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Dress for Kayaking in British Columbia
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How
to dress for the weather on your sea kayaking trip with Spirit
of the West Adventures in British Columbia. |
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Kayaking
on a hot sunny day
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When kayaking on a hot sunny day, it is appropriate to wear quick
dry shorts and a t-shirt. A swim suit could be worn underneath,
as on some of our tours you can enjoy a dip in the ocean or one
of the lakes. Sturdy sandals are the footwear of choice when the
temperatures rise. Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are a must.
This is a common look on our Discovery
Islands tour, and our Desolation
Sound Tour where the weather is often hot and dry.
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Kayaking
on a cooler or overcast day |
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When kayaking on a cooler day where there is little chance of
rain or wind, just throw on the next layer. A mid weight synthetic
top , such as polypropylene, Lycra or polyester, over your long
underwear and quick dry breathable pants works well. Please avoid
cotton as it takes forever to dry and offers little insulation.
You may also want to pull out the wool / fleece hat and light
weight gloves on the shoulder season trips.
The rubber boots Tracy is wearing allow her to wear socks and
keep her feet dry. Neoprene booties with a sturdy sole are also
a good choice. If you do not have suitable boots, we have a stock
of rubber boots for your use.
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Kayaking
when there is a chance of showers or wind |
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This is the time to pull out the waterproof wind breaker. If
you do not have a paddling jacket, a light or midweight breathable
jacket over the appropriate under layer, will keep out the wind
and sprinkles of rain.
Generally your legs will be warm and dry inside the kayaks, so
rain gear is not necessary, unless we have a real downpour
With a cool wind, the wool or fleece hat will help to keep you
warm.
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Kayaking
in the rain |
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As much as we don't like to admit, it can rain here sometimes
in the summer. The sound of raindrops pattering on the waters
surface can be very soothing, and as long as you dress for it,
the rain can be a refreshing change. A brimmed rain hat, water
proof jacket, light rain pants, and rubber boots will do the trick.
Its a good idea to bring along a few sets of under layers so
you have a dry set to change into if necessary.
If you are uncertain of the waterproofness of your rain gear,
you can always try it out in the shower.
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What do you wear underneath it all? |
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When you want to stay comfy and dry, it is hard to beat synthetic
underwear. In outdoor stores you will most often find light, mid
and heavy weight styles. The idea is that the material will wick
away moisture and sweat from your skin, helping to ensuring a
dry ride. They also dry quick around the campfire.
I have a set made by Patagonia,
and although very expensive, they have now lasted 20 years of
heavy use.
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Looking
like a sea kayaker? |
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When it is all said and done, this is what you are going to look
like.
I bet you can't wait!
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Spirit of the West Adventures provides a detailed packing
list for each tour destination. You can also visit your local outdoor
store, or shop on the net, for good quality clothing.
To view the packing list for your trip, simply click
on the links below:
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