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May 2012 Equipment Day Saturday, May 12th is Equipment Day. If you’re thinking of buying a new kayak make sure you attend. Vendors will be at Berthelot Park in Blind River from 10-4 pm again this year with great deals on canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and lots of accessories. There will also be clinics throughout the day. We’re hoping for much better weather this year, but since we’re now in the building adjacent to the parking lot, we can always have an “open house”! Mark this day on your calendars and plan on joining us for a great day, followed by dinner at the Lucky Garden. Let’s get out there and support the vendors who go the extra distance for us! Work Bee If you’re available to give our Equipment Director, Gary Smith help with simple repair tasks, he’d love to hear from you. If you have a few hours to donate any day, call him at 705.356.6392 or email mycsmith@hotmail.com. Your help, however skilled or unskilled would be appreciated. The Kids Into Canoeing and Kayaking (KICK) Camp is intended for youth 9-17. This year it runs as follows: Week 1: July 9- 13 – Beginner Camp – for campers who haven’t participated before or have little experience Week 2: July 16- 20 - Intermediate Camp – for campers who have participated, but do not have certification Week 3: July 23- 27 - Senior Camp – for campers who have taken certification and are more capable paddlers Certification will again be offered in all camps, and it is possible for a camper to progress from one week to the next. A paddling camp certificate will be offered in Week 1, ORCKA Flatwater Kayaking A certification will be offered in Week 2, and ORCKA Flatwater Kayaking B certification will be offered in Week 3. The cost per week will be $125 + $25 for each certification or overnight. Early registration will be available at Equipment Day. There is a lot of interest in this now so register early! Youth Trips We’re planning an overnight trip for Saturday June 16th and Sunday June 17th. These outings are intended for people who are in Senior Elementary Grades or in Secondary School, and who are good paddlers or interested paddlers. The trips are in addition to the efforts we’re making to attract youth through the KICK Camp. Any youth are still welcome on regular Club trips, but these trips just give the youth an opportunity to paddle with people their own age. If your child or grandchild might benefit from these, contact our Youth Director, Kathy Ellis at 705-356-1266. Executive Positions Interested in being either Website Director or Program Director? Contact Wally at wvandyke@sympatico.ca! We really need help with a new website, and are hoping to get that up and running. There are a couple speaker possibilities already for next year, so the Program Director’s position shouldn’t be super demanding. Executive meetings are once a month, with the exception of December (no meeting) and in the summer, we usually try to meet less often, usually meaning that we can miss June and August meetings. Memberships There are several ways to pick up your 2012 membership: download the form off our “soon to be upgraded website” at http://sites.google.com/site/paddlersalgoma and send the form to Algoma Paddlers P.O. Box 248, Blind River, ON POR 1BO; buy them at Timber Village Museum in Blind River; or pick them up at our Equipment Day May 12th at Berthelot Park in Blind River. The 2012 Membership Fee is only $25 for adults, $15 for students and $5 for children... great value for your money – especially considering you also then have access to Club equipment on Club outings, and reduced course rates! President’s Corner Past Outings (Yup, we’ve already been out!) On Sunday, we had our first youth day-trip. Besides a great time paddling, we also provided resource materials for an area museum that was recording information on gravesites. We located the gravesites on the old Sayer farm, recorded their engravings, and their positions. In talking to the youth afterward, two of them said “making history” by recording the gravesites was the highlight. For another it was the moving water section where we did some eddy turns and front ferries. I expected the moving water would interest them, but had no idea how they would really get into recording the gravesite information. Kids are always full of surprises. And they keep us young. We had some good exposure for the Club at the Trappers Reunion. Thanks to: Josephine, Kathy (and Mark), Natalie and Gary, Carey, Hannah, Sue, and Esther, for your help in the booth and/or supporting roles. If you didn’t get there, it’s an interesting event. We had a couple boats and lots of information in the booth (seakayaks on end are pretty high!) and the trailer with the Montreal Canoe and kayaks parked outside. People even from SSM know about the Algoma Paddlers! Upcoming Events (Lots to look forward to!) As seen in the events schedule, we have a full slate of courses lined up for the summer, and we’re hoping to get more trip leaders certified. To lead a day trip, a person needs to have Coastal Kayaking Level 2 and be 16 years old. (The age criterion is too bad, because we’ll probably have a 13 year-old Level 2 this summer!) At least a couple members intend to certify as trip leaders this year so that will be great. Please consider these courses – they’re great for building skills and confidence, but they also help you get so much more out of the sport. For Kayaking, it’s best to start with Flatwater Kayaking, and then possibly work towards Coastal Kayaking and Kayak Tripping. For Canoeing, it might be best to start with Basic Canoeing, and then move to Canoe Tripping. We’re also holding the very first Voyageur Canoe Courses in Ontario – right here in li’l ole Blind River. How cool is that! Even the Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association know who the Algoma Paddlers are. Participants from the 1812 Event in Sault Ste Marie, as well as ORCKA members from Windsor and Kingston will be coming. It’s about time we started getting them up here for a change. I’m tired of driving 16 hours to do a recert course in Southern Ontario when I just want to paddle here! Besides the possibilities in courses, there are lots of trips to look forward to, and Equipment Day May 12! Don’t do the “wish I would’ve” thing in the fall. Everybody has to make the same go/no-go decision. We all enjoy it when we go, but some of us are just a little more driven to get out there. Remember Lennon’s, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans”.
