Whitewater kayaking is becoming more
popular each year. The number of kayakers on the river has swelled
to an almost intolerable number on some stretches, particularly
park and play kayak spots.
One sure way to avoid the crowds,
however is to strap your boat on in the winter months. The
normal summer boat crowds will be nonexistent and you'll have
the same great water all to yourself. The only other kayakers you'll
chance upon will be hard-core junkies like yourself. After all,
what other class of boaters would put in with snow on the riverbanks.
Of course the obvious disadvantage
is the temperature of the air and more importantly, the water. The
good news is, though, that modern cold weather kayak gear is very
good. Gone are the days of heavy wool sweaters and leaky splashguards
bought at the local Goodwill outlet. Now you have bombproof dry
tops, dry suits and state of the art fabrics that keep you warm
even when wet.
Heavy neoprene gloves and pogies are
also good options for winter time boating, however make sure you're
comfortable with how the paddle feels while wearing gloves or pogies.
The first time you boat with a pair of pogies over your hands you
may feel constricted in your normal movement. Most wintertime kayakers
opt for the more versatile and comfortable neoprene gloves.
Another piece of essential winter
kayaking clothing is a warm skullcap. These fit tightly on
your head beneath your helmet. Since most body heat is lost through
your head, it's important to keep it toasty. If you don't
wear a skullcap you can expect to get some nasty ice cream headaches
if and when you flip over.
Speaking of flipping over, you might
not be as inclined to do much play boating in the cold, since there's
a higher likelihood that you'll have to Eskimo roll. Instead,
focus on doing day trips on the river not just park and play. Make
sure you run your shuttle before you put on though; you don't
want to do it at the end of your river trip when you're wet
and cold.
While floating the river, you'll
notice how different it looks and feels during the winter months.
Yes it's cold, but it's beautiful in a stark crisp way.
It never ceases to amaze me how snow and frost can make a familiar
river seem like something from another world.
If you're into play boating despite
the cold, you'll probably come across some river features you haven't
seen during the summer. Higher winter water levels may form more
extreme whitewater features. The waves and holes will be bigger
and more challenging. Be vigilant about what's upstream of you,
higher flows can fill the river with all sorts of nasty debris.
Back surfing for extended periods isn't recommended. You don't
want to take a floating log in the back.
Another tip for winter whitewater
boating is to take longer breaks between surfs and hole rides. Let
your body warm up between dousings. Most likely you won't be
able to play as long as you do in the summer. Joints and muscles
get stiffer quicker when it's cold. Also don't expect
to rip it up quite as much as you're used to. You're wearing
lots more layers than just your lifejacket, and the extra clothing
can be restrictive.
It's even more important to boat
with a buddy during the winter. Hypothermia can set in quickly if
you happen to take an unexpected swim in 40-degree whitewater. You'll
need someone close by to get you to shore in a hurry. In fact, if
you're not completely confident in your kayaking and rolling
abilities, winter boating probably isn't a good idea…unless
you're in Florida.
However, if you're up to the
challenge, winter whitewater kayaking is an amazing adventure. The
extra effort you need to put into your river trip will be well worth
it.
