This time of year in the northern hemisphere, especially here in Jämtland the water temperature starts to plummit. While many people take up their boats, kayaks and SUP´s for the coming winter, some of us, like to extend the season a little longer. Paddling in late autumn and early winter offers a unique experience for those willing to take on the cold. This time of year offers still, quiet days on the water with the amazing colours of yellow, red and brown surounding the lakes and rivers. Mornings can be foggy and silent offering a feeling a little like paddling through the clouds. There are not too many other water users on the water this time of the year, offering a break from the boat and jetski noise that can be heard over summer. As the season extends towards early winter the ice begins to form on the banks and beaches, and light snow falls, to offer another aspect to the beauty and experience.

While paddling in autumn and early winter offers a fantastic experience for the intrepid paddler, there are some considerations to be aware of. Paddling this time of year presents some real dangers to consider and to prepare for. The most obvious is the water temperature. The water starts to decend into the single digits and combined with the single digit and sometimes minus air tempreatures, this is a potentially dangerous combination. An immersion in these temperatures can lead to a quick onset of hypothermia, a life threatning condition caused when the core body temterature drops below 35 degrees celsius. Other potential Dangers are cold shock. Cold shock can happen when you are suddenly immersed in cold water, like falling of your board for example. Cold shock can cause an involuntary gasp, a sudden and powerfull gasp can cause you to inhale water, leading to drowning. Hyperventilation can result increasing panic as well as increased heart rate and blood pressure potentially leading to heart attack or stroke, even in healthy people. While these conditions present a real danger, there are ways to mitigate these dangers.

Dressing and preparing for paddling in cold water requires a little more forethought. First consideration should be the weather, a five minute look at the weather app or report can give you a good insight into what to expect and how to dress. The next consideration should be a PFD, a Personal Floatation Device should be mandatory when paddling in cold water. A PFD will help against the effects of cold shock if you fall off. This will prevent you from potentially taking in excessive water if you gasp, by keeping your upper body above the water. PFD´s offer good insulation from the cold as well while you are paddling. Clothing can be tricky, and this is where a lot of people are uncertain what to wear. While normal clothing can be sufficent while paddling, they can present a danger if you fall in and can lead to hypothermia if they become wet. If you decide to paddle in normal clothes, it is a good idea to take a change of clothes with you in a water tight dry bag. This will give you something to change into if you become wet. You may own a wetsuit, this can be ok as well and offer some protection from cold shock. Wetsuits can also be a little tricky when paddling. It can become quite warm and sweaty when paddling in a wetsuit. Generally thinner wetsuits are better suited for paddling, a 3/2 mm wetsuit is probably the best choice, anything thicker starts to get too warm when not immersed in the water. Wetsuits are designed to be worn in the water. The paddling action increases body temperature which increases the temperature in the wetsuit making it easy to overheat and become sweaty. Sweating is generally not a good thing when the air temperature gets down to the minus range. In these colder nordic conditions a drysuit is probably the best choice. the good thing with a drysuit is it offers protection from both air and water temperatues. normal clothes can be worn underneath, offering insulation as well. The drysuit acts like a water tight outer shell with a water tight neck cuff and water tight hand cuffs. The socks are built in and water tight, and, are usually latex or waterproof fabric. Normal shoes or booties can be worn over the socks. Yes drysuits are expensive, but a worthwhile investment if you want to continue your paddling adventures into the winter.

Other things to think about are maybe taking a warm drink out with you in a thermos and maybe some food. Always let someone know where you are going to paddle, and paddle with a buddy if you can. take some matches or a lighter in a waterproof container incase you or your buddy become wet and are far from the car or a warm building. A mobile phone in a water tight bag or container is essential for safety as well.

Don´t let the colder temperatures put you off from enjoying what paddling in the autumn and winter can offer! There is much magic and wonder to experience out on the water this time of year, and there is a different kind of peace and serenity that paddling in cold water can offer. Get out there and experience all of mother natures moods.

Check out the links below for drysuits and paddling specific clothes . Kajaktiv have a great range of drysuits from Hiko, while Vaikobi makes some of the best paddling specific clothes on the market. Vaikobi´s V Cold range is perfect for early Autumn paddling in the northern climates. Prolimit also have a great range of SUP specific clothing, from neoprene jackets to neoprene tights.

https://kajaktiv.se/kategori/paddling/klader/torrdrakt-kajak/

https://www.vaikobi.com/

https://www.prolimit.com/collections/sup-wear

A warm drink in a thermos is always a nice extra to warm you up.

Paddling through the ice cracks and channels in early spring.

Snow coverd trees and banks in early winter.

Exploring newly opened up rivers in early spring.