When the snow flies and icicles hang from your porch, going paddling probably isn’t the first winter sport you think of.  “Wait a minute,” you think, did she just call paddling a “winter sport.”  Yes, I did and no, I’m not entirely crazy.  Winter is a great time to get out on the water, even if it is cold and icy.  Sure, it takes a little more preparation but with the right gear paddling in the winter can be as much fun as in the summer.

The old saying, “The clothes don’t make a man” doesn’t apply in this situation; in fact, it’s just the opposite.  What you wear will determine whether you enjoy a day on the water or spend the day miserable and shivering.  As with any other cold-weather activity, layering is the key but for paddling we add a few unique items. 

It seems that life is just better after a day of kayaking, and this year there have been so many grand days to kayak both new and old routes.  Streamflows have been high.  Some exciting new paddle-routes have been explored.  A lot of great folks have taken up kayaking.  Many new boaters purchased boats over  the summer.  Join them as they explore the joys of paddling.  Getting wet is just part of the fun of this thrilling sport!  One student this summer, after rolling and wet exiting (tipping over and falling out of) her kayak 6 times in one mile, was still smiling when asked,  "Would you paddle again?"  "Oh yeah!" was the unqualified response, and this new paddler proceeded to tell all the others in her group how much fun it was to kayak.