And don’t let a little cloud in the sky or drops of rain keep you away. Fair Weather Paddlers: You can stay dry and comfortable any day! The “Feature Article” is on Raingear, and the May/June Details follow. Also note that the actual full year’s schedule is a separate attachment, but doesn’t include the trip details.
Keep having those great paddling days! W
Upcoming Events: Note that a revised 2012 Event List is attached. Here are the May/June details.
Staying Dry in Wet Conditions – Not Impossible! The Straight Goods on Waterproof, Breathable Rain Gear By W. Van Dyke Last November I did an article on Paddling Clothing for the shoulder season. Yup, we just had 4 months of shoulder season, and now we’re ready for the 8 months of the real season! Just remember that you can’t only dress for the air temperature - you have to be outfitted for the water temperature, too. If you’re properly outfitted (lightly outfitted for shoulder season paddling), you can survive even if you dump. Preventing dumps is another article, but staying dry in splashes or a downpour is what we’ll address here. I recently finished another recertification course. As an instructor, every 3 years, I need to demonstrate that I still know how to paddle. A few years back, I was astounded at the “advice” given by the individual running the recert, with respect to raingear. His advice: “Don’t bother investing much in it – you’re going to get wet anyway”. He recommended a cheap water resistant (not waterproof) nylon suit and flip-flops! Yeah, try that on Superior in cold wind, and see how long it takes for hypothermia to set in! One of the benefits of getting outfitted for cold-weather paddling is that it really separates the clothing that works from the crap that doesn’t. In the November article, I mentioned that I’ve had some bad experiences with Gore-Tex in the past, but after getting my one piece Kokotat Expedition dry suit, made of Gore-Tex XCR, I’ve finally found a product that keeps you totally dry (even when swimming), and one that has amazing breathability as well. Another great part about kayaking in this suit is that you really don’t care whether it rains or not while you paddle. You’re totally comfortable and dry in either case. And unless you’re talking substantially more than room temperature, you don’t sweat “like a criminal in court”. But nobody wants to walk around in a one-piece dry suit all summer. So here are some other raingear options. A Plastic Poncho This is a cheap, short-term solution that I wouldn’t be my first choice for kayaking but for canoeing, it’s better than nothing. It’s probably even better than the cheap water resistant nylon suit the recert guy wore, and, also better than cutting head and arm holes in a garbage bag (another solution I’ve heard touted and seen practiced). If you wear a poncho when canoeing, and there’s no wind, you might stay dry above the waist, but that’s about it. If there’s any wind...good luck. I can’t even imagine a poncho in a kayak. Enough said. More Cheap Plastic Stuff We’ve all seen the cheap, clear, plastic raingear. Don’t go there and don’t be fooled by coloured stuff either. If it’s light plastic you’ll sweat in it and it rips. If you’re a paddler, you deserve more than that stuff can offer. Waterproof, Vented, and Non-Breathable A number of companies have advocated a venting option. Helly Hansen is a believer. The venting can be via panels (better for rain) and/or armpit zippers. (“PitZips are better for condensation issues than for rain.) Looser fitting jackets and pants need less ventilation but work better for standing tasks than kneeling or paddling tasks. In the waterproof and non-breathable fabrics there are essentially 2 options: heavy and light-weight. There is something to be said for a heavy, waterproof, non-breathable, option – particularly if you’re on a road crew standing around holding up a stop sign on a cold, wet day. In fact, there probably is no better rain gear for that. Most use heavy duty cotton with a PVC coating. That combination can weigh up to 18oz /yard, is resistant to oils, totally waterproof, and can be made to stay flexible in the cold. But we’re paddlers, and paddlers don’t usually stand around. (Unless it’s first thing in the morning on an overnight trip, and we’re waiting in line for Natalie Smith to frantically brew that first cup of java!) You’ll see that gear on offshore fishing vessels, too. This stuff works when you’re not kneeling in a canoe or trying to get into a kayak. Light-weight fabrics are intended to be less restrictive for movement. They often use urethane-type coatings that are waterproof and non-breathable to get their waterproof properties. Coatings can fail with time and use, and once the waterproof properties are lost, they