Safety
The canoe trip may be organized and carried out in completely safe way. Winter canoeing is not a form of proving your paddling skills, but is an opportunity to commune with the wild nature. Bear in mind, that winter trips should be planned especially carefully. No one can canoe individually, and the best solution is to organize a group of several kayaks. You should objectively estimate your psychophysical condition: don’t overexert yourself. The sections should be planned carefully, possible weather breakdowns and emergent situations on the trail should be taken into consideration.
The satisfaction and safety of the canoe trip is influenced by the following factors:
The canoeists have to be appropriately experienced, be healthy and physically fit.
The chosen river should be known for canoeists and contain a small number of obstacles (possible ice blockades); it should also have a calm current. Capsizing should be definitely excluded – under the winter conditions it is not only unpleasant but hazardous as well.
There should be an option to cease the trip and evacuate at any time.
The appropriate equipment and protective gear is necessary: (the throwlines, PFDs, bags, axes, safety sheets, the first-aid kit).
You should wear the lifejacket – the winter clothing do not guarantee floatation.
You should take the food with you (sweets ensure fast energy regeneration) as well as hot beverages in the special thermoses.
You shouldn’t forget about the throwlines (It’s worth to mention, that during the winter canoe trip, the throwline may become a disposable article – when immersed and frozen it will not perform its function again).
Because the kayak and paddle quickly covers with ice, the only sensible solution is to use the polyethylene kayaks. The polyester kayaks, so-called “glass staff”, may not withstand skipping of the icy crust.
Dry clothes in stock (spare shoes, gloves, cap or headband), packed in the waterproof bag, are a security in case of getting wet – it’s worth to have even two of these sets, the kayaks are so capacious that there would be no problem in packing the additional clothes.
Clothing: the canoeist’s clothing should consist of several layers:
Underwear: the most appropriate solution is to put on the warm, quickly drying and removing the sweat outside underwear. Wearing the cotton clothing should be avoided, close to the body especially. The wet cotton cools the body very fast. It’s worth to invest in underwear made of the polypropylene or fleece.
The jacket: it shouldn’t pass the wind through but it should be made of a breathable fabric, Gore-Tex preferably.
Head covering: Desirably, the neoprene cap, covering the ears, providing the proper temperature of the head which, due to all statistics, returns the most of the body’s heat and as a result needs it at most.
Gloves: wind-resistant and preferably waterproof, they prevent the energy loss. Under no circumstances, they cannot limit hand’s performance or weaken the grasp of the paddle. You can also use hands covering fastened to the paddle.
Shoes: latex or neoprene waterproof shoes or socks protects the feet. If the water is extremely cool, the neoprene shoes may be insufficient protection, especially if they are zipped up. It’s also worth to use the sailing boots, that are adjusted to especially difficult sea conditions.