Can you kayak in winter?

Think about it and the answer is obvious. Kayaking began as an Arctic activity in ice-cold water – for the Inuit, hunting from a kayak was vital, even with icebergs drifting past in summer.

Paddling in winter is a special experience. You usually have the water to yourself, sounds are muffled and there are no motorboats or jet skis. Rain and snow are not a big problem – the kayak and spray deck cover about three quarters of your body, and your arms and shoulders keep moving.

Safety first

The quiet and solitude also bring challenges. Help is often further away and the water temperature demands respect. You need bigger safety margins than in summer:

• If you are inexperienced, don’t paddle alone, and stay close to shore.
• Think it through in advance: what do I do if I capsize? Can I release the spray deck wearing thick mittens? Test before you go. Read our guide to kayak rescue techniques.
• Watch out for ice. You can cross short stretches of ice with ice picks, but floes can pile up in narrow channels with current or strong wind. It may be clear when you set off and a slush of ice when you return.
• Darkness falls fast. Always carry a kayak light or another white light.

What to wear for winter kayaking

Roughly speaking, a wetsuit extends your season and a dry suit lets you paddle all year. Remember that the suit only protects you for a limited time – get out of the water as quickly as possible. A dry suit doesn’t keep you warm by itself either; you need layers underneath.

• Base layer – avoid cotton. Merino wool stays warm when damp, doesn’t itch and smells less than synthetics.
• Feet – usually fine deep inside the kayak with wool socks and neoprene shoes. Rubber boots rarely fit and are easy to lose if you end up in the water.
• Hands – the trickiest part. Neoprene gloves stay warm even when wet. On top, use pogies – large mitts attached to the paddle shaft. Bring two pairs of gloves; wet gloves after a coffee break are no fun.
• Head – if your dry suit has no hood, a neoprene hood, a balaclava or a sports beanie keeps you warm.
• On land – paddling keeps you warm; it is on land you get cold. Pack a warm down jacket and dry clothes in a dry bag.

Our own dry suits, such as Havspaddeln Valkyria and Havspaddeln Inuit, are made for kayaking. Want to try one first? Rent a dry suit from us on Långholmen in Stockholm.

Winter kayaking checklist

• Dry suit
• Wool base layer
• Warm outer layer, ideally a down jacket, for breaks on land
• Proper gloves – preferably two pairs
• Dry change of clothes in a dry bag
• White light
• Life jacket, pump, paddle float and phone in a waterproof case
• And not least: plenty of good judgement

The music at the ice edge

With some paddling experience, proper clothing and common sense, you can enjoy a winter day on the water. I remember sliding over the ice edge with my ice picks on a clear February day. The kayak went silent as it slipped into the black water, and past the point another paddler sat completely still by the shore, head bowed. Before I could ask if he needed help, he looked up and smiled:

– I’m listening to the music, he said. It was the ice crystals tinkling against the rocks.

Enjoy your paddle!