Can you paddle in winter?

If you think about it, the answer is obvious. Kayak paddling is originally an Arctic activity practised in ice-cold water. Hunting with a harpoon from the kayak was essential for survival for the Inuit, even though icebergs floated past the shore even in summer.

Paddling in winter is a special experience! You are usually alone on the water. The sounds are different, more muffled, and you avoid the noise from motorboats and jet skis. Rain and snow are no major problems – the kayak and the spray skirt cover about 75% of your body, and the part that is exposed – shoulders and arms – are active while you paddle.

The stillness and solitude naturally also present certain challenges. An emergency situation requires you to be prepared in a slightly different way than in summer. Help is usually a bit further away and the water temperature is something to respect. If you're inexperienced – avoid paddling alone! You generally need somewhat larger safety margins in winter.

Put simply, with a wetsuit you can extend your paddling season, and with a drysuit you can paddle year-round. However, remember that the suit only protects you for a limited time – you should get out of the water as quickly as possible. The drysuit is also not insulating in itself; you need to wear something underneath it. Avoid cotton! Next to the skin I would choose merino wool. It insulates even when wet, doesn't itch, and can be worn for three to four days before it starts to smell, unlike synthetic materials. The feet – at least mine – do surprisingly well. They are protected from rain and elements deep inside and are happy with wool socks and simple neoprene shoes. Are you prone to getting cold? Get neoprene boots – regular rubber boots tend to have trouble fitting. They are also easy to lose if you end up in the water.

For me, hands are a more sensitive matter. Prone to cold as I am, I choose thick neoprene mittens – they insulate reasonably well even when wet. Ordinary rubber washing-up gloves (as large as possible), with wool finger gloves underneath, are used by many. On top of that you can put on so-called "pogies", a large pot-holder-like mitten that you attach to the paddle shaft and stick your hands into.

If your drysuit doesn't have a hood, a balaclava is warm and comfortable, alternating with a regular wool hat. Separate neoprene hoods are also available.

Remember that you are active in the kayak – you get quite warm from paddling. You usually get cold on land. Bring a proper down jacket in your gear! In your gear you naturally also have a change of clothes.

You can make your way short distances across the ice with ice picks. However, be aware of how ice floes accumulate in narrow spots with flowing water or strong wind. It may be clear when you set out, but an impenetrable ice floe porridge when you come back a couple of hours later!

Have a mental preparedness: what do I do if I capsize? Can I release the spray skirt with mittens on my hands? Test before you head out!

But with some general paddling experience, proper clothing and a bit of common sense, you can enjoy paddling even on a winter day. I promise, it's something out of the ordinary! I remember how I myself slid across the ice edge with the ice picks on a clear February day. The kayak went silent as it glided into the black water and when I came around the headland I saw another paddler lying completely still at the shoreline with his head bowed. I looked at him and wondered if he needed help. Before I could ask, he looked up and smiled at me, as if he had read my thoughts:

– I'm listening to the music, he said – it was the ice crystals clinking against the rock edge.

Clothing advice for winter paddling
* Drysuit
* Wool next to the skin
* A warm outer garment, preferably a down jacket, for when you go ashore
* Proper mittens, preferably two pairs – a pair of wet mittens after the coffee break is no fun!
* Dry change of clothes
* Light. Darkness comes quickly! A bicycle light (white light!) in a plastic bag on deck works well.

If you're inexperienced, bring a paddling companion and stay close to shore!

Otherwise: the usual, i.e. buoyancy aid, pump, paddle float and mobile phone, and not least: a good dose of common sense.

Happy paddling!