WINTER SAILING - ARE YOU PREPARED?
at 12.23.2009
by Pam
The Butterflys at White Rock Lake sail every Saturday all year long. Some days aren’t so bad as long as you don’t take an accidental swim or get splashed anywhere on your body that isn’t waterproofed. Unfortunately, some days can turn seriously unpleasant or flat out dangerous real quick.
During the winter, my car quickly becomes stocked with all sorts of winter sailing essentials and I seem to add to it constantly based on my experiences. This year, I’m being even more diligent because I’m also participating in the Ice Fishin winter Sunfish series at Rush Creek on Sundays. We’re not sailing very far from the shore and there are bunches of really experienced Fish swarming everywhere but so far there are no committee boats on the water for rescues. Realizing that I have to either self-rescue or rely on a sailboat rescue changes my winter preparedness level.
Last weekend, I went all out in making sure I was prepared and after the sailing was over, I returned to the car and right there, in plain sight was the single most important, no exceptions anytime, piece of equipment ... my life jacket!!
So, for forgetful and quasi-experienced folks like me, I thought I’d list out my winter gear and ask people to add to it in the comments. Maybe we can develop a good checklist along with tips and tricks so everyone can benefit from our experiences.
Essential Equipment
LIFE JACKET
Safety whistle (attached to life jacket)
Water Survival
WARM HAT
Dry suit/wet suit (at best)
Wind and waterproof outer layer (at worst)
Warm, lightweight inner layer (think swim-able - fleece is good)
Boots (plan for them to get wet and choose the type accordingly)
Gloves (plan for them to get wet and choose the type accordingly)
Rule of thumb - be able to survive in the water unassisted for 30 minutes
Basics
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion
Chap-stick
Nearby or in the Car
Warm, dry, change of clothes
Towel, blanket
Cell phone
During the winter, my car quickly becomes stocked with all sorts of winter sailing essentials and I seem to add to it constantly based on my experiences. This year, I’m being even more diligent because I’m also participating in the Ice Fishin winter Sunfish series at Rush Creek on Sundays. We’re not sailing very far from the shore and there are bunches of really experienced Fish swarming everywhere but so far there are no committee boats on the water for rescues. Realizing that I have to either self-rescue or rely on a sailboat rescue changes my winter preparedness level.
Last weekend, I went all out in making sure I was prepared and after the sailing was over, I returned to the car and right there, in plain sight was the single most important, no exceptions anytime, piece of equipment ... my life jacket!!
So, for forgetful and quasi-experienced folks like me, I thought I’d list out my winter gear and ask people to add to it in the comments. Maybe we can develop a good checklist along with tips and tricks so everyone can benefit from our experiences.
Essential Equipment
LIFE JACKET
Safety whistle (attached to life jacket)
Water Survival
WARM HAT
Dry suit/wet suit (at best)
Wind and waterproof outer layer (at worst)
Warm, lightweight inner layer (think swim-able - fleece is good)
Boots (plan for them to get wet and choose the type accordingly)
Gloves (plan for them to get wet and choose the type accordingly)
Rule of thumb - be able to survive in the water unassisted for 30 minutes
Basics
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion
Chap-stick
Nearby or in the Car
Warm, dry, change of clothes
Towel, blanket
Cell phone
