{"id":22163,"date":"2017-11-24T08:00:29","date_gmt":"2017-11-24T16:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=22163"},"modified":"2020-09-04T10:04:18","modified_gmt":"2020-09-04T17:04:18","slug":"top-4-paddling-tips-for-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/paddle\/top-4-paddling-tips-for-winter","title":{"rendered":"Top 4 Paddling Tips for Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Seattle-based REI Outdoor School instructor Valerie Cleland, kayaking offers her a chance to unplug, reconnect and explore the outdoors from a new perspective. She\u2019s a firm believer that cooler temperatures and less daylight shouldn\u2019t keep people from getting out on the water. In fact, a moonlit tour of Lake Washington is among her favorite kayaking trips to lead.<\/p>\n

Valerie loves helping people gain the confidence they need to get outside. For new kayakers, she recommends taking a kayak rescue class to learn techniques for the wet exit, self-rescue and how to help others get back in their boats.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re kayaking, paddle boarding or canoeing, here are her top four tips for paddling during winter.<\/p>\n

1. Dress for submersion. <\/strong>It\u2019s a best practice all year round, but especially in cold weather. Valerie\u2019s go-to outfit: a dry top with neoprene capri pants. She also recommends a full dry suit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Follow the 120-degree rule<\/strong>. The sum of the water and air temperatures should add up to at least 120 degrees. If not, consider wearing a neoprene wetsuit <\/a>or a dry suit.<\/p>\n

3. Wet feet means cold feet.<\/strong> Valerie opts for neoprene booties<\/a>, which allow your feet to get wet but will still keep them warm.<\/p>\n

4. See the stars.<\/strong> Use the fewer hours of daylight to your advantage and take in the night sky from the water. Pack your waterproof headlamp <\/a>and consider using deck lights<\/a> so it’s easier for other boats to see you.<\/p>\n

As always, be sure to bring safety equipment and the Ten Essentials<\/a>, as well.<\/p>\n

Not sure where to get started with paddling? REI stores and boathouses offer an array of paddling courses.<\/b><\/p>\nFind a Paddling Course Near You<\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For Seattle-based REI Outdoor School instructor Valerie Cleland, kayaking offers her a chance to unplug, reconnect and explore the outdoors from a new perspective. She\u2019s a firm believer that cooler temperatures and less daylight shouldn\u2019t keep people from getting out on the water. In fact, a moonlit tour of Lake Washington is among her favorite […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":22559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[586,349],"internal-tag":[1681,1442],"class_list":["post-22163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-paddle","tag-kayaking","tag-paddling","internal-tag-pre-redirect-paddling","internal-tag-seo"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/paddle\/top-4-paddling-tips-for-winter","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Top 4 Paddling Tips for Winter","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/paddle\/top-4-paddling-tips-for-winter","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/paddle\/top-4-paddling-tips-for-winter"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/11\/Skrobecki_032917_1196_Hero-Crop.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/11\/Skrobecki_032917_1196_Hero-Crop.jpg?fit=1500%2C600"},"articleSection":"Paddle","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Michelle Flandreau"}],"creator":["Michelle Flandreau"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["kayaking","paddling"],"dateCreated":"2017-11-24T16:00:29Z","datePublished":"2017-11-24T16:00:29Z","dateModified":"2020-09-04T17:04:18Z"},"rendered":"