aren’t worthwhile. Most of these garments aren’t really up to the task either. Waterproof, Stretchy, Somewhat Breathable, and Durable My first experience with this was a Peter Storm garment that was not heavy in weight, had some stretch, and was breathable because of the way the garment was made, rather than relying on pores in the material. I think the true Peter Storm garment might still be superior to most things, but I haven’t used it for years. For a long time, Mark’s Work Wearhouse carried a cheaper substitute that had similar properties. I slugged a chainsaw through the bush in it, paddled in it, and worked on construction sites with it. It took all the branch pokes, petroleum leaks, and other abuses I threw at it, and lasted for years. I wouldn’t recommend it for kayaking, but I would for canoeing. The product they now carry is not as good and I think we’ve parted ways. The snap closures aren’t as good as the zippers, and the product doesn’t seem to wear as well. I might be an old-timer sometimes but I really do long for the good old days. I’m sure I’ve walked to school uphill in my father’s pajamas and have occasionally been caught saying “back in the day”...but back then... Mark’s really did do it better! Waterproof and Breathable Materials OK, there’s a lot of info about this one, so I better define a few things first: Definition of Water Resistance (and the resistance required to be waterproof): Water proof can be water resistant. Sometimes water can be forced through “waterproof” fabric. One specific definition of "waterproof" requires the fabric to withstand 1,000 millimetres of water (9.8 kPa) pressure without leaking. My understanding is that the UK definition uses 3000mm. I don’t know if that’s because Brits are bigger sissies or because they’re more demanding. I’ll let you decide for yourself. I do know that they test these garments at Leeds University and they use up to 5 times the force of “British Heavy Rain”. (And don’t get back to me definitively on which country’s rain is heavier, because this article isn’t about that!) There are in fact fabrics with various ratings and the low amounts average around 1000 - 3000mm of hydrostatic pressure. That means the fabric will be waterproof when dealing with water at a height of 1-3 metres. I’ve seen garments that are scored as high as 20,000 mm (20m) of hydrostatic pressure. All I know is that my dry suit is apparently rated at 10,000 mm, and it keeps me dry when swimming - which I calculate (without any millimeters of anything), should be at least as hard as staying dry in any rain I’ve seen. Definition of Breathability (and breathability ratings): Waterproof/breathable fabrics resist liquid water passing through, but allow water vapour to pass through. This means that perspiration vapour can be moved away from the body more effectively. This is often measured in the grams of water vapour per square metre of fabric over a 24 hour time period. Mid-range fabrics tend to have values of 5,000 g/m2/24hrs of breathability; the best materials have 20,000. Since these are lab tests, one might assume that the results would speak for themselves. However, there are some other factors. The tests are largely done by the manufacturers, and different testing methods are used. Some types of materials do better in one test than in another type of test, so the manufacturers naturally pick the type of test that works best for them. Again, back to my dry suit (sorry, but it’s my best reference), it’s rated at 10,000 g/m2, but I actually find it better than my Marmot MemBrain Strata jacket – which is rated at 20,000 g/m2. (I do occasionally sweat in it, although truthfully, when I was in court, it was in the Marmot Jacket, and not the Kokatat dry suit!) Note on the Construction, Seam Sealing, and Zippers: Even if you get a great material - if there are an excess number of seams, if the seams are not sealed properly or if the zippers aren’t waterproof - the garment might still leak. If you have a cloth material bonded to it, the cloth can get wet and cause problems. Beware of all of these compromises. The best solution here is to look carefully at the construction and don’t accept cheap knock-offs. Another Factor - Condensation: If the air outside is cold and you have thermal bridging, condensation can still occur. PitZips and opening the jacket can help, but you can’t do that in a driving rain. The trick here is to use adequate layers with air space in between to reduce the chance of warm air getting to the outside shell and condensing. Also tied to that, is ensuring that the jacket is breathable enough to let the moisture escape rather than collect on the inside of the shell. And to finish it off, make sure that activity suits the layers – by layering.
