It's September, its pretty stormy at the moment and has been for a few days. Those new to the sport are probably wondering whether anyone is wild enough to paddle in the cold weather and those who have been paddling for years are either rejoicing (as its their season to paddle) or ready to hibernate (not a fan of the cold!).
Honestly, winter every year is a bit of a shock to the system for me and I always worry about how I'll get through it. I'm writing this blog post mainly to remind myself that I can make it through and hopefully anyone else reading will find something that helps them too.
The people who rejoice winter paddling are likely white water kayakers: you'll probably be busy running rivers over the season so feel free to look away now... :-)
The people who are not happy in the cold: I won't try and convince you to paddle in the cold because coaches support their athletes. I will, however, suggest you undertake some non-paddlesport activity to support your paddling.
Think about building strength in key areas: there are some awesome personal trainers out there who can help you get strong for next season.
Do you need to build stamina? If you're petite like me and often at the back of the group you could benefit from some cardio activities to help. I started running to help my paddling and it has made a difference. I'm not doing any big distances but it helps to get out consistently.
If you can cope with cold water dipping, give it a go this winter. There are lots of local groups you can go with and it is hugely beneficial for mind and body.
If you can afford it: why not try a warm paddling destination this winter? The Canary islands and Malta are lovely if you like or would like to try sea kayaking.
Consider doing some free e-Learning available from British Canoeing.
The people who are happy to try paddling over winter: It's cold and dark with challenging weather, but with the right plan you'll be alright.
The right clothing will keep you happier on the water. It can be thermal leggings + tops and a waterproof if the chances of going in are lowered (canoe, kayak). or a thicker wetsuit (paddleboarding). If you have the budget, I've got a few kit review videos for winter paddling kit.
Prioritise sunrise paddles as much as possible. Watching the sun come up is a huge mood booster, especially on the coastline where you can see the horizon.
Focus on quality, versus quantity. A day long paddle over the weekend is likely to make you feel better than a two hour paddle after work in the dark.
Carry a bobble hat, warm gloves, hot drink and hot water bottle for the extra cold days. These will help you stay warm before and after your paddle.
Try surfing if you have a good wetsuit and cold water tolerance. Guaranteed smiles regardless of whether you're good at catching waves.
