{"id":685,"date":"2014-02-18T11:46:53","date_gmt":"2014-02-18T11:46:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/?page_id=685"},"modified":"2015-03-04T15:56:43","modified_gmt":"2015-03-04T15:56:43","slug":"clothing-for-canoeing-or-kayaking","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/?page_id=685","title":{"rendered":"Clothing for Canoeing or Kayaking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now, it is the policy of KSCC to provide Cags to keep the worst of the water off and the wind out, however, we are often asked by regular paddlers what to wear when on the river.<\/p>\n

Put very simply – wear what is going to be comfortable for the conditions! Now that’s easy to say but it really can be that simple; \u00a0if it’s sunny – shorts and T-shirt will be fine and if it’s Snowy, then\u00a0a lot more than that!<\/p>\n

If you’re coming down to KSCC then usually track trousers, T-shirt, sweatshirt and a lightweight waterproof(Cag) will be fine. For shoes, plimsolls or sililar\u00a0are best as they are still grippy when wet and do not take up too much space inside a kayak.<\/p>\n

While we do not say that everyone should buy a (VERY) expensive dry suit, this is a guide on using warm layers and applies not just for Dry Suits but for use with wind proofs, cags and other outer layers:<\/p>\n

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How does a dry suit or\u00a0cag\u00a0work? <\/strong><\/h1>\n

A dry suit\u00a0 doesn\u2019t keep you warm on it\u2019s own. The way to stay warm when paddling is to\u00a0 layer your clothing properly.<\/p>\n

A layering\u00a0 system is only as strong as the weakest link.\u00a0\u00a0 A full dry suit over jeans and a cotton t-shirt is not going to keep you\u00a0 warm as neither have any insulating property.<\/p>\n

However\u00a0 when a dry suit is accompanied with well-fitting base layers and fleeces you\u00a0 can stay warm and dry in some of the hardiest conditions!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Base Layer<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> This layer must have wicking quality. A\u00a0 wicking layer will remove perspiration from against your skin. Fabrics like\u00a0 cotton soak the sweat up and leave it next to your skin cooling you down and defeating\u00a0 the point.Mid Layers<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> This is your insulation. Your mid layer can be\u00a0 lightweight or heavy weight depending on the temperature or you can wear more\u00a0 than one.\u00a0 This layer or layers stop the\u00a0 heat your body is creating from leaving the suit keeping you toasty.\u00a0 It also stops the cold water\/air drawing the\u00a0 heat through your suit via conduction.Outer layer\/ Shell <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>A dry suit is the outer most shell\u00a0 to your layering system.\u00a0 It stops you\u00a0 getting cold by preventing wind and water touching your skin. Remaining dry is\u00a0 very important. Water\u00a0 cools you down\u00a0 more than\u00a0 20 times\u00a0 faster than air of the same temperature.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Heat is lost to the environment in four ways <\/strong> Radiation<\/strong> – Heat flows from a warmer object to a cooler one. Since your\u00a0 body is often warmer than the air, you lose heat when your skin is exposed.\u00a0 With the right clothing covering your body and a hat, you\u2019ll probably be more\u00a0 comfortable.
\nConvection<\/strong> – Heat is lost through air movement. A cold, windy day will\u00a0 steal your heat and energy faster than a calm day. Windproof garments will cut\u00a0 convective heat loss.
\nConduction<\/strong> – Heat is lost with contact with something cold and that loss\u00a0 is up to 32 times faster when that something cold is water. Conductive heat\u00a0 loss can be balanced with good insulation.
\nEvaporation<\/strong> – Heat dissipates when moisture leaves the body as vapor\u00a0 (perspiration). Even though it may be cold outside, if you are exerting\u00a0 yourself, you will sweat. As that sweat evaporates your body will get colder.\u00a0 You can manage that moisture with a good system of moisture wicking,\u00a0 hydrophobic insulation and breathable, waterproof clothing. By the way, cotton\u00a0 holds moisture, so it is not the best clothing to wear if you are trying to\u00a0 stay warm and dry.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Now, it is the policy of KSCC to provide Cags to keep the worst of the water off and the wind out, however, we are often asked by regular paddlers what to wear when on the river. Put very simply Read more…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":12,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-685","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=685"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/685\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":922,"href":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/685\/revisions\/922"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kingstonscoutscc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}