On… Cold Weather Boating
From The Series “On… Boating”
Terry Price

Recently it has come to my attention that there may be some people who are missing the joys of boating in the wintertime just because of the cold weather. Is it because they just don’t want to participate in outdoor activities as a rule or is it because they lack the basic knowledge to outfit themselves comfortably in cold weather? Well, for the former I can be of no help. But for the latter, I might be able to shed some light.

Personally winter is one of my favorite times to go boating, along with spring, summer, and fall! In the winter you can actually discern landmarks better because of the trees having dropped their foliage. It is a rare winter float indeed that you will fail to see several bald eagles on many of our Ozark Streams. To me there is nothing more beautiful than putting in when everything is covered with a pristine white snowfall. And when you do, odds are that you will have the River to yourself. In the winter there is a better chance that following a rain or snow fall the whitewater runs will rise to a doable level. The vegetation that normally sucks up the run-off is dormant and more of the water actually reaches the riverbed. Making you cold yet? Let me see if I can light a fire on Cold Weather Boating!

First of all, and I truly believe this, there is no such thing as bad weather. There is only bad gear. Some people will tell you not to go boating if the water temperature plus the air temperature is less than 100 degrees. This is a myth. However, whitewater boating requires more consideration than does “Cooler” canoeing in these kinds of temperatures. I have kayaked in combined temperatures of 35 degrees and less and lived to tell the story. Whitewater boating is a very wet sport, but you should always consider the possibility of complete immersion regardless of the type of boating you are doing. After all, you will be on the water and water is by nature, very wet!

On… “Cooler” Canoeing
Generally speaking, on a “cooler” canoe run I can usually refrain from falling out of my boat when I set my mind to it regardless of what my “cooler” canoe friends might think! So usually I will not suit up in full whitewater regalia. But I will however, keep in mind the possibility of complete immersion. So the first thing you need to know about winter clothing is this: COTTON WILL KILL YOU. Leave all of your cotton clothing at home. Now I am a staunch advocate of blue jeans and T-shirts, but cotton clothing has no place in outdoor cold weather activities. It retains absolutely no insulating qualities whatsoever when wet and if it becomes so, will actually serve to disperse your body heat outward away from your body. Also, once wet, cotton will not dry in cold weather. It will freeze instead and you could find yourself wearing a block of ice. Remember, just because it is cold does not mean you won’t work up a sweat during active boating. You don’t have to fall in to get wet.

Instead you should wear layers of synthetic materials. Some examples of these are polypropylene, pile, and fleece. These materials will retain a large percentage of their insulating qualities even when soaked. And if they become so, you can actually whip them around over your head and shake the water out of them. I can take my synthetics out of the washing machine’s spin cycle and they are dry enough to wear immediately. Synthetic material also “wicks” moisture away from your skin. This means if you work up a sweat paddling hard to get to that gravel bar for lunch, these materials will wick that moisture outward to your outer layers where it can evaporate instead of just soaking it up and causing a cold, wet layer against your skin. The way this works is that your body produces a warm moisture vapor that tends to push away from you because of your body heat. The synthetic materials will allow this moisture vapor to pass through to your outer layers where it can evaporate, while not absorbing it and becoming wet. This goes for your hat, gloves, and socks as well. (Sometimes, however I will cheat and wear my leather G-string, but it is not really recommended for cold weather!)

The problem with these materials is that they are by no means windproof. So you will need a windproof shell as your outer layer. Nylon works well-pants as well as top. I personally prefer Gore Tex material. Gore Tex is a material that is waterproof, yet breaths and is completely windproof. I will not go into the technical aspects of Gore Tex here, but this stuff is the bomb! It will serve as your rain suit as well as your wind suit. Plus it breathes which will keep you more comfortable as the moisture vapor coming off your body is allowed to pass through and evaporate. Once again keeping you from that clammy, wet, and cold feeling. When they start making Gore Tex G-strings I will be the first in line!

Here is how I will typically suit up for a cold weather “cooler” canoe run. One layer of polypropylene long underwear, one pair of fleece pants, one fleece top, synthetic socks, Gore Tex pants, Gore Tex top, Gore Tex hat & gloves, and a good pair of hiking boots. And don’t forget your PFD! If you don’t have Gore Tex gloves, nylon shells are available fairly cheap for wind protection.

The best rule of thumb for cold weather boating is this: In order to stay warm and comfortable-don’t get cold! Now you may be saying to yourself “well, duh”, but let me explain. Most times when I am fully suited up as previously described, I am too warm to be active so I will start peeling layers to stay comfortable and regulate my body temperature. But when the activity slows or ceases, be sure you put your hat, gloves and outer layers back on BEFORE you get cold. It is easier to stay warm than to try to warm your body back up.

