Topic: Champlain Sunday!

[Falls]

You will not regret the purchase of a dry-suit.  You can drink the Kokatat Kool-aid, as I've heard they're incredible, but I am completely satisfied with my Stohlquist that I bought on sale two years ago.  Wait for a good sale.

As far as what to wear underneath, I recommend commando.  "Feels like I'm wearing nothing at all..."

[ChristianG]

Hey... My comments were very general, not directed at anyone in particular. And Kurt, don't worry, I know you went to the pool because I saw you with my own eyes...

However, when sitting in the eddy, waiting to surf, you hear 'interesting' and not-so-positive comments sometimes, though not from club members as we typically encourage everyone to try surfing, and we keep an eye on all.

The bit about the whistle is important: someone recently swam much longer and further downstream because it took a while for others to notice he was in trouble. I assume he was too busy trying to swim to shore, but he could have blown his whistle to ask for help and the other guys would have come without hesitation.

And... This brings me to qualify what I wrote earlier: while dry-suits are not absolutely required (I surfed and swam the flood of Spring 2008 at Champlain, the big one--with dry-top and neoprene), no one who bought a dry-suit has regretted the decision. You pay for it, but what you get is peace of mind and a very good chance of remaining in a good mood (and alive) during an unplanned swim...

[kvr99]

Thanks for the feedback on wetsuits/drysuits gentlemen.

Incidentally, I didn't ask about this because I planned on heading out to Champlain to do a little cold-water swim practice and to test the rescue skills of my fellow paddlers.   I asked because it only seems prudent to be prepared for a worst-case scenario. 

While I personally have attended 8-10 pool sessions this year (mostly with CUKC 'cause Sundays don't always work for me), and while my self-rescue feels excellent, one never knows how things will feel out there in flood conditions in ice-cold water (having never tried it before), so I thought I'd just ask about safety.

Of course I realize your comments weren't directed at me personally Christian.  ;-)  And I know you know how much I appreciated the patience and helpfulness of club members during my first season last year.  Sincerely.   

See you at the pool session tonight.
 

[ChristianG]

Hey all!

I have work to do this afternoon. And weather is crap. And I did not do any good to my toe yesterday carrying my 50 lbs creekboat... So I will pass on Champlain today. Too bad, as the level is great now but going down.

BTW, a complete dry suit is not absolutely necessary for paddling at Champlain in the spring. A good dry-top with fleece etc. and good neoprene pants or farmer-John will do as long as you don't swim for too long. Remember, the surfer dudes only wear wet suits, and they swim every time.

In order for your eventual swims to be short, if your roll isn't 100%, you can ask a more experienced friend to keep and eye on you, and you should have a whistle attached to your vest!

However, tonight is the second last club pool session at the University of Ottawa pool, see the forum topic for directions. Attendance has been rather low recently. For those who are worried about swimming at Champlain because of a less-than-100% reliable roll, it's a great opportunity to work on that skill, and the main reason we make the effort each spring to organise this. As I wrote above, it may be ok to ask a more experienced paddler friend to keep an eye on you while playing at Champlain, but if you do that while making no effort to make your self-rescue skills 100% reliable by taking advantage of opportunities like pool sessions, they may tire of their babysitting role... 

Cheers!

--C.

[Paul Potvin]

Revised arrival schedule now 3:15-3:30

Paul:)

[JohnCyr]

Is everyone still going regardless of the weather? I think we will be heading out there!

[jonyak]

Swimming at champlain is pretty much not a good idea, I would go so far as to say not to do it at all. We have had a couple swims this season and it takes a long time to perform a rescure and because of how the spot is set up it is very exhausting and requires a boat over boat rescue.

I wear dry pants and dry top, with fleece long underwear underneath and it keeps me very warm.

I wish I had a drysuit.

[rgplouffe819]

definitely highly recommended.  Personally I think its necessary.  One swim and yikes.

[kvr99]

What would you guys recommend wearing today?  Is a full drysuit recommended/necessary?  If so, what do you wear under one of those?

[jonyak]

Wanna go but I tool home someone elses drytop last week, and its about 2 sizes too small for me.   

[rgplouffe819]

anybody planning on going to champlain earlier?

[ChristianG]

Should be there too!

[Paul Potvin]

I should be there at 2PM, 3 at the latest. The level is awsome right now , had a blast today!

Paul