Symposiums and big groups are lots of fun of course. In addition I really enjoy teaching private lessons. For the last couple years I’ve been doing more and more of this at my local lake. Of course with my busy summers it can be really hard to make the time. On the other hand, spending summer morning or sunny afternoon helping someone polish a roll or working with young couples who just want a new activity to do together is really a great experience.

This year there are some folks really chomping at the bit to get out and start paddling and I’m sure they are a bit bummed out that I’m saying we should wait a few more weeks. (sorry guys!) But the water is still just brutal and of course the way I teach, you WILL end up in the water!

One of the most common questions beginners ask in that first email goes something like, “Is there any special clothing I need?”. So let’s talk about that just a bit. First off here in the states we are blessed with lots of lakes and ponds that warm up in the summer so we can often get away with a lot less than if we were holding lessons in big cold open water.

It goes without saying you need a PFD (life jacket). If you are just taking a class a PFD should be provided but it can’t hurt to ask. We could spend all day talking about PFDs, but for now I’ll assume you will have one provided.

You’ll also want some sort of footwear. Sneakers are out! Aqua socks are fine. The only thing we try to watch with shoes is that they drain the water, and they don’t have any strings or straps that could get caught on the footrests. Nothing loose. Investing in aqua socks saves a debate later on what is defined as “loose”. Most instructors won’t allow you to take a class In bare feet.

Now as far as your clothing in general there are a bunch of little factors that go into what’s best. So let me break that down a bit.

In the summer and in warm water you could get away with about any sort of clothing however, it’s a good idea not to wear cotton. Cotton just soaks in the water and becomes heavy. It also just keeps you cold and wet. So what you should look for is clothing with “wicking” properties. That means that the clothing actually pulls the water off your body to the surface and allows it to evaporate off the surface. This keeps you warmer and it dries much faster. Any shop can point you to a variety of clothing that are made of wicking materials. Oh, I should add that this includes underwear!! No one wants wet, squishy underwear!

Now we could stop there if it were not for the fact that eventually either intentionally or by accident you WILL end up IN the water. Once you are in the water, the rules can change. Even on a warm day with warm water it’s easy to get chilled. Unless you’re in a protected geothermal lagoon in Hawaii, bikinis and Speedos just won’t cut it. If you get cold easily or you just may not be out in perfect conditions you should add something with a bit of insulation. Probably the most common clothing we think of are called Hydroskins from NRS. Hydroskins are somewhere in between a wet suit and your wicking gear. They will keep you a bit warmer on those cool days and insulate you a bit in cooler water. At the same time Hydroskins are quite thin so you can wear them comfortably and even toss your paddling jacket over the top to cut the wind. Hydroskins are probably the one best bit of gear you can get early on in your paddling experience. They are not all that expensive (tops & pants around $85 each) and they will make all those borderline days much more enjoyable.

Of course you don’t need a paddling jacket when you are just trying to figure out if you like the sport. However, if you are starting to find you like being out on the water, this is probably your next purchase. What I look for in a paddling jacket is something that stops the wind (I mean really, stops the wind), and a jacket that keeps you protected from splash, and at the same time drains water quickly if you do end up swimming. Again a paddling jacket will not hold water. People often think they can just wear a windbreaker, but if it has that little insulation layer inside, it will keep you wet and cold. A nice paddling jackets start around $40 and go up into the hundreds. Nothing wrong with buying a cheap one to start out as long as it keeps you comfortable.

As I said before, I won’t start doing private lessons for another month. The water is just too cold right now, even though there are many nice warm days. Right now if we were going to be in the water we would have to invest in more specialized gear. People who paddle year around eventually have to talk more about layering and look at wetsuits (which are big rubbery things that keep you wet, but warmer) and drysuits which keep you dry even if you swim. But we won’t worry about that stuff until you know you’re addicted.

So a recap. . .

For a beginner class in warm conditions you should wear aqua socks on your feet, wear wicking clothing (no cotton), and if you feel ambitious you can invest in hydroskins or a paddling jacket although they are not required. Many shops will have these extras available if you happen to take a class on a chilly day.

Learn More:

Head To Toe Outfitting from Canoe & Kayak Magazine

Clothing Section at Rutabaga.com

Reed Chill Cheater

NRS

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