Coldest Day of the Year... and windy

[supthecreek]

So... I went paddling.
Because I enjoy the hell out of it.
I take pictures of everything that looks cool neat...
and post them to keep the winter stoke going

If you paddle all winter... ignore the following pep talk... you already know

Winter paddling is NOT cold.
The high today was 16 degrees... wind was 15 to 32 mph... I hid from it.
I was out for 1 hour - toasty warm
True... I'm not a skinny kid... but I'm old and my blood is barely flowing

All I wore was:
a cheapie 3/2 wetsuit
zippered 5 mil booties
Thinsulate ski gloves
a nice head/face mask for the wind- multi tasks... see pics
a hat for the visor

When I was at "Freezin' for a Reason".... talk in the staging area went like this:
"if it's too cold... I'm coming back in"
Folks were all wrapped up to "endure" a winter paddle....
soon after the start, they were all stripping down....
tying jackets around their waist
Taking off hats, scarfs etc... sweating.

Why? Because you warm right up as soon as you start paddling

Cold is the expectation.... the reality is.... your wetsuit works.... you are comfortable.

Try it... you'll like it
Chime in here if you paddle all winter in the cold zone.... or want to.
If all your fresh water paddle spots turned to ice... bummer... think spring!

I feel like I post here too much... help me out... make some noise...
post stuff so I won't feel like a piggy.... 

geeze... it's so hard to hit the "post" button when I know that 4 of the last 5 post are mine...
screw it... here goes...

[SlatchJim]

There are mortal men, and there are Vikings.

You sir are a Viking.

Great post.

[NoSaltSuper]

Great posts Creek, keep em coming! You're inspiring and entertaining others so, don't worry about over-posting, you're not.

I'm hoping to get out this weekend and paddle Lake Michigan, or at least an unfrozen harbor. All the smaller lakes are frozen over.

Yesterday was also one of our coldest and while I didn't get out and paddle, I did go for a 3 mile run! Oh, it was 5.6 degrees when I left the house.

Looking like a bank robber:

[hbsteve]

I enjoy your posts.  Don't quit posting.

[raf]

It was wicked cold in Maine today.  5F.  I've been out before in this kind of cold, but wouldn't do it without sun.  Sun will warm you right up in a wetsuit.  Single digits on a cloudy day is no bueno.

Hardest part to keep warm are the toes and fingers for me.  I wear 7mil full mitts all winter.  Toes get cold flatwater paddling much faster than surfing, because you don't move your feet as much. 

Ironically, the smaller the board is, the warmer you will be.  Big easy board = minimal effort = cold.  Small, skinny, hard to balance on board = constant movement = warmer (even with the occasional dunking!)

paddle hahhd!

[lucabrasi]

If all your fresh water paddle spots turned to ice... bummer... think spring!

Today I can set the over/under on open water at 100 days and I would take the over. Bahhh......
Keep posting, please.
Yes, as SlatchJim said.....You sir are a Viking.

[supthecreek]

Slatch... that's the thing... it isn't what you think... not near as cold as surfing.

Nosalt.... that's the problem... no salt!
and be careful running on ice... quick way to lose a knee.

hb  thanks... no fear of that... I'm incorrigible.

raf... yeah... the sun is nice... you instantly feel it's presence... or lack of.
Lots of cloud covered days during winter up our way eh?

Take a camera on your paddles - help me out here!
Maine is frickin' beautiful in winter... some of those waterways between you and Bath look like killer flatwater!

lucabrasi ----I was thinking of you when I added the  fresh water lament

Toes... not a problem with me on paddles less than 2 hours... but fingers when into the wind... can get cold. I just stop.... tuck my fingers into my gloves for a minute.

5F is a good day to stay in

[suprbowl]

Hard core and inspirational!!

[stoneaxe]

Very jealous...I love days like this on the water. Kind of a pain when the skim coat of ice gets on everything but worth it. Your pictures really do capture the cold. When I tell people I sometimes have to jump in and let some water in to cool off they think I'm nuts. One of the times when it pays to be big....surface area to mass ratio is in our favor...  .
I had my neighbor come over one day after a big snow storm a number of years ago. We were both out shoveling. He came over all bundled up, layered, gloves hat, boots, etc.. He came over because he said it looked like I was on fire. I was shoveling in shorts and a t-shirt and clouds of steam were coming off of me...

[supthecreek]

like this?

[Chilly]

Holy cow!  Saltwater freezing on the board made me cringe.
Creek. I think you and Stoneaxe are crazy  
Nice pics!

[stoneaxe]

LOL...exactly....funny I just went looking for my Sasquatch picture from years ago to post on that thread. I forgot what a cold miserable day that was....no sun that's for sure... tail end of a nor'easter......I had a friggin blast!
A post from my old blog.
http://newenglandsup.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/worked-for-the-workout-part-deux/

[tribalthunder]

Creek, You are an inspiration. Last week I SUS'ed Coastguard in 50 degrees and thought I was battling old man winter, but I've never considered hitting the water in these temps. I may have to try it out now. I've lived on the Cape for 11 years and never been to Pleasant Bay, it looks cool and is on my list. Keep posting!

[gorgebob]

When I saw the headline I thought it was going to be a wimpy cold. But hell no, your cold is the real cold. I thought I was pushing it at 38.

[supthecreek]

Hey tribal 

I started paddling the waterways of the Cape when I tried to remove my hamstring at CGB.
I was going nuts not SUSing... I needed someway to maintain during my "Flat"spell.

I found dinking around the rivers & "creeks" to be quite entertaining.... the more I did it... the more I liked it... it does more than fill the void.... it creates a new passion.

The Cape, like many places, is amazing when you leave the beaten path. The nature & vista's become the focus... not the backdrop.

Mid Winter paddling is uniquely different than any other time of year.

In a large area like Pleasant Bay, it removes the human element from the equation... it reverts to nature only.
 
The sounds on a still day are incredible.... winter blocks civilization noise, no traffic, no weed wackers, no interference.

You hear the resting flocks of geese, ducks, shore birds all cooing and clucking... no loud screeching... very satisfied and relaxed sounds. Amazing.

The colors are muted hues or brilliant and crisp.

Getting out of the house and onto the water adds an incredible value to winter.

And I can not stress enough... on calm days... or in sheltered zones.... you do NOT get cold.

As soon as you glide.... you get a satisfied warm peace... unlike any other time of year.

Early morning and late afternoon are best bets for calm conditions.

I'll PM you... lets paddle.