Cold Water Kayaking

Today started like most of my days do. Jaedyn wakes me up and we both struggle to get ready and get out the door by 8:30 to get her to school. On a rare occasion I'll I have time to actually put barrettes in her hair or pull it back into pig tails or something. Not today. It was "here, put this hat on, lets go!"

So after dropping her off I left the YMCA parking lot on my five mile run down towards the beach and back. It was approximately 24 degrees when I started and I think that might have contributed to me getting a 38.59, a personal best time. I figured the faster I run the warmer I'll get, and it worked. I just kept the pace going after that. My best time up until today was a 40.50 and that was the Thanksgiving day turkey trot race.

Now ever since I received a new kayak for Christmas I've been using my dad's 7mm wet suit to get in some cold water kayaking this winter. Needless to say it's too big and really warm. So I've been looking for a suit of my own that would not only keep me warm but not restrict the movement of paddling. I found that in the NRS Farmer John 3mm wet suit. Today had to be my coldest day out yet and the suit held up beautifully. I wish that I could have been paddling all day but I feel that if I was out on the water longer than 3 hours I would have gotten really cold. I don't say this because of the wet suit but because of the jacket I was wearing. The columbia wind breaker just doesn't have the water proofing abilities of a paddling splash jacket. (next on my wish list) Although the search for the perfect jacket is still a W.I.P. (work in progress)

Air Temp: 24 degrees
Water Temp: 33 degrees
Water conditions: Calm ocean waves
Trip type: Day

Although I know Autumn would never allow it but I found the cutest little wet suit for Jaedyn so she could come with me. O.k. maybe not when its this cold but in the spring or fall when its still cool it might be a good idea. I figure if I start working on her now, Jaedyn will have one by spring time.