As the summer comes to an end, many people will be packing up their paddling gear for the next 6 months due to the change of conditions; however, at Asgard we encourage people to continue their hobby over the autumn and winter months because it is a chance for true vikings to challenge themselves.
- Dress for Success: Layering and Insulation
As the weather gets colder, it is of higher importance to wrap up in warm, insulated activewear such as wetsuits or base layers to avoid hypothermia or other health issues caused by exposure to the cold. If you are looking for a bag to store your winter-appropriate gear, look no further than the Aquaglide River Crossing Backpack, allowing plenty of room to store your gear.
- Practise Cold Water Safety
So now you have the appropriate clothing for winter paddling it is important to understand the health and safety protocols of braving the cold winter waters, here are three techniques we recommend:
- Know the 1-10-1 Rule: If you fall into cold water, you have 1 minute to control your breathing, 10 minutes of meaningful movement to get out of the water or signal for help, and 1 hour before hypothermia becomes life-threatening.
- Stay Close to Shore: Paddling close to shore ensures that if you capsize, you won’t have far to swim to reach safety.
- Buddy System: Always paddle with a friend. In winter, it’s even more critical to have someone who can assist in case of an emergency.
- The Best Year-Round Kayaks & iSUPs
Designed with stability in mind, fishing kayaks are a great choice when braving the harsh winter waters. Specifically, Aquaglide’s Backwood Angler is a great choice due to its wide frame (~45 inches) allowing buoyancy and stability on the water when battling against harsh weather conditions such as wind and large waves.
Canoes, such as Spinera’s Molveno 410 DLUL, are long and pointy, maximising the user’s manoeuvrability and are perfect for attacking harsh waters. The reinforced HDDS fabric on the bottom and sidewalls provides incredible stiffness and durability, making it perfect for all weather conditions.
The Sandbanks Style Ultimate RS iSUP is perfect for all conditions due to its durable, wide base. Its diamond grooved deck pad provides grip, allowing paddlers to remain on the board in wet, rainy conditions.
- Conclusion
In conclusion, the change of seasons does not mean a pause to your adventures on the water, rather an opportunity to push yourself to the limits and conquer the harsh conditions either by yourself or with a buddy. Although braving the cold is thrilling, it can be dangerous and it is of great importance to remember the necessary health and safety procedures that must be carried out beforehand.