Dressing for Kayaking
When the water is warm and the air temperature is even warmer, dressing properly for a day out on the water is easy. Your biggest concerns are staying protected from the sun's harmful rays and keeping hydrated. Of course, the best solution is to cover up and use sunscreen on exposed skin. Even on the hottest day, a lightweight, long sleeved shirt and long pants such as those made by ExOfficio are a good idea because they keep the sun off the arms and body. There are some great quick-drying, ultra-light materials on the market that provide a good balance of sun protection and coolness. For those using a sit-inside kayak, a mini spray shirt is a good option. Because the mini-skirt only covers the front part of the cockpit, it keeps the sun off your lower extremities without turning your kayak into a sweatbox. On the feet, a good pair of water shoes or sandals like Tevas will always come in handy, although some areas warrant additional foot protection, especially if you plan to step off your kayak and wade fish.
Quality sunglasses are another important means of protecting yourself from the sun, particularly early or late in the day when the sun's glare off the water can be blinding. Get sunglasses that are polarized and provide good UV protection. The UV light rays are very harmful to your eyes. Of course, you'll want to have some type of retainer strap so that they can't fall into the water.
*There's a reason why anglers like to use light, long-sleeved, quick drying shirts-they make life comfortable in the blistering heat.
When the air is warm and the water is cold, dressing appropriately can be a real challenge. No matter how warm the air is, swimming in cold water can drop your core body temperature to hypothermic levels at an alarming rate. On the flip side, being over-dressed in hot weather can result in a heat stroke. The key is dressing in a way that keeps you cool enough when things are going well, yet warm enough in the event of a capsize. A neoprene wetsuit is one of the best options for these conditions. A neoprene Farmer John provides good insulation for a modest price, and the cut of the garment allows a full range of movement in the shoulder without chafing. A wetsuit is a great foundation piece for your paddling wardrobe because as temperatures drop, you can add more clothing for warmth.
When both the water and the air temperature are cold, hypothermia becomes a serious hazard. You need to wear clothing that insulates well, both when dry and wet. This is where materials like fleece, polypropylene, and neoprene excel. Cotton is the worst option. Cotton dries very slowly and rather than insulating, it actually pulls heat away from your body. Wool is another good option, although it gets really heavy when it's wet and takes forever to dry.
Over your insulting layers, you'll likely want to have an outer layer that keeps the wind off your body. Waterproof nylon jacket and pants work well. For your feet, try neoprene booties and a pair of wool socks. The ultimate outer-layer protection against the cold is a dry suit. A dry suit uses latex gaskets at the ankles, wrists and neck to keep all water out, even when you're completely immersed. Dry suits are expensive, but if you spend a lot of time paddling in cold conditions it will be a great investment in terms of both comfort and safety. Of course, the best strategy of all is to avoid capsizing altogether. By paddling in protected areas and fishing conservatively, capsizing is highly unlikely. Fishing kayaks are so stable that as long as you're paddling in a sheltered area that isn't subject to strong wind or waves, there's no reason to flip. As an added precaution, it's also important that you stay close to shore, so in the unlikely event that you capsize, you can quickly swim to safety while your fishing buddies gather your equipment-when they're done laughing. The type of boat that you're paddling will also dictate how you'll need to dress in cold water. If you're paddling a sit-on-top kayak, you should prepare for your lower body to get wet, whereas a sit-inside will provide far more protection from the elements.
There are a number of other pieces of clothing that come in handy, and most kayaks have plenty of room to bring extra gear along. A wooly hat is a great addition on a chilly day, as are neoprene gloves, both of which will keep insulating if they get damp or wet. If you're using a sit-inside kayak, you can also wear a spray shirt to keep cold water out of your boat and allow your body heat to warm up the interior of the cockpit. Do yourself a favor and bring along a change of clothes stored in a dry bag. Should you unexpectedly become soaked on a cold day, you'll really appreciate this little nugget of advice.
Many people choose to wear waders to stay completely dry while kayaking. This is not a bad option, but it does require some forethought from a safety aspect. Waders full of water are very difficult to move around in and capsizing in deep water then becomes potentially deadly. To prevent large amounts of water getting inside your waders, you can wear a snug-fitting wading belt around the upper portion of the waders, This generally won't stop all of the water from entering, but it will slow the process down quite a bit, giving you more time to react and get yourself out of a bad situation.
Null, Scott, and McBride, Joel. KAYAK FISHING The Ultimate Guide 2nd Edition. Beachburg, Ontario: The Heliconia Press, 2008.
Kayak Fishing: GAME ON is an epic, new, fishing movie that follows renowned big-game kayak angler Jim Sammons around North America on the kayak fishing adventure of a lifetime. Fights with tarpon in Florida, halibut in Alaska, marlin in Baja, stripers in Chesapeake Bay, and muskie in Canada are just some of what you can expect to see in this exciting new film by The Heliconia Press. The movie features action and adventure, while providing a unique glimpse into the lifestyles of some of the most dedicated kayak anglers in the world, including Greg Bowdish, Howard McKim, Kevin Whitley, Jamie Pistilli, Matt Moyer and more.
Length: 60 minutes
Release Date: March 15, 2009
$29.95
Produced by THE HELICONIA PRESS