I always take a dry bag of extra clothing in case I make that silly mistake of falling out of my boat or in case someone else gets cold because they didn’t read this article. Also, you can cut a piece of closed cell foam to insulate your hiney from that cold canoe seat. Since there is always a brisk upstream wind no matter which way the River flows, you can use a little zinc oxide to help protect your face from windburn if you need it. Plus you’ll look like your enjoying a summer’s day wearing it! Canoes can haul a lot stuff. Keep in mind; the very best gear in the world will do you no good sitting at home. It is better to have it than to need it. So bring it. Toss in a pair of knee length rubber boots in case you have to get out and drag through a shallow spot. Forget the hip waders. If you fall in wearing these, you will weigh 900 pounds and if you can actually stand up afterwards, you will be standing in a full body bathtub of ice water.

On… Cold Weather Whitewater Boating
If you are whitewater boating in cold weather, a different approach is necessary. At some point during the run you are definitely going to get wet and you may spend most of the day wet depending on the run and how much you play. If you boat like I do, you will start wet at the Put-in and continue so until you take out. Not to mention if you have to roll or worse yet swim.
The same concept of layering applies to whitewater boating as well as the same kind of fabrics. And as far as that goes, a lot of these synthetic clothes are available in different “weights”. This usually refers to the thickness and density of the material. They will generally be available in light, medium, and heavy or expedition weights. I personally use only heavy or expedition weight synthetic clothing. Anything less than that I consider to be a waste of money. You can experiment, but I have never been sorry for my particular preference.

On… Wet or Dry?
Because of the fact that you will spend more quality time being wet while whitewater boating, more consideration for maintaining your body’s core temperature must be taken into account. For years the standard for doing this has been to wear a wetsuit. Typically, a “farmer john” wetsuit. This is a one-piece wetsuit with no sleeves. It allows for maintenance of core temperature while still allowing for a full range of upper body motion. The wetsuit was originally designed for scuba diving and it actually adapts quite nicely for whitewater boating. It is called a “wet” suit because in total immersion scenarios it works by allowing a thin layer of water between your body and the suit, which is made of a material known as neoprene. Your body then warms that layer of water, and it then serves as the insulating layer. When you purchase your wetsuit you want it to fit you like a second skin without being overly constrictive. If your wetsuit is too loose on you it won’t work because that will allow too much of an exchange of cold and warm water to that insulating layer. Also, and I know this from hard experience; get one that has a zipper down the front. They are easier to get into and out of. For your feet, “booties” are made from the same material and there are booties with harder soles available for walking around on the rocks. I always purchased my booties ½ size too large because I always liked to wear a pair of fleece socks under them for extra warmth. You will also need to wear a synthetic top of some sort under your wetsuit because the suit will not cover your arms. You may find another one over the top helpful as well. As with “Cooler” canoeing, you will need some sort of outer shell. These are commonly known as “spray-jackets”. Typically made from heavy denier nylon, they have neoprene/Velcro closures around your wrists, neck, and waist around the outside of your spray skirt reducing that ice-cold trickle of water down your back. Since the jacket is taking the brunt of the water splash it will be cold so be sure you wear your insulating layers in conjunction with your wetsuit. Should you find yourself enjoying a cold weather swim, this combination works very well and will serve to maintain your body’s core temperature. For years I have enjoyed many cold-water swims with this system. It is a less expensive system to help you enjoy cold weather boating.

As good as that system is, however, I personally find a few minor drawbacks to it. Neoprene is a rubber-like material that does not breath and I find it produces a clammy feeling that I dislike and it makes me uncomfortable. Also when nature calls and it’s time to make that pit stop, you have to shuck everything on top to get down to business. This is where that zipper down the front comes in especially handy! With neoprene booties, the fleece socks underneath seem to negate that clammy feeling and wetsuit booties have been the gold standard for warm as well as cold weather boating footwear.

The system I prefer for cold weather whitewater boating is the “dry suit”. This is a one or two piece affair also made from heavy denier nylon or like material that features latex gaskets for your wrists, neck and ankle seals. Because these gaskets form a tighter, more waterproof seal around these points, these suits are a very dry alternative in an immersion situation. Hence the name! And because they are made of a lighter weight material than neoprene, you will enjoy more freedom of movement while wearing one. The dry suit is simply a shell and will require more synthetic insulating layers underneath them than does a wetsuit for warmth. Both top and bottom. I use a two-piece dry suit, which consists of a top and bottom. With this choice I can adjust to changing weather conditions. Usually I can get away with just the top, but if I swim doing this, it will be a cold one without the bottoms because water will sneak up under my spray skirt to my torso. And from the waist down I am not protected at all except for my leather G-string! The bottoms of the two-piece dry suit are designed to form a seal with the top and your spray skirt making it watertight. I find this system to have a little more versatility than the one piece. I have actually spent the day rolling and playing in my boat and at the Take-out, just tossed off my dry suit and drove home wearing the insulating layers. That’s how dry these things are. I know some people who own one piece dry suits and love them. They will all tell you, however, when you purchase one to get one with a zipper down the front instead of the back. Must be that call of nature thing again! Dry suits are a relatively more expensive system than the wetsuit, especially if you go Gore Tex, which I strongly recommend. But they are worth they’re weight in gold if you do a lot of cold weather boating or just want that extra degree of comfort.

