Cold Weather & Water Paddling Tips

Fall and Winter offer some of the best paddling conditions on the California Delta. With spectacular sunsets and abundant wildlife viewing you can enjoy magical moments on the water. You may be thinking it's too cold to paddle but I'm here to let you know you can still enjoy being on the water without being cold and uncomfortable. 

First of all, the number one thing not to wear is COTTON. Cotton absorbs water and takes a very long time to dry. Do not wear cotton t-shirts or jeans when paddling. Synthetic clothing like polyester blends, fleece or wool are great options for layering. We are all unique and some of us run warmer than others. If you tend to chill easily, start with something like a rash guard or thin synthetic base layer. You can also use these year round for sun protection. Next would be a medium weight layer or wool followed by a heavy outercore or expedition weight layer. There are many manufacturers but my personal favorites are Kokatat and NRS. Check their websites for more information about their products. 

Now that you have your base layers down, you want to consider your outerwear. You should always dress for immersion or the water temperature. It can get costly but depending on how often you paddle it can be money well spent. A farmer John or farmer Jane wetsuit is a good economical choice. You can wear a base layer under and then add layers over if needed. You can pair a wetsuit with a splash jacket or dry top. If you plan on paddling often year round, I would strongly consider a drysuit. These are very expensive but offer the best protection against hypothermia. You want to wear layers under the drysuit because the drysuits main purpose is to keep you dry, not necessarily warm. Drysuits typically range in price from $600 to $1500 but are usually backed by a very good warranty and can often be repaired if needed. Be aware that the lower price suits are typically SEMI-DRY which means they are not true drysuits. They do a great job but if you were to completely submerge yourself, chances are you would get water inside. Semi-drysuits usually have a neoprene type gasket in the neck and wrist area as opposed to latex. That makes them easier to put on and take off but are prone to some leakage when submerged.

Another option is pairing dry pants with a dry top. This is a more economical option but again won't necessarily keep you completely dry if you are submerged. Again, beware of dry top and pants vs. semi-dry top and pants.

There are also many choices when it comes to footwear. I prefer wetsuit booties. I wear one to two sizes larger than normal so I can squeeze the excess drysuit socks into them. I sometimes wear my Keen sandals if I don't plan on getting out of my kayak. You definitely want footwear that can get wet and be worn comfortably especially if you want to do any hiking at a landing site.

Finally, gloves can not only help keep your hands warm but can help protect against blisters. I honestly have yet to find a pair of gloves that I love. Neoprene gloves are ok but for me, once wet, it's very hard to keep my hands warm. I'm still experimenting and will let you know if I find the perfect glove. Another option to gloves is using pogies. Pogies allow you to have direct contact with the paddle shaft yet shield your hands from cold temperatures.

Do you have to spend a thousand dollars or more to keep warm? The answer is NO. The most economically safe option is a wetsuit paired with a paddling jacket or semi-dry or dry top. If this isn't in your budget you can always wear synthetic layers and splash pants and splash jacket to help keep you dry.

Whether you wear a drysuit, wetsuit or go with synthetic layers, ALWAYS bring a change of clothes to keep in a drybag in case you do get wet.

Delta Kayak Adventures offers paddle pants or wetsuits at no additional charge to help keep you dry and toasty if you book rentals or a guided tour. 

Sacramento River - Long Island

We had a great adventure paddling the Sacramento River! We were on the water by 7:15 a.m. after launching from Rio Vista we crossed the shipping channel and  headed east up the Sacramento River. We caught the end of the incoming tide but the wind was picking up against us.

After entering the Sacramento River we glided at about 3 knots without even dipping our paddles. This part of the river is really beautiful, with the levees lined with all different types of trees. We paddled past Vieira's Resort and noticed some waterfront homes that we never knew existed. After passing Vieira's we crossed the river and entered a channel that runs behind Long Island. It's a beautiful and peaceful spot.

We almost made it around the entire island but water hyacinth hindered our progress. We turned around and made our way past the homes on Long Island via the Sacramento River. The wind picked up so we decided to start making our way back to the put in. We found a nice beach where we stretched our legs and fueled up on snacks to prepare for our adventurous return.

We had the outgoing tide in our favor but the headwind made for slow progress. Once we reached the main shipping channel the ebb tide and opposing wind made the upcoming crossing daunting. We waited a few minutes while three powerboats pounded their way through the swells. We decided to go for it and I wish I had my GoPro with me because it would have captured some great footage. We encountered 3 foot rollers with a few 4 footers thrown in from different directions. We all made it across without swimming but you wouldn't know that by how soaking wet we all were. 

Another great adventure on the California Delta!

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Sutter Slough

Yesterday a small group of paddlers including myself set off to explore Sutter slough. Sutter slough lies in the heart of the Delta just west of Walnut Grove. The Department of Water Resources currently has plans to dam this slough, Steamboat slough and False River supposedly to keep out saltwater intrusion. The rock dams are supposed to be temporary but I fear they won't have money to remove them once installed. Installing these dams will have major impacts on local farms, local marinas, recreational boaters and possibly migrating fish. For more information about the dams and the proposed tunnels visit Restore the Delta or Save the California Delta Alliance.

I wanted to explore the waters surrounding Sutter Island and document what the area is like before the dams are installed. We launched just before noon under grey skies from a levee road on Sutter Island. High tide was predicted around 3:00 for Snug Harbor/Steamboat slough and the incoming tide produced a pretty swift current which helped us on our way north.

The water clarity in both Steamboat and Sutter slough is incredibly clear even after recent storms. This part of the Delta is one of my favorite locations not only because of the water clarity but because of the natural beauty surrounding the sloughs.  Various types of oak trees and eucalyptus line the shores of the levees. Many types of waterfowl and birds of prey inhabit this area. We spotted several hawks, an owl and many blue heron while on our journey.

After 15 miles of paddling around Sutter Island we explored part of Steamboat, Sutter, Miner and Elk sloughs with a couple miles on the Sacramento river. These waters are extraordinary and hopefully will not be destroyed when the dams are put in place.

Paintersville Bridge

Fabulous spot for lunch

Sutter Island orchard

If you would like to paddle this area you can book a custom tour with Delta Kayak Adventures.