Fall Paddling

Safety Tips, Favorite Gear and Places To Go

By Alan Mapes

Gliding down a placid stream, watching the bow wake of my canoe as it sends out wavelets through the reds, oranges and purples of the fall leaf reflections – what could be better than fall paddling? Autumn is hands-down my favorite season for outdoor activities. Here is a rundown on fall paddling – some safety tips for cooler waters, my favorite gear for the colder weather paddling, and a few spots to go for nice fall outings by small boat.

The rewards of fall paddling are many. The air is crisp, and the heat and humidity of summer are gone. Leaf color is spectacular as it reflects off the water. Fewer people are on the water as things get colder. That is especially nice this year, when more and more people have flocked to the outdoors for solace and something to do. The reduced motorboat activity makes things more pleasant for paddling.

With the cooling waters comes a concern for paddling safety. Cold water injures or kills some paddlers every year. Please keep in mind the possibility of an unexpected swim and be prepared if it happens. You may be out on a day when the air feels warm, but the water temperature is what to prepare for. Maybe you have not yet fallen out of a canoe or kayak, or off a standup paddleboard, but I sure have. 

One author describes cold water danger as a “1-10-1 Rule.”

• 1 minute – Cold shock can take you out this fast. When your body is exposed to cold water, especially on bare skin, a gasp reflex can set in – you gasp for air uncontrollably. If your head is underwater, you may gasp water into your lungs and never make it back to the surface.

• 10 minutes – The rapid draining of heat away from your body will take away the ability to use your hands and other body parts. Very quickly, it becomes hard to even hang on to an overturned boat. Even a strong swimmer may have only a 50-50 chance of making it 30 yards to shore.

• 1 hour – Hypothermia can set in this amount of time or less, depending on how well you are dressed for immersion.

How do you stack the deck in your favor while paddling in cold waters? – Paddle with a friend – They can get help, or perform the simplest of rescues, with the “swimmer” grabbing the boat’s back carry handle and being towed to shore. Always, always wear your life jacket – If it does not fit comfortably, get one that does. 

Know the water temperature beforehand – Current readings are available for major lakes and rivers from sources online. Dress for getting wet – Nylon, polyester and wool clothing are appropriate. The old saying “cotton kills” is not a joke. Cotton absorbs water and holds it, keeping you cold. Poly fleece and wool are warm when wet, providing a margin of safety. 

Stay near shore or on protected waters – A sudden boat wake can turn over an inexperienced paddler in an instant. Remember that the sun goes down earlier in fall – Plan your trip accordingly and be sure to carry the “white light” as required by the Coast Guard. It is not required that you display a light after dark, but you must have one ready to show to avoid collision.

Know when to cut off your late season paddling, depending on your skills and your gear – As water temperature gets down toward 50 degrees, you really need some specialty clothing to be safe. A wetsuit is the lower cost alternative, but as the name says, you still get wet when in the water. The ultimate solution is a dry suit, but that is a costly item, used by serious cold-water paddlers. 

There is no substitute for training and experience – Classes in paddling safety are a challenge to find this pandemic year, but taking one will give you a huge leg up on staying safe. Lots of material can be found online and will help, but that knowledge works best with actual practice.

Here are some of my favorite bits of gear for colder weather paddling – Visit your local paddle shops; many quality shops advertise in this magazine. Talk to the knowledgeable staff and they will show you some great gear for fall paddling.

A fleece winter hat, I have one with a brim to shade my eyes – Remember the old adage “If your feet are cold, put on a hat.” Poly underwear top and bottoms – If I get too warm, I can pull up the sleeves to cool down.

Neoprene paddling gloves and/or pogies – Pogies are hand covers that attach to the paddle shaft. Waterproof outer layer like a pair of rain pants and a rain jacket – Or a paddling top and paddling pants.

Paddling boots – I have mukluks that are nearly knee-high, made of neoprene with a fleece lining. Warm, dry feet are a wonderful thing! A waterproof dry bag for items you bring along – I also have a separate dry pouch for my cell phone. Having the phone handy is a big safety factor in itself.

In my waterproof bag is an extra set of dry clothes. I may need them if I get wet, or they may get used to help someone else. As with any outdoor activity in colder weather, food and water are really important. Your internal furnace needs stoking with snacks, and your body will not stay warm without proper hydration. I always have granola bars in my PFD pocket and have at least a quart of water along. The British kayaking manual calls for “hot tea, or a way to make it.”

Enjoy the great fall paddling season and watch for me on the water – Here are a few places to enjoy fall paddling in Eastern New York: Northwest Bay Brook on Lake George; Dunham’s Bay Marsh on Lake George; Round Lake and its outlet the Anthony Kill; Dunham Reservoir at Grafton Lakes State Park; Thompson’s Lake in Berne; Mohawk River to Flight Lock Road (Alcathy’s boat launch) in Waterford; Hudson River from Spier Falls to Corinth; or Bethlehem Town Park to Papscanee Creek (go at high tide).

My friend, Rich Macha, adds some fall suggestions – Adirondack lakes and streams (do these before Columbus Day for best color): Indian Lake, West Lake and Canada Lake to Stewart Landing, Kunjamuk River, Fall Stream (of course!), South Bay of Lake Champlain, and Poultney River near Whitehall. Other areas: Otsego Lake and Shadow Brook from Glimmerglass State Park (near Cooperstown), and the Hudson River (Coxsackie/Stockport area).

Alan Mapes (alanmapes@gmail.com) is a kayak instructor and guide, certified by the American Canoe Association. He lives near Saratoga Springs and offers kayak instruction through Capital District Kayakers Meetup.