One of the things about paddling is that you should not be afraid to be in the water, no matter the temperature, even if it is 34 degrees. That is why you wear a drysuit, to keep warm in water that cold. The photo above is my testing out a new drysuit, an Immersion Research Double “D” (click here).
What’s it like in water that cold? Provided you have worn enough layers under the suit, it is like stepping into a freezer – you notice the cold but it takes time to get chilled. Far different than a wetsuit, where you immediately feel the cold water against the skin and you do feel chilled as your body’s heat warms it.
For the amount of paddling and instruction I do in very cold water, I need a drysuit. In may at our instructor workshop in Big Bay, I will be in the water for around 90 minutes being the swimmer on rescues or demonstrating self rescues. Before I needed a drysuit, I used a drytop and a wetsuit which works well.
—-
About the IR drysuit, it is a good one. The arms are articulated so there is little interference for the forward stroke. It has a streamlined fit on the upper body and fits more like a lightweight paddling top than a drysuit. It has the features you need – a relief zip and a neoprene cuff at the waist so it stays up even when not being worn on the upper body. (Useful when packing up the boat prior to launch or looking stylish buying groceries at the co-op after the paddle.)
One of the things I was unsure about was the rear entry zipper. After using it 6+ times now, I see the advantages. Primarily it comes from putting it on and taking it off – no more wrestling match type struggles – it makes that part easy. First time I used wore it, I immediately noticed the zipper, it rubs up against the back of your arm if you pull your arm at shoulder height backwards. Good news is that one doesn’t notice it when paddling after all that is approaching an unsafe arm position (ie shoulder dislocation) and should be avoided anyway. Only drawback is in zipping/unzipping it, it does take some yogi like dexterity I have not needed before but it is possible.
The only drawback I see is the size of the pants on it, they are baggy. Baggy in a drysuit means more air inside the suit to purge out. In this case in means a walk into the water after putting it on or using the relief zip to push the air out. My previous drysuit I could do the same just by crouching.
Overall the suit is a good one and I excited to have it. It was good to see IR expand their line of paddling gear to include drysuits just as my old drysuit was wearing out.
sam