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USE THESE TIPS FOR SAFE AND FUN PADDLING AND CAMPING IN THE OFFSEASON COLD WEATHER CANOEING
The off-season is a great time for canoeing and camping—there are no bugs, no crowds and no need for advance reservations. However, the chilly weather comes with its own set of challenges and increased risk for paddlers. Help prepare for early season paddling with the following tips.
DRESS APPROPRIATELY. Paddlers who are immersed in water lose body heat four to five times faster than in air of the same temperature. The ACA recommends that you wear protective clothing, such as a dry suit, if both the water and air temperature are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. While canoeists never expect to find themselves in the water, a swim at those extreme temperatures can lead to hypothermia in just minutes. Protect yourself. In addition to the protective clothing you wear, keep spare, warm clothing sealed in a dry bag. Learn more about protective clothing for cold weather paddling at
www.american-
canoe.com.
EYE THE TEMPERATURE. Open water can turn to ice overnight if the temperature drops low enough. Shallow areas and sheltered waters are the most likely places for this to occur. Iced-in paddlers can try waiting for the sun to thin the ice or can try hacking their way out with an axe or branch. Using your paddle isn’t recom- mended (it could break and you’ll need it to get home) nor is ramming the ice with your canoe. Getting iced-in can mean having to walk out—plan your route accordingly.
18 PADDLING MAGAZINE
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