Spring Paddling Considerations

By Rich Macha

For many paddlers, it has been a long time since their most recent outing, so, with the warmer temperatures of spring, the urge to get out on the water is strong. While there are many positives to an early season paddle on a fair spring day, there remains one major negative – the water is still cold and, if you fall in, the consequences can be drastic.

What happens to your body when you accidentally fall into cold (40 to 50 degree) water? If your head goes under, you may experience a “gasp reflex,” start swallowing water, and 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 drop, and hypothermia, an unnatural drop in body temperature, will set in within 30 minutes. You will likely be unconscious in 60 minutes. Your results could be better if you are wearing a properly-fitted PFD (personal flotation device, aka life vest), even better if you are also wearing a wetsuit, and better yet if you’re wearing a dry suit. Due to a lack of natural insulation, lean people will likely fare worse than overweight folks – life is not fair!

In New York, 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 available. Obviously, it is safest to just wear one all the time.

What else can paddlers do to improve their safety? 

Do not wear any cotton clothing – Wet cotton does not insulate and can suck the heat right out of your body. Bring a change of non-cotton clothing in a dry bag and attach it to your vessel.

Check the weather forecast for the area you expect to paddle – Pay extra attention to the wind direction and intensity, especially if you intend to head out onto open water. A paddle on a narrow flatwater stream is generally safer than a paddle on a lake.

Paddle with others – Preferably all participants will have practiced doing assisted rescues. Solo trips can be very rewarding but the risk is increased. Having practiced self-rescue skills, staying close to shore, and making conservative decisions all help to make for a safer outing.

Other considerations:

Waterbodies in the lowlands should be ice-free by the time you read this but higher elevation Adirondack lakes and ponds may not open up until mid- to late-April. The dirt roads that access some desirable Adirondack paddling destinations, such as Lake Lila and Boreas Ponds, are closed for mud season and do not open until May or June. For updates, check the NYS DEC website’s “Backcountry Information for the Adirondack Park” page: dec.ny.gov.

Whitewater paddlers love the high waters of springtime but if you do not have the skills, you are best to stay away from fast water. River-running or float trips on streams like the Battenkill can be fun but do some research on the best water levels (for the Battenkill, 4.5 to 5.5 feet on the Battenville gage). High waters can be very dangerous. Most of the Battenkill is rated Class 1 on the scale of river difficulty – low in difficulty, yet dangers lurk in the occasional strainer (a downed tree that blocks all or part of the stream) where good maneuvering skills are advantageous.

I recall fondly day trips on the tidal Hudson River south of Albany and exploring its tributaries and marshes, as well as pre-blackfly season Adirondack camping trips on Putnam Pond. Paddlers have to make a little extra effort in springtime but the experiences gained can be extremely rewarding.

A lover of wild places, Rich Macha has led many trips for the Adirondack Mountain Club and has spent 20 years in the paddle/snowsport business. For more of Rich’s adventures, visit: northeastwild.blogspot.com.