Here at NorthShore Watersports, we know that kayaking and canoeing aren’t just for the warmer months. Heading out onto the water in autumn and winter is hugely popular among paddlers; the different weather and water conditions make for an entirely new watersports experience than you’d get in the calmer spring and summer seasons, plus the landscape offers incredible scenery and photo opportunities!

Some of the best adventures can be had during winter, but winter kayaking and canoeing present a few obstacles you really need to be prepared for. To help ensure you can enjoy winter watersports safely, we’ve put together a guide, including clothing essentials, safety tips and the canoeing or kayaking kit you’ll need with you.

Invest in Winter Watersports Clothing

When it comes to winter kayaking and canoeing, making sure you’re dressed appropriately is one of the most crucial tips we have for you. 

Going out in the water unprepared and without the right clothing could easily cause your core body temperature to drop and lead to hypothermia, which has dangerous results and can be deadly.

With this in mind, wearing proper watersports clothing designed to reduce the amount of water able to touch your skin is paramount to your safety and comfort.

Essential Clothing Checklist:

• Helmet – The water can get rough in winter, so it’s crucial to protect yourself against unexpected bumps with a helmet.
• Drysuit – Expensive but worth it, this piece of kit will keep you warm and dry in bad conditions. 
• Long Underwear – A drysuit will only keep you so warm without additional layers!
• Mid-Layer – Try a fleece pullover for maximum warmth.
• Watersports Footwear – Opt for a high-quality pair of neoprene boots combined with wool socks.
• Buoyancy aid – A buoyancy aid will keep your head above water and prevent further heat loss from your head if you capsize in icy water. Plus they add an extra layer of insulation.

Read our full blog on what to wear kayaking in winter for our full breakdown of winter wear essentials in more detail.

Essential Winter Canoeing & Kayaking Kit

As well as winter watersports clothing, it’s also imperative that you have packed the correct safety and rescue kit and your boat itself is prepared for the season. The correct canoeing or kayaking gear is crucial for paddling any time of year, but it’s particularly important that you get the right kit during the colder months. Here are the essentials you need:

• Spray deck – If you’re setting off for some winter kayaking, attach a spray deck to your kayak before launching. Spray decks, or spray skirts, work to prevent water from getting into your boat to ensure a warmer and drier paddle.

• Whistle – Easy to pack in your boat’s storage compartment or in your pocket, a whistle is key to calling for help and might come in handy if you get into trouble when it’s getting dark.

• Torch – The sun sets quicker during autumn/winter than spring/summer, so having a torch handy will make it easier to find your way back if you get lost in the evening.

• Throw line – A throw line is an important piece of canoe or kayaking gear you should always have in your boat. If you or a member of your group does end up in trouble on the water, a throw line enables them to be pulled to safety.

• First aid kit – Another essential element of your canoe or kayaking kit is a fully stocked first aid kit. Accidents can easily occur on the water, so you need to be prepared for every eventuality. 

Safety and Rescue Advice

Know Your Limits

Winter kayaking and canoeing shouldn’t be taken lightly; the risks are greater and the conditions tougher, so you need to make sure that you’re physically up to the challenge and have all the right skills you need to be safe. It’s all too easy to end up in a life-threatening situation, so if you have doubts, the best plan of action is to walk away and wait for milder weather.

As well as considering your physical and technical abilities, you also need to make sure that your canoeing or kayaking gear is up to tackling the tougher water and weather conditions to avoid causing a dangerous situation for yourself or others.

Plan a Safe Route

If you’re confident you have the skills and equipment necessary, the first thing you need to do before winter kayaking or canoeing is to check out the water conditions where you want to go. 

Look for advice on the best routes near where you live or wherever you’re going on your trip. We recommend avoiding the open sea and heading to closed bays or sheltered rivers and lakes instead, as these are likely to be safer during seasons when the wind can pick up quickly.  

Another tip worth considering is opting for a shorter route. The weather during the colder months can change rapidly from bright to stormy, so being near where you parked the car or close to camp gives you peace of mind that you don’t have to endure a long journey in poor conditions.

Plan Your Hours

Timing is another important factor when it comes to winter kayaking or canoeing. During this season, the days get shorter and darkness falls often before you’ve had a chance to realise. You might have headed out in the sunshine, but you risk coming back in the dark if you don’t plan your time carefully. We suggest starting as early as possible to get the most amount of daylight hours out of your time on the water.

Check the Weather Forecast

Checking the weather is essential before you go canoeing or kayaking in winter. You might have your heart set on this weekend, but if the forecast is high winds and frequent showers, then it’s best to take a rain-check. Hold out for a really good day where you can spend hours off-shore rather than one where you have to head back early.

Don’t Go Out Alone

In addition to the above, the best advice we can give you is to not go out on the water alone. Kayaking or canoeing in a group ensures that you’ve got people around you to watch out for signs of hypothermia and help if you capsize.

Don’t underestimate the dangers; you may have got the hang of the sport during warm, clear summer, but winter delivers a completely different environment with more challenging water and weather conditions. 

Practice Safety Techniques

Although water safety is important at any time of year, you should brush up on your safety techniques if you’re planning on winter kayaking or canoeing. To really prepare yourself for the worst, it’s worth having a few practice rescues in the warmer months to make sure you can quickly get someone back into their boat if they capsize. 

Two key water safety techniques you should be confident with are:

Rolling – not being able to do this efficiently means longer exposure to cold water.

Re-entering your kayak –  if you capsize and fall out, it’s crucial that you can get back above the surface and out of the water for the same reason.

Bring Spare Clothes

Heating yourself up if you’ve fallen in the water wearing your only set of clothes can be close to impossible, so make sure you bring a complete change of clothes inside a dry bag.

Eat Well & Pack Food

It’s very important not to paddle on an empty stomach during the colder months. You’ll always burn more calories than normal when you’re paddling, but many people fail to realise how many will be used simply to keep yourself warm. Eat plenty of carbohydrates and fats before you leave, and consider bringing a vacuum-sealed snack with you.

Double Check Before You Leave

And finally, give all your canoeing or kayaking gear a thorough check before you head out: 

• Boat – make sure there’s no damage and definitely no holes.
• Paddle – ensure your paddle isn’t wearing away from overuse.
• Clothing – should be good quality with no ripped seams.
• First aid kit – check that there’s nothing missing.
• Helmet – make sure there are no cracks.
• Torch – check the batteries work!

Follow these tips for winter kayaking or canoeing and you can ensure you’re well prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip out on the water even in the colder seasons! There’s no reason if you prepare properly and stock up on the right canoeing or kayaking gear that you can’t enjoy a safe and fun trip out on the water.

Browse our full range of watersports clothing, watersports accessories and safety and rescue equipment to tick these items off your list.