Clothes for rowing and kayaking

Short answer: On the water you are exposed to wind and spray while your arms work hard. The combination of wet clothes and wind is the coldest there is. A thin inner layer that dries quickly and a completely dry set waiting on land solve most of it.

Wind and water together

Wet clothes in wind cool you several times faster than wet clothes in still air. On the water you get both at once, because spray from the paddle or oars hits your sleeves and chest while the wind blows freely across the water. That is why you feel the cold sooner than on land. See long sleeve styles.

Your arms move in every direction

Every stroke stretches the fabric across your shoulders and back, and it happens hundreds of times on a trip. A layer that pulls across the shoulder blades soon becomes annoying and can rub at the armhole. Choose something with give and enough room across the back when you lean forward. See bamboo sweatshirt for men.

The inner layer needs to dry fast

The layer closest to your skin gets damp from both sweat and spray. The faster it can get rid of that moisture, the less cold you feel when you rest and drift on the water. A thin layer dries faster than a thick one, so it is better to build warmth with several thin layers than with one heavy one.

Avoid cotton next to the skin

Cotton soaks up water and holds on to it. Once a cotton top is wet, it stays cold for the rest of the trip, because it dries slowly and clings to your body. This is especially true in wind. Wear a layer that does not hold water instead, and save the cotton for later, when you are back on land and dry.

Layers you can adjust on the way

Heading out into the wind you work hard and get warm, and heading home with the wind behind you, you can start to feel cold. A mid layer that is easy to take off and put on makes it simpler to keep up. Pack it in a dry bag in the boat or kayak so it stays dry.

Dry clothes wait on land

After the trip everything is damp, even the clothes that never touched the water. A completely dry set waiting in the car or the clubhouse is not a luxury but a necessity. Remember a pair of dry socks too, because cold wet feet make it hard to warm up again. See socks for men.

Change quickly after the trip

Many people get cold in the time between landing and getting into dry clothes. Your body is still warm from the work, but the wet clothes draw the heat out as soon as you stand still. So change right away, before you tidy up and rinse your gear. Start with your upper body and feet.

Washing and care

Clothes that have been on the water should be rinsed and washed soon after the trip, especially after salt water. Wash at a moderate temperature and let them air dry, so they keep their shape longer. Keep two sets of inner layers if you can, so a clean and dry one is always ready.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it so cold on the water

Because wind and moisture work together. Wet clothes in wind cool you several times faster than in still air, and on the water you get spray and wind at the same time.

What should you wear

A layer that dries quickly and gives room over the shoulders, a mid layer you can take on and off, plus a completely dry set waiting on land.

What should you avoid

Cotton next to the skin. It soaks up the water and stays cold for the rest of the trip, because it dries slowly and clings to your body.