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quenyaistar
Since 21 Oct 2011
416 Posts
Cougar, WA
Obsessed
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 Wed Nov 02, 11 4:57 pm Winter wetsuit thickness? |
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Those that kite in the winter months, what thickness wet suit do you use?
Patagonia makes a wool lined wet suit that is mega expensive, has anyone tried wearing quality long underwear under your wet suit for the same effect?
What are your thoughts on the chemically heated kidney belts?
I am not looking forward to body dragging during my first lesson, which will probably happen this month or next month. I want to be good to go for this Spring.
Any other tips for staying warm in the winter
I have a slippery when wet flotation device from my jet ski days, that is also an insulated jacket. It has neoprene velcro wrist bands and neck, and waist belt. It is kinda baggy and I might have trouble getting my kite belt around it. Any thoughts on it usefulness when kite boarding? |
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BKA
Since 19 May 2011
43 Posts
Harrison
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| Wed Nov 02, 11 6:15 pm |
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welcome to kiteboarding! I would have to say that any decent kite school will have you covered and make sure you have good warm gear to learn with because if your cold during your lesson your obviously not going to have much fun.
hooded 5/4/3 or 6/5/4 wetsuits are probally going to be whats keeping you warm or drysuits in the winter depending on water locations. |
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kenja
Since 19 Jun 2008
179 Posts
Stoked
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| Wed Nov 02, 11 6:28 pm |
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| I've used a 4/3 all Winter for many seasons. I put on a hooded vest, booties, and neoprene gloves and duct tape the legs and arms. It works like a charm. Keeping the water from flushing is the key. I bought a drysuit a couple years back but it is unnecessary. |
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blancoh2o
Since 15 Mar 2005
1154 Posts
Oregon
Phishy
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| Wed Nov 02, 11 6:40 pm |
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As far as I know, all the Gorge kite schools are closed for the off-season.
I would consider traveling to South Padre Island, TX or La Ventana Mexico and taking lessons there. You can then come back here and buy your gear including a good wetsuit knowing that you actually do love kiteboarding.
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KB4C!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://kb4c.rallyup.com/kb4c/286ef9/Member |
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quenyaistar
Since 21 Oct 2011
416 Posts
Cougar, WA
Obsessed
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| Wed Nov 02, 11 7:06 pm |
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@blancohto....I bet I could buy all my equipment for what that trip would cost, especially with all the good used equip for sale on this site.....it would be fun though  |
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stringy
Since 23 Jun 2006
1734 Posts
vancouver
XTreme Poster
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| Wed Nov 02, 11 7:12 pm |
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I would also consider a local (semi-local) school and beach. check out Locust Beach in Bellingham. Yes it is quite the drive at about 4.5 hours from vancouver but it is worth it for the wind and water conditions.
Bellingham kiteboarding teach lessons all winter long and provide their own kites and drysuits. I'm mentioning this because the conditions at locust are some of the best in the state for learning. nice shallow water in a safe bay setting.
These guys have been teaching in the winter for a number of years.
It's nice to use the shop kites, but even nicer to use their drysuits and it gives you an idea if that is the direction you want to go for winter conditions.
as for wetsuits, up here in the puget sound, you'll see quite a few kiters out now (our season is now in full swing!) I use a 4/3 hyperflex and today I felt a tad cold, threw the npx hoodie over my suit for the session. readings said it was mid 40 degree with a 40 degree windchill.
just picked up the npx drysuit which is a much different feel than the wetsuit against your skin. i kind of wish I wore that suit today.
As for layering underneath your wetsuit, I'll do this with a insulated rashie but figure it would be difficult to pull up your suit if you're wearing long johns.
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www.jimstringfellow.com |
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MasViento
Since 03 Mar 2009
235 Posts
97031
Stoked
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SpaceRacer
Since 04 Nov 2007
434 Posts
Obsessed
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 1:52 pm 2011 Ocean Rodeo Pyro LT used once for sale $599 |
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PM me if interested.
Paul |
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Youkai
Since 08 Feb 2010
553 Posts
Beaverton
Addicted
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 2:49 pm |
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I used a 5/4 last year at ponds and was ok. The biggest help was getting a hood; keeping the water off of your head and neck helps a lot.
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Captain kook; always wrong. |
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Reaper356
Since 10 Dec 2006
781 Posts
Salem / LC Oregon
Opinionated
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 3:13 pm |
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I have a 5/4 suit, 6/5 boots, 1.5 mil hunting gloves with polyester palms. Works good in the ocean - I can float without extra floatation.
Coldest water I've had that in is 37 at Fern Ridge - it was snowing with a wind chill of 21. I learned that it's important to cover everything because your hands stop working in a few minutes if you go down without gloves.
- Don't forget your buddy during a winter session.
- Don't go in the ocean during the winter if the locals aren't out. |
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quenyaistar
Since 21 Oct 2011
416 Posts
Cougar, WA
Obsessed
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 3:35 pm |
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So nobody likes dry suit?
Why not? |
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Nak
Since 19 May 2005
4275 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 5:02 pm |
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| quenyaistar wrote: | So nobody likes dry suit?
Why not? |
I swear by my Kokatat drysuit and Atan Hot Mistral booties. 20 degree air temp and 35 degree water and I was toasty warm. Well, not my hands. Still looking for some REALLY good gloves. Something 3 mil and flexible, yet toasty warm in wet, 20 degree air. It's technically possible, just nobody making it yet--at least not that I've found.
