WINTER PADDLING TIPS, LEARNED THE HARD WAY!

As stand-up paddle boarding soars in popularity as a summertime sport, more paddlers are beginning to venture out in the winter as well. And for good reason. Summer in Canada is beautiful, but it is also short. If you do not want your boards to collect dust for 9 months of the year, you either have to flock south (like a Canada Goose!) or tempt going out in colder weather. Fortunately, modern SUPs are fit for year-round use – and with the right skills and equipment, a reasonably confident paddler can extend their SUP season well into the shoulder months, and even winter. You can enjoy kaleidoscopic fall colors, bright snowy landscapes, or the budding freshness of spring – all from aboard your favorite SUP! And you also get to enjoy the added calm absent summer crowds.

Naturally, venturing out in colder weather presents a whole new set of risks and challenges for the intrepid paddler. The shoulder seasons are relatively easy to manage, but winter paddling can be more hazardous and warrants some extra caution. Falling in the water can be a dangerous possibility in sub-zero temperatures. The risks of hypothermia, frostbite, and drowning are all elevated, and the difficulties of dealing with cold, snow, and ice, might surprise you with unexpected difficulties. It pays to think ahead and learn from other's mistakes – so without further ado, here are some lessons we have learned over the years paddling throughout our cold, Canadian winters.

CLOTHING:

For the confident paddler, warm winter clothing might seem adequate enough. A warm puffy jacket, winter gloves, a toque (that's the Canadian name for a winter hat or beanie!) and some insulated pants and winter boots are certainly items you will want to bring along in cold temperatures. However, standard winter clothing will become heavy and burdensome if you fall in the water, making it hard to swim (no matter how infrequently you fall, you should also be prepared for it to happen!) and won't do much to fend off the cold once soaked with water.  For those reasons, you absolutely should wear a lifejacket (hey, it's extra insulation!) and a leash to prevent your board getting away from you!

To really cover your bases, I would recommend getting a winter wetsuit. Neoprene wetsuits are surprisingly inexpensive, readily available, and only a fraction of the cost of a dry suit – and there are options designed to keep you warm in freezing temperatures. They provide an excellent insulating layer and unlike standard winter clothing, will protect you in the case that you fall in. We have remained quite comfortable in 5mm (about 0.2 in) neoprene wetsuits well in sub-zero temperatures, and you can always layer dry winter clothing on top to stay comfortable. These won't keep you warm if you plan to get in and out of the water, as they are not as effective in the air, but will at least provide enough protection that you can get safely back to somewhere warm, in the event you fall in.

Neoprene gloves, hoods, and footwear are also available – and will suffice to modestly cold temperatures. However, these items do not perform as well in the air as they do in the water, and for that reason I most often elect for some winter work gloves, wool socks in waterproof hikers, and a nice warm toque instead.

Of course, the best option is a full dry suit, but a good one will likely cost you more than your board. If you plan to do a lot of winter paddling, it might be worth the investment.

2. A WATERPROOF BAG & EMERGENCY GEAR: 

In the event you do fall in the water, you'll want to have a towel, and a stash of backup clothing and additional layers readily available. If we are planning to go any distance, we keep these supplies in a dry bag on the front of the board. A waterproof bag is one item that I rarely go without – it provides a secure place to keep your essentials and car keys and can be easily accessed on the water if secured to the cargo straps on the front of your board.

Choose a good quality waterproof bag to ensure your items don't get wet, and keep in mind some materials become brittle in colder temperatures. As a side-tip, when you roll up the waterproof bag to secure it, make sure to trap some extra air inside (like a balloon!). If it's airtight, it's definitely watertight, and the added buoyancy will ensure it doesn't sink. 

3. WATER ACCESS:

In colder temperatures, it becomes more important that you stay dry. In the summer, it's easy to wade out into the shallows to find enough depth for fin clearance and start your paddle. In the winter, you most likely will want to avoid doing this, so that your feet don't get soaked, and subsequently become ice-cubes once exposed again to the cold air. You will want to think ahead, and plan entry and exit where deeper water can be accessed right from shore, so that you can mount and unmount your board without getting your feet wet. If there's ice along the shore, additional precautions should be taken (see below!).

SOURCE-https://irockersup.ca/blog/post/winter-paddling-tips-learned-the-hard-way