Open Forum: Wetsuit

Wetsuit

Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: The Class Room
Forum Name: Open Forum
Forum Discription: Discuss and Share your expertise on products or technique
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8024
Printed Date: 26 Sep 2025 at 7:17pm

Topic: Wetsuit

Posted By: kingfrank
Subject: Wetsuit
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2009 at 7:31am

Last year I started kayaking towards the end of the seaon, so it was warm. However this year I am looking into buying a wetsuit for spring kayaking. I was wondering what one to buy. I already have a dry top that keeps me warm, but whenever I needed to swim last year I got a little cold. Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: dragorossinw
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2009 at 8:02am

match your drytop with dry pants, layered with thermals. IMO wetsuites are restrictive. Check these out.

http://www.nookiekayaking.us/xtremedry/index.htm - http://www.nookiekayaking.us/xtremedry/index.htm

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Tony Z
dragorossinorthwest@yahoo.com
www.nookiekayaking.us
www.dragorossi.com
www.donkeyfIip.com

Posted By: dave
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2009 at 8:03am

Get any farmer john style of wetsuit. REI may have them, if not Auquasports in Redmond carries them for sure.

You don't want sleeves on your wetsuit or anything on top because you're dry jacket keeps you warm up there. Farmer johns seem like the best for paddling.

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Nomad

Posted By: kingfrank
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2009 at 9:18am

Thanks for they advice. Do the only come in one thickness?

Posted By: Jed Hawkes
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2009 at 5:11pm

it depends on what your looking for. A 3-5 mil. suit should be good for the water out here.

Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2009 at 5:54pm

Nothing is better for the 'ol learning curve than a brand new DRYSUIT! If you think you'll like the sport AT ALL, and you haven't gotten laid off yet in this sh*tty economy, spring for a Kokatat. Nothing is better for the avid Northwest Kayaker!!!!!

I finally got another one after years without one, and I can't believe how silly it was not to have on here. If you've just entered the sport and you already FEEL THE PASSION-- A drysuit is the way to go.

Because when you are just beginning, you should LOVINGLY EMBRACE the FACT that you will swim. A LOT. And to get proficient as a paddler in the northwest, dependeing on the other obligations in your life, you should plan on paddling AS MUCH AS YOU CAN (year 'round).

Otherwise, go for a farmer John, drytop and drypants!

Welcome to the sport! Learn how to Paddle, and don't imitate all of the colorfull pieces of plastic driftwood that clutter the river!

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🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋

Posted By: kingfrank
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2009 at 9:04pm

yeah can't really afford the drysuit just yet. As soon as I get the wetsuit off to paddling I go. You guys know any good begginer river class 2 and 3?

Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2009 at 11:02am

nisqually river is great down to about 950 on the guage. it is really easy but it's a perfect place to practice catching eddies and ferrying, it's only worth it if you live in the olympia area though.

Posted By: dblanchard
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2009 at 11:07am

If you live near Seattle, especially on the east side, you should check out the Powerhouse run below Snoqualmie Falls.

Posted By: Jimmy
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2009 at 11:24am

This is what I wear with a dry top and it works well. I don't do the hard core creeking so I'm not out of my boat scouting a lot, but I do get out and take breaks when there is snow on the ground. Also, I do swim some, but not a whole lot, but I never get super cold in the winter time even after a swim. Having said all that, I wish I could afford a drysuit, but with two kids it is not in my foreseeable future either.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2201&deptid=1162 - http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2201&deptid=1162

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