Beavertail Lighthouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drysuit for Winter Paddling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 House on the Rocks, Mile 8.5

 

Left of House on Rocks, Newport Bridge

 

I debated about traveling 2.5 hours each way to the last flat water race in New England, the Potato Race.  It was such a beautiful day, I decided to paddle to the Beavertail Navigational Can and back.  I timed it just right.  Typical conditions for Beavertail, the wind continues to build so by the time I was traveling across the Newport Bridge in my car, white caps could be seen on parts of Narragansett Bay.  I actually enjoy winter paddling more.  There were only two motor boats that I saw zooming across the bay.  So you feel as though you have the whole Bay to yourself, peaceful, with the exception of my Heart Rate Monitor to remind me that this was a tempo paddle so need to keep the pace up. This is winter paddling so I had my waterproof phone, ACR ResQline406 GPS, VhF, paddle leash, and I am wearing my Drysuit, pogies, and I told my wife where I was paddling and that I would call her when I got off the water.  I also was paddling my SEL, a very stable ski that is super easy to remount. I feel confident that i could easily get back in on one try, two max.  This is important because once you hands get cold and wet in literally a few minutes once exposed, your hands become non-functional.  So if you have the option of a more stable winter boat, paddle it.