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Intro to Cold Water Kayaking 2008
April 5, 9 am to 1 pm, fee $90 (Quickstart level)
May 17, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm, fee $137 (Coastal level 3)
May 23, 1-5 pm, fee $90 (Quickstart level)
October 11, 9 am to 1 pm, fee $90 (all levels)
By appointment any time

"Cold water" is sea water below 60 degrees. Long Island Sound waters are cold to frigid from the end of October through the end of May. During this time, we find crystal clear water, undisturbed by power boat noise and wakes, and seasonal wildlife changes that delight, such as harbor seals and winter ducks. If you're a dedicated kayaker or kayak fisherman, or just want to do something very few others do, this workshop will help you learn what type of boat, gear, skills and physical stamina you need to kayak through the fall, winter and spring [in a prudent way].

At Kayak Adventure, we've led groups of paddlers through cold water conditions since our founding in 2000. Eight winters of regular kayaking on Long Island Sound means experience with a wide range of conditions, and a broad sample of paddlers. One of our key findings is that individual response to cold water varies widely. You've heard about "polar bear" swimmers, but don't forget, they walk into cold water from shore. A sudden capsize into deep, cold water bears no resemblance.

In this small-group class, we'll begin indoors. You'll complete and discuss a personalized risk assessment which includes your physical & medical condition, life experience on or in the water, the design characteristics of your kayak, and the proficiency of your rescue skills. At this point, you decide whether to continue to the next step: putting on appropriate cold water gear for a practice session on water. (If you opt not to continue, your fee will be only $20.) Our cold water rental gear includes hydroskin garments, wetsuits, dry pants, dry tops, neoprene hoods, fleece neck warmers, thick neoprene gloves or mittens, Gore-tex Pogies, and 5 to 6.5 mm neoprene booties or waterproof mukluks. We ask you to bring base layer shirts, undies and synthetic socks.

You'll use either your own kayak, or rent one of ours. We head for the shore halfway through the class. After unloading gear & boats, we'll gather round to conduct the Kayak Adventure pre-launch check to be sure everyone is ready. Next, we'll teach you how to paddle in close formation to be able to quickly help a buddy, or other group member, if needed. We'll demonstrate the fastest cold-water assisted rescue methods, including eskimo bow & side rescue, and t-rescue, and give you practice (if you wish). Our objective is to get the paddler back into an almost dry boat in under two minutes (not realistic unless you practice). We'll end the session with demonstration and optional practice of wet exit and re-entry close to shore. If you wish to participate in Kayak Adventure trips over the winter, wet exit practice is required. We do this with our instructor and a trusted buddy standing on either side of your kayak in waist deep water. With water temperature still in the sixties, October is an optimal time to prepare for cold water kayaking. We offer private sessions any time.

Photo: Pre-launch check, November . L to R: Steve, Michele (KA instructor), Ed, Steve and Claire.

Comment on kayak types: We consider recreational kayaks inappropriate for cold water use, no matter how close to shore you paddle. Sit-inside [sea] kayaks put most paddlers head-first into the sea upon capsize, greatly increasing risk for aspirating water, so they should only be used by calm, healthy, practiced paddlers. Our first choice for most kayakers from November through May is the Heritage SeaDart sit-on-top (either 14' or 17'), which we provide free of charge for this class. The SeaDart is higher than most SOTs, and has a single bail hole with a rubber stopper. We also like the WS Tarpon 160. Although you still get paddle drip and occasional sea spray, with proper wind and waterproof dress, paddling in an SOT is not much different than snowboarding - both are wet and windy! See "About Our Kayaks" for photos and specs.

I feel our rigorous approach to personal risk assessment, to careful outfitting, and adherence to pre-launch protocol are take-aways that you could read about, but will learn much better through doing. For testimonials, see "Meet Your Kayak Instructor."

Please contact us to reserve a place in this class.



The Kandels launch with Kayak Adventure at Calf Pasture beach on a frigid January day.



This photo of Ed Hansen, a Sound Kayaker club member from Fairfield, was featured in the Westport Minuteman article, "Icy Joys of Winter Kayaking".

Sound Kayakers Claire Dickerson of Rye, Howard Pierce of Westport, Ed Hansen of Fairfield, Grace Pisano of Norwalk, Nick Clarke of Westport, and Rich Keith of Norwalk, joined club leader Michele Sorensen on our fourth annual New Year's Day paddle - January 2007.