Raingear Recommendations: For Canoeing: If you can afford to pay the super bucks, and get the best material, it’s possibly now Gore’s new Expanded PTFE Membrane. Gore has really written the book on waterproof/breathable, beginning with the first Gore-Tex that got less waterproof as it took on dirt. They’ve come a long way, and although other advanced products like Event laminate and Schoeller Dryskin Extreme come close, Gore’s still on top. You might be paying more than $500 for these fabrics in just a jacket, and too close to that for pants. But they do work. I can’t afford the big bucks, so I settled for a $180 Marmot Aegis jacket that uses the Membrain Strata fabric. It’s now my go-to jacket. I like it because it’s waterproof, pretty breathable, wears great casually, packs up into nothing, and has a great hood tucked into the collar. This jacket is close to Gore-Tex XCR for waterproof/breathability, but a third of the price. With a Pac-Lite Gore-Tex pant, the two garments function together as a great rain suit for around camp, it works well for paddling in the canoe, and packs up about as small as a warm sock! For Kayaking: While around camp and off the water, kayaking can be similar to canoeing. But we often don’t bother changing out of our paddling top and bottom right away. You might be able to get away with just that paddling top and bottom on a trip, but because my raingear packs down so small, I’ll still take it with me for around camp or for the rainy, windbound days. When paddling in rain, wind and waves, you’ll still want a paddling suit. Because I really like my dry suit, that’s all I’d take in the shoulder season, and often well into the spring and fall. An alternative is a dry top – which would also keep me dry in rain or even if I rolled. (But not if I dumped!) For paddling in rainy and warmer water conditions, a good-quality, breathable, “semi-dry” paddling jacket can work well. Semi-dry tops are often made of waterproof/breathable fabric, but often have wrapped, neoprene arm and neck gaskets instead of water-tight latex gaskets. I have a Level Six jacket that’s made of waterproof, breathable fabric (I don’t find it as breathable as the Marmot, and certainly no comparison to the Kokotat Gore-Tex Drysuit), with the neoprene, wrapped gaskets. It’s one solution for paddlers who don’t go to extremes. The issue, I find with this, is that I like to brace and lean a lot. Wrapped, neoprene gaskets are probably more comfortable than latex, but not nearly as waterproof, meaning water runs up my shirt sleeve when I’m doing low or high braces. I find that more annoying than a slim band of latex. Latex sleeve gaskets on a good waterproof/breathable top would help keep the arms dry. The neck, however doesn’t usually get submerged (unless you roll), so I think the best combination for warmer weather paddling in wet conditions (with no rolling) is a great waterproof and breathable fabric, latex gaskets on the sleeves, and neoprene wrapping at the neck, with an option to open it right up for ventilation, and close it down under a hood for rain. Kokatat makes a great TecTour Paddling jacket with those features that I’m considering. When kayaking, with a good semi-dry top and a spray skirt on, you really don’t care if it’s raining or not – or even if it’s warm or cold. (Do I need to repeat that to convince all of you “fair weather paddlers”?) Après Kayaking – get a light rain suit that works. Other Information: That just about sums it up for materials. Staying dry, though, besides having the right stuff, is a learned trait. I often lead trips where people leave shoes outside because they don’t want to stink up the tent - and wake up in the morning to – soaking shoes, what else? Others leave stuff drying on the line at night, and the dew more than offsets the drying that happened earlier –even without any rain. Or they don’t want to put on a wet pair of shoes, are careless with their last dry pair of shoes, and now they have to put on wet shoes no matter what. I could go on, but you’ll learn. Even without my admonition. Maybe you already have learned the hard way too. And summer is easy. I think stuff got wet when I left it out winter camping, but it snowed - so I lost it… But most importantly, find something that works for you, and get out there – rain or shine!
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