Until the water becomes solid there’s no such thing as bad weather for SUP – just the wrong clothing! But that clothing choice (among other choices) can be the difference between a fun paddle session or a fatality.
Here are 4 key SUP Safety tips to Stand Up Paddleboarding as the temperatures drop.
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SUP Safety Tip 1 – Always Dress for the Swim
Water is about 25x more efficient at conducting heat than water. That means you will become colder 25x faster in water than you would in the air. Hypothermia and associated physiological affects set in when your core body temperature drops to 95F (35C) – that’s not much colder than your typical 98F (37C), and it doesn’t take long in water that is even just relatively cold.
Falling off our board and being in the water is part of the sport of stand up paddleboarding, so we must always dress for the swim. This means dressing for the water temperature and not the air temperature.
Not only do we need to worry about long-term hypothermia from being in the water (even 70F water!) and wet, but we also need to be aware of cold shock.
Cold shock is an involuntary physiological response our bodies undergo when suddenly cooled – like falling into cold water. Cold Shock can happen in water as “warm” as 60F depending on other factors, but is most dangerous when water temperatures are closer to 50F or below and the air temps are warm – lulling us into thinking we don’t need to wear thermal protection.
Wear proper clothing for the water temperature to avoid the risk of hypothermia and/or cold shock. This means lighter neoprene layers when water temps are in the 60’s F (15C), thicker neoprene as temperatures drop, and eventually a full dry suit when water temperatures become even more dangerous below 40F (5C) or sooner. Dry suits do not insulate on their own, but they keep you from becoming wet and allow you to wear insulating layers inside the suit for additional warmth. They are the best option for paddling in very cold temperatures.
Never wear bulky clothing as insulation while on the water. Throwing on your favorite sherpa sweater may be cozy at home or at the campsite, but that extra thick material will soak up water making it difficult to swim, or even stay afloat, during a fall. It also will not insulate nearly as well as proper paddling clothing.
Remember, it is very easy to cool yourself down while paddling, but extremely difficult to warm back up.
SUP Safety Tip 2 – Always Wear an Inherently Buoyant PFD in Cold Water
While you should always wear a PFD no matter the weather conditions, it’s important to wear an inherently buoyant (foam) PFD in cold weather and water for two reasons.
First, a foam PFD will provide more insulation around your torso. This helps keep you warmer without necessarily needing an extra-thick wetsuit or additional layer under your dry suit.
Second, inherently buoyant PFDs provide instant flotation when you are in the water whereas inflatables must be activated and then properly attached before they provide flotation. This is critical in the event that you undergo a Cold Shock Response.
Cold shock response has many affects, but two critical ones happen right away. Involuntary gasping of air can lead to instantaneous drowning. If you gasp as your mouth is at or under the surface of the water, your lungs will fill with water, beginning the slow process of drowning and will reduce your overall buoyancy as your lungs are filled with water instead of air. Panic and loss of motor control can then set in near instantly preventing you from activating and properly donning your inflatable PFD.
Always wear your PFD, and always wear an inherently buoyant PFD when paddling in cold temperatures.
SUP Safety Tip 3 – Be Prepared and Never Paddle Alone
When things go south, having a reliable partner or crew can turn a potential disaster into a simple near-miss event.
When environmental factors – like water temperature – come into play, having a partner available to help can be a life-or-death difference. Of course if you or your partner(s) don’t know what to do in an emergency, they may not be able to help. Everyone should be able to assist with an in-water recovery and understand basic first aid. In addition, everyone should have easy access to a reliable communications device (phone or radio) and know who to call and how in case of an emergency.
At a bare minimum, if you feel you must go paddle alone you should leave a detailed float plan with a trusted person staying on land. This float plan should include where you are going, your destination, how long you will be on the water, a description of you and your board, and a plan to communicate when you are safely off the water. It should also include contact information for emergency services where you are paddling if you do not check in on time (rangers, sheriff, coast guard, etc). You should also carry a very robust emergency kit in a quality dry bag.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to call it a day if conditions worsen. Winter paddling is not the time to push your limits or learn new skills. Paddle within your skill level and enjoy your time on the water.
SUP Safety Tip 4 – Learn More About Cold Water Safety
Cold water and cold weather paddling can be immensely fun when you are prepared for the challenges they present. Learning about those challenges, testing equipment, and practicing are all key elements to recreating safely when conditions are less than ideal (and even when they are ideal).
The National Center for Cold Water Safety (ColdWaterSafety.org) is a wonderful resource of information about recreating responsibility in cold conditions. I highly recommend reading through their website and watching their videos.