Con: It's harder to body drag upwind in a drysuit. |
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Mark
Since 20 Jun 2005
3678 Posts
I need my fix because I'm a
Naishaholic
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| Thu Nov 03, 11 5:17 pm |
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Agree with Mike. A full gortex drysuit (so it breaths) is wonderful. Use to hate having to wrestle out of a wet suit when its freezing out. Much nicer to be wearing warm dry clothes.
Kokatat makes a great drysuit.
_________________
Cleverly disguised as an adult...
www.naishkites.com |
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Sasquatch
Since 09 Mar 2005
2099 Posts
PNW
Bigfoot
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| Fri Nov 04, 11 10:18 am Re: Winter wetsuit thickness? |
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| quenyaistar wrote: | Those that kite in the winter months, what thickness wet suit do you use?
Patagonia makes a wool lined wet suit that is mega expensive, has anyone tried wearing quality long underwear under your wet suit for the same effect?
What are your thoughts on the chemically heated kidney belts?
I am not looking forward to body dragging during my first lesson, which will probably happen this month or next month. I want to be good to go for this Spring.
Any other tips for staying warm in the winter
I have a slippery when wet flotation device from my jet ski days, that is also an insulated jacket. It has neoprene velcro wrist bands and neck, and waist belt. It is kinda baggy and I might have trouble getting my kite belt around it. Any thoughts on it usefulness when kite boarding? |
Hey quenyaistar: I'm going to answer your q's one at a time starting from the top.
1# The Patagonia suit is expensive relative to other suits out there, but the words is they are very comfortable and super warm and have an unmatched warranty.
2# Interesting idea on the chemically heated kidney belts, but doesn't that require a microwave to heat? The add bulge which will cause added stress on your wetsuit seams and will be a pain in the ass to place in and out. That goes without saying that the kidney belts are placed right where your seat or waist harness will be. Finally, if your going for kidney belts (added weight), you might as well get some ankle weights, too. (joke. Someone posted yrs ago about using ankle weights so they could ride a bigger kite http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-3808.html&highlight= ).
3# I believe you stated above or were meaning to say that you were looking forward to body dragging soon, like this month or next month and that you want to be good to go for next Spring.
Those are good goals and intensions, but realize this, not many people ride in the river or lakes this time of year for many reasons. The typically NW winds on the ocean that translate to West winds on the Columbia are gone. If rain comes in sometimes one will get some SW wind and more common this time of year to March or April are the strong and nukie east wind (nukie means very strong winds with lots of variances; not a good condition for a newbie). In March and April the West winds come back and the eastern gorge spots are money (but little to no beach access due to high water. Learning water ie water that is shallow is a rare commodity in Spring.) Sometimes Hood River and Stevenson gets these winds as well.
The people that do ride in these winter months are very experienced and are up OUT of the water most of the time. Their feet, hands and face get the coldest, but they deal with it and usually have drysuits or the thickest of wetsuits. The people that are telling you that a 4/3 suit is fine are probably very good riders, but are living on the edge as if they have a kitemare are stuck in the river for very long, they are going to be goners.
You on the other hand want to try and bodydrag now and what it sounds like, into winter months. Bodydragging takes lots of the warmth out of you and if something goes wrong, there probably will be no other kiters around to help you out. Body warmth also equals coordination with your muscles. And are not used to kiting so those muscles are going to be weak to begin with. Add cold to the equation and your not going to have a very long body dragging session and or if you do, it won't be a good experience for you.
Hopefully if you decide on doing this you can find a lesson or a experienced kiter friend who will support you with a boat or jet ski.
Keep up the stoke, but my advice is to listen to everyone else. If you want to get a head start on next Spring, fly your trainer kite so you can do it with you eyes closed and know where it is by feel. Save your money and don't purchase a dry suit. Instead, spend to money and go to SPI down in Texas next Spring. Warm, shallow water. That will give you the best bang for your buck. Then purchase a good hooded 5/4/3 or 5/4 for Spring on the Columbia. The water that time of year is still some of the coldest of the year as the snows are melting in the mountain.
#4 Best way to stay warm in the winter is go to some place that is warm ie Maui, SPI, La Ventana and stay out of the NW waters.
#5 Jet skiing gear is designed for Jet skiing. Definately save your "Slippery When Wet" floatation device, but use it only when listening to BON JOVI and or riding a jet ski.
If you want a vest, kite specific floatation vests and vests with a built-in harness are available at any outfitted kite retailer. [url][/url] |
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BigR
Since 05 Jul 2005
372 Posts
White Salmon
Obsessed
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| Fri Nov 04, 11 12:41 pm |
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| Quote: | | Still looking for some REALLY good gloves. Something 3 mil and flexible, yet toasty warm in wet, 20 degree air. It's technically possible, just nobody making it yet--at least not that I've found. |
The whole key is that you need good contact with the bar. When it gets below
50 air temp, the first part that loses feeling are my hands.
Full gloves/mitts do not let you grip the bar/boom properly esp. 3 mm and above.
So the solution is to find open palm mitts/gloves which have an open section
cut out only on the area where your palms grip the bar. Not sure if they make them anymore. Neil Pryde used to make them, not sure if they still do |
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BigR
Since 05 Jul 2005
372 Posts
White Salmon
Obsessed
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1surfer
Since 20 Apr 2010
354 Posts
'Ualapu'e / High Rockies
Obsessed
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| Fri Nov 04, 11 5:29 pm Stay warm |
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My 3 rules to staying warm while water kiting:
1) Get an Excel 2/1 top only. Smooth skin.
2) Move to a place where the water never goes below 71' f.
3) Don't ever get in water below 70'f.
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Ozone Reo's. C&k Beach Boy Service, Windsurfing Waikiki, Hawaiian Windriders, NSRN. |
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