what to wear?

[kook]

looking at wet suits for some white water this season, but have no idea what i need to wear?

Living in calgary alberta has some chilly rivers

thanks in advance for advice

[Badfish]

Calgary....you will have some fun river waves set to open this spring at the Calgary Weir.  I'll be up there at some point...

I am a big fan of my dry-suit for cold water paddling.  I wear the NRS E-vent and love it.  There are a bunch of other options.  When it is cold there is no wetsuit that compares to the comfort of a dry-suit.

But as it warms up for you later in the summer that will be overkill.  A 4/3 wetsuit is good here in Colorado almost all the time.  My warm weather option is a NRS Little John wetsuit http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2217&pdeptid=1162 under surf trunks and a synthetic t-shirt when the air and water warms.

Otherwise, helmet, PFD and footwear are a must.  I am really stoked on the new Teva water shoe.  It is like a skate shoe for water sports: http://www.coloradokayak.com/Teva-Gnarkosi-Mens?sc=26&category=18151

Some folks wear knee/shin pads too.  Have fun!

[kook]

Thanks bad fish, im out on the prowl now to start "suiting up"

[Allan Cheateaux]

I guess it all depends on how often you swim.

If it's mellow, you wont be in the water as much as when it hairy. I swim a lot and the following works for me here in CO.

3/2 short sleeve long bottom wettie, 5mm socks and skate shoes. They protect your feet a lot better (for me anyways) on some of the boney ass rivers here in CO. I think I rocked my 4/3 twice last year. I like a little more cushion that neoprene provides over dry suits. You get a little colder, but just paddle harder and you'll be fine. Sunshine makes alllll the difference.

Knee to ankle shin pads are also really nice. Screw the velcro attachments and duct tape em on at the put in.

[Allan Cheateaux]

Otherwise, helmet, PFD and footwear are a must.  I am really stoked on the new Teva water shoe.  It is like a skate shoe for water sports: http://www.coloradokayak.com/Teva-Gnarkosi-Mens?sc=26&category=18151

And I will be getting a pair of these at some point in time this season. My old wake skate shoes drain like crap.

[kook]

Thanks again guys... are you riding with a leash and if so what size? also have you had any luck with the vibram 5 finger shoes for paddling?

[Badfish]

Thanks again guys... are you riding with a leash and if so what size? also have you had any luck with the vibram 5 finger shoes for paddling?

I made a promise to myself that I would step in front of moving traffic before ever putting those ridiculous things on my feet...no offense though, I am sure they look good on you....

I don't use a leash that often downriver paddling.  I use a 6' or 7' leash when river surfing.  If I wear one for downriver paddling I attach it to a quick release on my PFD. 

[kook]

Have not tried them on yet... they are the bastard step child of regular shoes so im still on the fence. I do like the quick release idea, but i have an impact vest at the moment? bad idea? should i switch it up to a pfd?

[Allan Cheateaux]

Get a CG rated WW vest and make it one with a quick release. The rio is a whole other ball of wax. When I use a leash, its a 10' coil.