Be sure you bring a fleece skullcap or three for under your helmet. Too much rolling in cold water without one and you will feel like you have just quaffed a gallon of ice cream in under 10 seconds! Brain freeze!
I know very few Kayakers that wear gloves. OC-1 paddlers can get away with this and usually prefer the neoprene (wetsuit material) variety. Kayakers will loose the feel for the indexing on their paddle shafts. For kayaking and C-1 boaters, poagies are the way to go. Poagies are fleece lined “sleeves” that Velcro to your paddle shaft and have gauntlet like cuffs. You stuff your hands in these and have direct hand contact with your paddle shaft while your hand is protected from spray and wind and stay very warm. For most they take a bit of getting used to but once done, you will swear by them. If you absolutely must wear gloves for whatever reason, try taping a Popsicle stick or similar such something to your paddle shaft to build up the indexing so you can feel it through your gloves.

Now I make no claims on being a nutritionist since my favorite snacks are sticks of lard! But I do know this. Your body is like a wood stove. To produce heat it must be properly fueled. Your body burns calories to produce heat and keep itself warm. So fuel up before putting in and bring plenty of high calorie snacks to quaff on the River. And don’t forget plenty of drinking water. It is very easy to dehydrate in cold weather without even feeling thirsty. If you get a chill, eat and drink something. And here is a little known fact. If you have to go to the bathroom, stop, get out of your boat, and do so. Your body will waste calories trying to keep this extra fluid and last night’s chili warm when it’s not really necessary. Trust me, as painful as it may seem to do so, you will be warmer for it. Which brings me to the most painful part of all. After having said this, I will deny it to my dying day, which will probably not come any too soon for those who know me best! And to avoid future embarrassment, I’m only going to say this once! Save the alcohol for the takeout! (Whew! That was tougher than I thought!) Contrary to what I might try to convince you of, alcohol in your blood does not serve as antifreeze! In fact, alcohol in your blood will cause you to go hypothermic faster. And DO NOT give alcohol to someone who is hypothermic, unless, of course, it’s me, and I prefer good vodka!

Here are a few items I like to carry in my dry bag for “just in case”. I carry one of those blocks of fire starter. A space blanket. An extra bic lighter or two. You can also dip matches (the strike on anything variety) in candle wax to waterproof them and put them in an aspirin bottle or something and bring them too. A mini mag light and good batteries (it gets dark early in the winter), and an extra fleece top. Maybe a good wool or fleece hat and gloves for when I stop and get out. When your feet get cold, put your hat on. You can lose up to 60% of your body heat through the top of your head. More if your dome is chrome like mine! Always remember and never forget, pee before you put all this crap on because you will absolutely have to immediately after you do!

With a combination of the right gear, the basic knowledge to use it, and some common sense you can enjoy cold weather boating just as much if not more than summer boating. Be sure to get plenty of pictures so people will believe you went boating in a foot of snow. And let me know how it turned out. Since my cut-off is 75 degrees this year I’ll be in front of my fireplace swilling spiced hot buttered beer and thinking about …Cold Weather Boating.

Fun Fact: Many of today’s synthetic fibers for outdoor wear are actually spun from recycled 2 liter plastic drink bottles. So while you’re having fun romping in the snow, you’re actually helping the environment. How’s that for rationalization!

Fun Fact II: After a nice swim always be sure to watch that leather G-string, especially if it’s rawhide! Those suckers have a nasty tendency to draw up tight when wet!

Some Free Advice: When you are purchasing your cold weather gear always try to find the very best stuff you can get your hands on. Stick with the tried and true major producers such as Patagonia, North Face, Kokotat, Immersion Research, and the others that specialize in cold weather clothing and boating gear. It will cost you a few extra bucks and you can get away cheaper, but you won’t regret owning the good stuff. It will last longer and perform better. I have probably spent $500,000,000 starting with the less expensive, lower quality gear and continuously upgrading until I finally got what worked best. Which was what I wanted in the first place. My cold weather frolicking is worth a lot to me and I don’t want to pass up a good chance to do so just because I don’t feel my gear is up to snuff. In the long run it would have saved me money as well as a few shivers if I’d just got the good stuff first