In one style of kayak, the paddler faces forward with their legs in front of them underneath a deck, and uses a double bladed paddle. Another style is the sit on top kayak. Most kayaks have a long front and rear deck and differ according to the type of water they are designed for. Ocean or sea kayaking is often done in the open sea, while whitewater kayaking is kayaking down the river rapids.

Kayaking adventures come in various different forms throughout the world. Kayaking enthusiasts commonly engage in whale watching, for example. Getting a glimpse of a gray whale or a humpback whale can be a memorable lifetime experience. Some kayakers have even had the opportunity to go kayaking alongside orcas, or killer whales. In a kayak, you can explore the extraordinary wilderness of the ocean in its fullest beauty. Having your own kayaking adventure increases awareness about the environment, the ecosystem and the need to preserve it.

Kayaking lets you discover and enjoy the enchantment and wonder of the beautiful waters and unmatched skies. Outstanding scenery and wildlife are added attractions which kayaking offers and acts as a total stress reliever. In addition to sea kayaking, kayaking adventures can also include lake kayaking and river rafting excursions. It is not necessary to have some prior experience in kayaking as guides who value safety and training as top priorities are available to cater to small groups of kayaking enthusiasts.

Thousands of plants, hundreds of different birds, and pristine waterways await you when you set out on a kayaking expedition. Like in every other sport, there is equipment that no paddler should be without. The primary equipment obviously is the kayak. The type of kayak largely depends on the size of the water body you plan to go kayaking in. For example, whitewater kayaks are much different from sea kayaks. The kayak you choose depends on what type of paddling you prefer, whether whitewater, lake, or ocean.

The next essential piece of equipment is the paddle. There are different types of paddles for different types of kayaking. A little research online or at an outdoor equipment store can help you choose the right paddle for your kayak. Also needed will be a life jacket, or personal flotation device, for every kayaker. Helmets are also required for whitewater kayaking. So, if you intend to go whitewater kayaking, you should definitely include a helmet on your shopping list.

Now that you have a fair idea of the abundant fun kayaking offers and the necessary equipment for this activity, pack your bags, set out on your kayaking expedition, and most of all enjoy! And, please remember to pack all your safety gear such as your life jacket or personal flotation device to ensure safe kayaking adventures!

Larry Kang is a writer on outdoor recreation topics such as hiking, kayaking, and nature photography. Learn more about kayaking trips [http://www.kayaksandkayaking.com] at Kayaks and Kayaking - Kayaking Trips [http://kayaksandkayaking.com/category/kayaking-trips].

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