A Safe Start to the Paddling Season

By Rich Macha

Although I have paddled in upstate New York every month of the year, I can’t say that I look forward to dipping my blades in the water in winter, or the fringe weeks before and after winter, when I can otherwise opt to hike or cross-country ski, snow conditions permitting. Plus, I don’t think it is a really good idea to sit on one’s butt for all 12 months of the year.

Low-elevation ponds and lakes that are located south of the Adirondack Park are usually ice-free by early April, whereas those within the Adirondacks tend to lose their cover of ice by mid to late April. Streams and rivers generally open up a bit sooner. This year seems to be progressing normally – in early April, there was open water but still a fair amount of ice on Lake George (elevation 315 feet), and most Adirondack lakes above 1,000 feet elevation were still locked in.

There are several good reasons to get out for an early-season paddle, and one very good reason not to.

The Good – The chances of having a peacefully-quiet outing are greater at this time of year since there are fewer people out, and, more importantly, fewer motorboats on bodies of water that allow them. Generally, many of the motorboats you see in spring belong to folks who are on the water for the purpose of fishing, so they spend a fair amount of time stationary as opposed to zipping by and attempting to capsize the unwary paddler. Luckily, these days many folks who fish enjoy practicing their pastime from a canoe or kayak.  

Biting flies, such as mosquitoes and black flies, are absent until the weather warms up. The infamous black flies of the Adirondacks make their unwelcome presence felt from mid-May through June so I like to get a taste of Adirondack paddling in late April and/or early May to avoid becoming their prey.

Wildlife can be observed in any season but the habits and variety can change with the seasons. Migrating birds can be especially interesting – certain species can only be seen in our area in spring or fall as they pass through to and from their breeding grounds further north. Although you can see and hear loons on Adirondack lakes and ponds in summer, witnessing their spring arrival can be a real treat.

Spring is a time of change for plant life. Deciduous trees and shrubs produce blossoms, and then their leaves grow out to soak up the sun. Wildflowers poke out of the ground and provide for a temporary dash of color that can easily be witnessed by the passing paddler.

For those who like to camp out, it is relatively easy to find unoccupied backcountry campsites outside of summer – where you can watch the sunset and don’t have to stay up really late to gaze up at that wonderful starry sky.

The Bad – The water is cold and you could die if you fall in! I wouldn’t worry too much about this if you have been taking daily cold showers throughout the winter – the rest of you should pay attention. I am willing to bet that most of you will wait until lake waters get above 70°F before you would be willing to go in for a dip in your bathing suit. So how might it feel to take an unplanned dip in 40°F or even 50°F water in your paddling clothes?

Many paddlers remain in a state of denial, claiming that they have never capsized so why would it happen now? As far as I’m concerned, if you have never capsized then you are no more than a novice paddler, no matter how many years you have been paddling. To gain that experience, it is best to do it on purpose rather than by accident – practice with your own boat in warm water, whether it be in a pool or the lake in summer, just to see what happens and what issues might come up. Learn to be rescued and how to rescue others. People who paddle alone should gain some experience in self-rescue.   

So, what happens to your body when you accidentally fall into cold water? If your head goes under, you may experience a “gasp reflex,” start swallowing water, and possibly drown. Cardiac arrest and hyperventilation are also a possibility. You will likely lose any feeling in your extremities within 10 minutes and from that point on you will be unable to help yourself. Your body temperature will start dropping, and hypothermia, an unnatural drop in body temperature, will set in within 30 minutes, and then you will be unconscious in 60 minutes. Your results could be better if you are wearing a PFD (personal flotation device, aka a life vest), even better if you are wearing a wet suit, and better yet if wearing a dry suit. Note that a dry suit will cost more than what many recreational kayakers have spent on their kayaks. Due to a lack of natural insulation, lean people will likely fare worse than overweight folks – life is not fair.

When it comes to clothing, just avoid anything made of cotton – it is slow to dry and can suck the heat right out of you when wet. A full change of clothing in a dry bag is also a good thing to have on board.

In New York State, you are required to wear a PFD on any vessel that is under 21 feet in length from November 1 through May 1, for the rest of the year a PFD has to be readily accessible. For more info, visit wearitnewyork.com. I contend that, since Adirondack waters are still being fed by melting snow during the month of May, the state should extend that time period through to June 1. However, it is just plain smart to wear a PFD all the time you are out on the water.  You are also required to have a signaling device, which for most of us is a whistle – a pea-less whistle is best because it will still work if you get water in it.

Other things you can do to ensure that your paddling excursion is safer are: staying close to shore, watching the weather (especially the wind intensity and direction), paddling with others, and making conservative decisions.

My intention here has not been to scare you (ok, maybe just a little) but to educate – to be a knowledgeable paddler is much better than being an ignorant one.

For more info on cold water survival watch “Cold Water Boot Camp USA” videos on YouTube or visit coldwaterbootcamp.com.

A lover of wild places, Rich Macha has led many trips for the Adirondack Mountain Club, and has spent 20 years in the paddlesport/snowsport business. More of Rich’s adventures can be found at northeastwild.blogspot.com.